The Heckler und Koch MP7 is a submachine gun, classed as a personal defence weapon (PDW). It went into production in 2001. Like the conceptually similar FN P90, it is very compact (340 mm) and light (1.3 kg unloaded), using mainly polymers in the construction.

The weapon allows for a conventional 20 or 40 round box magazine fitting within the pistol grip and has a ambidextrous fire-select lever and rear cocking grip. It has an extendable stock and a folding front grip. It can be fired either one- or two-handed.

It fires at a maximum rate of 950 rpm using a open bolt gas system, similar to the company's G36. The ammunition is specific to the gun and designed for good penetration and low recoil. The 4.6 mm x 30 steel bullet weighs only 1.6 g and has a velocity of 725 m/sec with a muzzle energy of 420 joules. Despite the small calibre the bullet has better penetration characteristics than the 5.7 mm x 30 round used in the P90 at the weapon's maximum range of around 200 m.