Beretta PM12

Beretta designed the Beretta PM12 (Model 12), a 9x19mm Parabellum caliber submachine gun. The Italian Carabinieri, Italian State Police, and the Guardia di Finanza began using the production that started in 1959. However, they only issued it widely beginning in 1978 in a limited number, replacing the old Beretta.

In 1962, the Italian Army purchased a limited number of Franchi LF-57 submachine guns, which they deemed superior to the Beretta PM12. However, they never issued these to the troops. They only introduced the M12. The Italian Air Force, instead bought many M12S and M12S2 for the airport security units. However the weapon had a higher initial success in the Arab countries and South America.

The weapon was first seen during the Tet Offensive in 1968 when the US Marines guarding the U.S. embassy in Saigon repelled the assault by the Viet Cong using the Beretta M12. Various South American, African and Asian countries also use it. Taurus in Brazil, FN Herstal in Belgium, and PT Pindad in Indonesia manufacture it under license.