MPL

In the late 1950s, Walther began designing submachine guns in line with military and police re-arming plans in West Germany. This new submachine gun became the Walther MPL / K, and mass production began in 1963.

The Walther MP (Maschinenpistole) series is a family of 9×19mm Parabellum machine pistols produced in West Germany from 1963 to 1985 by Walther

When released, it was adopted by West German intelligence agencies, as well as US military special forces in Germany, such as the 39th Special Forces Detachment.

In West Germany, the Navy has adopted MPL, and some police agencies, just like the West Berlin Police, adopted either MPL, MPK and/or both. During the 1972 Munich Olympics and the ensuing terrorist incident, the local police was equipped with the MPL. However, most of the police officers dispatched at this time were only trained as patrol police officers and had little experience in using the MPL. The counter-terrorist unit GSG-9, which was established after the incident, adopted the H&K MP5 as their service submachine gun instead of the Walther MP. As spread of MP5 began, it would begin to eclipse the Walther MP's sales until the Walther product was discontinued.

In addition, exports to other countries were also carried out. Many countries, such as Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, only acquired the compact MPK variant. Walther MP was also used as a submachine gun for special forces in the United States. In addition to being used by US Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War, it is said to have been used in Operation Ivory Coast by the United States Army Special Forces. The Delta Force used the Walther MP during transitional period of US Army, when the M3 submachine gun was starting to get phased out in favour of the MP5. Members of the Delta Force were equipped with the Walther MP during the abortive Operation Eagle Claw.

At the end of its lifespan, its sales were sluggish. The production of the MP ended in 1983 with the final production was about 27,000 guns.

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