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Back in the 1970s-1980s, VHS was immediately associated with a Video Home System (thus, the name) created in Japan by the JVC company and which became highly popular worldwide. Nowadays, however, most people probably don’t even know what I’m talking about here on TFB. However, there’s a VHS 5.56x45mm bullpup rifle that is being used in the Iraqi War. Made in Croatia by a company called VH Produkt d.o.o. founded in 1991, whose main production facilities are now located in Karlovac, the VHS rifles are currently in official use by the Croatian Armed Forces. In December 2016, TFB showed (https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/10/21/vhs-k2-bullpup-iraq/) a single picture of the VHS in use by Iraqi Forces, with added details, via the manufacturer website, of the different rifle versions being brought to view. We have now obtained additional images of the VHS-D2 model (500mm barrel, 850mm overall length with extended stock) in the hands of Iraqi forces (Police and Security) during recent combat actions in Mosul.
The Croation-made bullpup rifle being fired from behind light cover. If you want to know the exact ejection path of empty cartridges, just ask the guy on the left, who was hit by one on the face…
A trooper holding his buddy’s shoulders while firing the VHS-D2 in Mossul. That was not to counter the very modest recoil of the 5.56x45mm rounds being fired from the 4kg+ rifle, but rather to direct him to the general threat direction.
A pretty good view of a VHS-D2 being used from inside a vehicle, ready for action with the ejection window cover open. Gun’s sights (flip rear aperture, protected front post) on top of railed carry handle are clearly visible here, as well as the integrated cartridge deflector on the cheek rest.
Sights? Who needs them? Notice that the rear sight of this gun (no front grip fitted) is mounted slightly more forward than on the other VHS-D2s shown in article. Yes, the operator here is the same guy who got the hot brass on the face
Another Iraqi trooper armed with the Croatian bullpup rifle. Can you help us ID the shoulder patch?
Iraqi soldier searching a dead (ISIL?) enemy while his friend watches with a VHS-D2, a vertical foregrip fitted to the lower STANAG 4694 rail.
Somewhere in Mossul, Iraq, a VHS-D2 takes a break in combat hanging on a wall adequately provided with a makeshift firing port. Just in case…
