The Belgian Fabrique Nationale P90 was an early example of a new concept – the Personal Defence Weapon or ‘PDW’, much more powerful than a sub-machine gun but much more compact than a rifle or carbine.

Its top-mounted magazine holds 50 rounds of 5.7 × 28 mm ammunition, which resembles rifle ammunition with its small, pointed bullet. Though capable of defeating soft body armour, its range is limited due to a small powder charge, and it produces relatively small wounds in tissue. It is therefore a niche weapon, best suited to law enforcement and specialist military units.

Due to its exotic looks, it has become popular in the world of film and television, including in the long-running ‘Stargate’ and ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2003) series.