SVD Dragunov

NOTE: This article is about SVDs featured in the main ARMA games. For other similarly named articles, you may wish to use the following links instead: For the SVD in Global Mobilization, see SVD (Global Mobilization). For the SVD in S.O.G. Prairie Fire, see SVD (S.O.G.).

The SVD Dragunov is a 7.62 mm sniper rifle featured in ArmA: Cold War Assault, ArmA: Armed Assault, ArmA 2, and ARMA Reforger.

ArmA: Cold War Assault

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The 7.62-mm Dragunov is a single-target sniper rifle designed to destroy open or screened, static or moving targets, which fires bullets in single shots. The optical sight features a comprehensive reticule which is used to measure the distance of targets from 300m to 1300m. The individual marks on the reticule represent these distances as a scale and must be calibrated before use. Weapon Description

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SVD 7.62 mm
Faction	Soviet Union Nogovan Partisans
Type	Sniper Rifle / DMR
Calibre	7.62×54 mmR
Magazine capacity	10
Dispersion	0.00003 rad
Variants	None
Games

The SVD is used by both the Soviet military, as well as in limited numbers with the Nogovan Partisans in ArmA: Cold War Assault.

Overview

The SVD is a gas operated, semi-automatic sniper rifle that is chambered to fire the 7.62×54 mm round.

It loads from 10-round curved magazines, is capable of attaining a fire rate of up to 200 rounds per minute and has a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s.

The SVD is the Soviet counterpart to the U.S. M21 sniper rifle. Like the M21, the SVD is also a semi-automatic weapon that excels in attacking targets from long ranges. Its telescopic sight has a magnification strength of 4x, which lets its operator see targets more clearly from a safe distance.

Compared to the M21, the SVD has greater stopping power over long ranges. Its main drawback is the small capacity of its magazine, which has ten rounds less than the M21. The other issue is its usage of a fixed magnification scope; the SVD's scope has a fixed magnification strength and cannot be zoomed in like the M21 is able to.

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Optics

The SVD does not have ironsights and only allows the user to aim through its scope.

The centre-left side of the reticle features a stadiametric rangefinder that can be used to measure (approximately) 1.7 metre-tall targets. From top-to-bottom in ascending order, the four chevrons at the centre represents the point of impact at 250 metres, 500 metres, 750 metres and finally 1,000 metres. The uppermost chevron can also be used to hit targets at distances of under 250 metres.

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Ammunition

Base damage value	Initial velocity (m/s)
10	900

The SVD only supports one type of magazine. It requires one free inventory slot to carry:

SVD Dragunov Mag.

10-round curved magazine.

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Trivia

• The first person level-of-detail view of the in-game SVD strangely lacks its front sight even though it remains visible in third person.

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Gallery

ArmA: Armed Assault

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The SVD was designed as a sharpshooter's rifle, rather than a sniper rifle. In fact, the main role of the SVD in the Soviet Army was to increase the effective range of an infantry squad’s fire to 600 meters by providing precision fire support. The SVD is a lightweight and accurate rifle, cabable of semi-auto fire and equipped with 4x24 PSO-1 scope. The SVD is extremely reliable in all conditions. Library Description

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SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Faction	SLA
Type	Sniper Rifle / DMR
Calibre	7.62×54 mmR
Magazine capacity	10
Dispersion	0.0005 rad
Variants	None
Games

The SVD Dragunov is used exclusively by SLA forces in ArmA: Armed Assault.

Overview

The SVD returns in Armed Assault and serves as the standard-issue weapon of SLA snipers.

It still loads from 10-round curved magazines, and has a maximum fire rate of up to 600 RPM with a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s. The SVD is always fitted with the PSO telescopic sight.

Compared to the U.S Army's M24, the SVD has identical dispersion against long distance targets but has a low-powered PSO scope that is more useful in urban areas. Consequently, it isn't nearly as easy to aim with at longer ranges and will fall off sharply against targets located beyond ~ 700 metres.

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Optics

The SVD Dragunov does not have ironsights and only allows the user to aim through its scope.

The centre-left side of the reticle features a stadiametric rangefinder that can be used to measure (approximately) 1.8 metre-tall targets. From top-to-bottom in ascending order, the five chevrons (starting from the middle) represent the point of impact at 200 metres, 400 metres, 600 metres, 800 metres and finally 1,000 metres. The uppermost chevron can also be used to hit targets at distances of under 200 metres.

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Ammunition

Base damage value	Initial velocity (m/s)
12	900

The SVD only supports one type of magazine. It requires one free inventory slot to carry:

SVD Dragunov Mag.

10-round curved magazine. Does not contain any visible tracers.

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Trivia

• Prior to Patch 1.05, the reticle markings on the SVD's optical scope were erroneously labelled and fell off sharply against targets beyond ~ 580 metres. This was eventually fixed following the patch, which correctly gave it a default zeroing of 200 metres per mark instead.

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Gallery

ArmA 2

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The SVD was designed as a sharpshooter's rifle rather than a sniper rifle. In fact the main role of the SVD in the Soviet Army was to increase the effective range of an infantry squad's fire to 600 meters by providing precision fire support. The SVD is a lightweight, accurate rifle capable of semi-auto fire and equipped with a 4x24 PSO-1 scope. The SVD is extremely reliable in all conditions. Armoury Description

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SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Faction	CDF ACR Russian Armed Forces ChDKZ Takistani Army NAPA Takistani Rebels United Nations
Type	Sniper Rifle / DMR
Calibre	7.62×54 mmR
Magazine capacity	10
Dispersion	0.00025 rad
Occupies backpack slot	No
Variants	None
Games

The SVD Dragunov is used by several BLUFOR, REDFOR and INDFOR factions in ArmA 2.

Overview

The SVD once again returns in ArmA 2 and now serves as the sniper weapon of several factions.

It still loads from 10-round curved magazines but has a reduced fire rate of only 400 RPM. Its muzzle velocity has also been reduced to only 830 m/s as opposed to 900 m/s but is still fitted with the PSO telescopic sight as standard. An alternate variant with the NSPU night vision scope attached is also available. The SVD cannot be suppressed or be fitted with laser pointers/flashlights.

With an effective range of between 800 metres and up to a maximum of 1,200 metres, it can hit distant targets with much better accuracy than the DMR while being able to fire as rapidly (as the shooter can pull the trigger) like the Mk17 Sniper due to being a semi-automatic weapon.

Compared to its American-made counterparts, it is arguably the superior weapon in that respect. Because of the low-powered zoom of the PSO scope, the SVD also performs well in built-up areas as a designated marksman rifle.

However, when it comes to absolute precision at long ranges (800 metres or more) then the SVD still falls off significantly compared to dedicated sniper rifles like the M24. Since the SVD also lacks any models that are fitted with riflescopes with variable magnification or thermal optics, its ability to effectively engage targets at those distances and poor weather conditions is limited.

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Sights

• Telescopic Sight (SVD Dragunov)
• Ironsights (SVD Dragunov)
• Night Vision Sight (SVD Dragunov/NSPU)
• Ironsights (SVD Dragunov/NSPU)

The SVD's telescopic sight can be manually zeroed starting from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 1,000 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000). By default, it utilises a zeroing of 300 metres. It is not possible to activate night vision goggles while looking through the scope.

The SVD's ironsights can be manually zeroed starting from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 1,200 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000). By default, it is set to a zeroing of 100 metres.

The SVD's night vision sight uses a fixed zeroing of 300 metres. It is not manually adjust this zeroing, nor can its night vision mode be disabled.

The ironsights on SVDs fitted with night vision sights can be manually zeroed starting from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 1,200 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200). By default, the ironsights utilise a zeroing of 100 metres.

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Camouflage

• Black
• Black - NSPU
• Woodland
• Desert

1/4

• Black: Standard matte black paint finish with a wooden stock and furniture.
• Woodland: Barrel and optic are covered in a ghillie wrap designed to blend into a forested environment. Primarily used by both Russian Army snipers and NAPA sharpshooters.
• Desert: Barrel and optic are covered in a ghillie wrap designed to blend into arid/semi-arid environments. Exclusive to Takistani Army snipers.

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Ammunition

Base damage value	Aerodynamic friction	Initial velocity (m/s)
12	-0.00096	830

The SVD only supports one type of magazine. It requires one free primary weapon magazine inventory slot to carry:

SVD Dragunov Mag.

10-round curved magazine. Does not contain any visible tracers.

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Trivia

• The desert and NSPU-equipped variants of the SVD were not initially available in ArmA 2 and were only added with the release of the Operation Arrowhead expansion pack.
• After the latest Steam version patches (as part of CorePatch), all variants of the SVD were given access to backup ironsights for their optics modes.
  • However, CorePatch also reduced the SVD's muzzle velocity from 870 m/s to only 830 m/s.
• Like the RPG-7V rocket launcher and AK-74 assault rifle, the SVD is also one of the most common firearms in ArmA 2 as it is used by almost every faction on BLUFOR and REDFOR, as well as with various INDFOR factions.

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Gallery

ARMA Reforger

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7.62×54mmR semi-automatic marksman rifle. Weapon Description

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SVD 7.62 mm
Faction	Soviet Union FIA
Type	Sniper Rifle / DMR
Calibre	7.62×54 mmR
Magazine capacity	10
Dispersion	0.400 m at 800 m
Weight	Unloaded: 3.5 kg Loaded: 3.93 kg
Variants	None
Games

The SVD is used by both Soviet military forces and FIA guerillas in ARMA Reforger.

Overview

Reforger's SVD returns once more as the standard-issue sniper/marksman rifle of Soviet and guerilla sharpshooters.

Compared to its ArmA 2 iteration, the SVD now has a higher fire rate of 700 RPM. However, its muzzle velocity has been further reduced to only 823 m/s. It is still not possible to attach a suppressor onto the SVD, though its scope mount does allow the user to mount a PSO-1 telescopic sight.

The SVD occupies 2x1 inventory slots and has a volume of 1,600 cm3. It has a Supply cost of 60 units if it is retrieved from an Arsenal Box (note that this does not include the cost of the PSO-1).

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Ironsights

The SVD's ironsights can be zeroed starting from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 1,200 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200).

By default, its zeroing is set to 100 metres. The sights are not illuminated.

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Melee

A buttstroke with the SVD will inflict 45 points of damage to the target (assuming no reductions by protective vests). It has a maximum range of 1 metre.

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Ammunition

Ammo parameters	7N1
Base damage value	130
Classification	FMJ
Aerodynamic friction	0.0000094
Initial velocity (m/s)	823
Penetration depth (mm)	10
Penetration density (g/cm3)	7.86
Penetration speed (m/s)	820
Deflection angle (degrees)	45°

The SVD can only load one type of magazine:

7.62×54mmR 10rnd SVD Mag

Standard 10-round curved magazine loaded with 7N1 ammunition. Does not contain visible tracer rounds.

The magazine occupies 1x1 inventory slots and has a volume of 150 cm3. When it is fully loaded with all ten rounds, the magazine has a weight of 0.43 kg (each individual round in the magazine weighs 0.022 kg). An emptied magazine only weighs 0.21 kg.

This magazine has a Supply cost of 1 unit if it is taken from an Arsenal Box or a Resupply Pack.

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Trivia

• The SVD originally used a default zeroing of 400 metres but was changed to 100 metres after the release of Update 0.9.5.66.
• Prior to Update 0.9.6, Reforger's SVD did not initially allow the user to switch between sight modes.
• Before the first Ground Support update, the SVD's magazines only weighed 0.210 kg. The patch subsequently refactored Reforger's weighting system and now properly accounts for each individual round inside the SVD's magazine.

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Gallery

Promotional image posted for the #ReforgerLoadout series.

External links

• Wikipedia: SVD (rifle)

See also

Weapons of comparable role and configuration

• M24 (USMC/U.S. Army counterpart, ArmA 2 only)
• M21 (U.S. counterpart, ArmA: CWA/ARMA Reforger only)

Soviet Union - Armoury (ArmA: Cold War Assault)
Handguns	Tokarev TT-33 7.62 mm
Submachine guns	PP-19 Bizon 9 mm • Sa-61 Scorpion 7.65 mm
Carbines	AK-74 SU 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GL)
Sniper rifles	SVD 7.62 mm
Machineguns	PK 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	6G30
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • AT-4 Spigot • RPG-75NH
Static	M2
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

FIA - Armoury (ArmA: Cold War Assault)
Handguns	92F 9 mm* • CZ-75 9 mm* • Tokarev TT-33 7.62 mm*
Submachine guns	Ingram .45* • UZI 9 mm*
Shotguns	Kozlice*
Assault rifles	AK-47 7.62 mm* (AK-47 GL*, AK-47 CZ*) • AK-74 5.45 mm • AUG A1 5.56 mm* • FN-FAL 7.62 mm • G3A4 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	Hunting Rifle 7.62 mm • SVD 7.62 mm*
Machineguns	PK 7.62 mm*
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2* • M72 LAW* • RPG-75NH*
(Parenthesis) denote variants. * primarily used by the Nogovan Partisans in the Resistance campaign

Weapons of ArmA: Armed Assault
Handguns	M9 9 mm • Makarov 9 mm
Submachine guns	MP5A5 9 mm (SD6)
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm • M4A1 5.56 mm (M4A1 GL, M4, M4 GL)
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 + GP-25, AKS-74 PSO) • G36 series (G36, G36C, G36K) • M16A2 5.56 mm (M203) • M16A4 5.56 mm (GL)
Designated marksman rifles	Mk12 SPR 5.56 mm
Sniper rifles	KSVK 12.7 mm • M107 .50 • M24 7.62 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	M249 SAW 5.56 mm
Machineguns	M240 7.62 mm • PKM 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	6G30
Launchers	9K32 Strela • FIM-92F Stinger • Javelin Launcher • M136 • RPG-7V
Static	AA Pod • AT Tripod • AGS-30 • D-30 • DShKM • M2 • M119A1 • Mk. 19 • Searchlight
(Parenthesis) denote variants. Queen's Gambit

SLA - Armoury (ArmA: Armed Assault)
Handguns	Makarov 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm*
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 + GP-25, AKS-74 PSO)
Sniper rifles	KSVK 12.7 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Grenade launchers	6G30
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm*
Launchers	RPG-7V* • Strela-2 9K32
Static	AA Pod • AT Tripod • AGS-30 • D-30 • DShKM • Searchlight
(Parenthesis) denote variants. * denotes weapons also used by the Resistance sub-faction. Queen's Gambit

CDF - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	Makarov 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GP-25, AKS-74) • AKS 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • RPG-7V
Static	AGS-30 • D-30 • DShKM • 2B14 Podnos • Searchlight • SPG-9 • ZU-23
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

Russian Armed Forces - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	Makarov 9 mm
Submachine guns	PP-19 Bizon 9 mm
Shotguns	Saiga 12K
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-107 5.45 mm (AK-107 GP-25)
Designated marksman rifles	VSS Vintorez 9 mm
Sniper rifles	KSVK 12.7 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machineguns	PKP 7.62 mm • PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K38 Igla • 9K115-2 Metis-M • RPG-7V • RPG-18
Static	2B14 Podnos • AGS-30 • D-30 • Igla AA Pod • KORD • Metis AT-13 • Searchlight
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

ChDKZ - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	Makarov 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GP-25, AKS-74) • AKM 7.62 mm • AKS 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	CZ 550 9.3 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machine guns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • RPG-7V
Static	AGS-30 • D-30 • DShKM • 2B14 Podnos • Searchlight • SPG-9 • ZU-23
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

Takistani Army - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	Makarov 9 mm • Revolver .45
Submachine guns	PDW 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm • M4A1 5.56 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GP-25, AKS-74) • FN-FAL 7.62 mm • M16A2 5.56 mm (M16A2 M203)
Sniper rifles	KSVK 12.7 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machineguns	M240 7.62 mm • PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • Metis-M 9K115-2 • RPG-7V • RPG-18
Static	AGS-30 • D-30 • Igla AA Pod • KORD • Metis AT-13 • 2B14 Podnos • Searchlight • SPG-9 • ZU-23
(Parenthesis) denote variants. | Operation Arrowhead

NAPA - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GP-25, AKS-74) • AKM 7.62 mm • AKS 7.62 mm
Sniper rifles	CZ 550 9.3 mm • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	9K32 Strela-2 • FIM-92F Stinger • RPG-7V
Static	DShKM • 2B14 Podnos • Searchlight • SPG-9 • ZU-23
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

ACR - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	CZ 75 9 mm • G17 9 mm
Submachine guns	CZ Scorpion Evo 3 A1 9 mm
Carbines	M4A3 5.56 mm (M4A3 M203)
Assault rifles	CZ 805 BREN A1 5.56 mm (CZ 805 A1 G1, CZ 805 BREN A2, CZ 805 B1 G1) • Sa-58V 7.62 mm (Sa-58P)
Sniper rifles	CZ 750 S1 M1 .308 • SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	M249 Para 5.56 mm
Machineguns	M60E4 7.62 mm • UK-59 7.62 mm
Launchers	MAAWS • RPG-7V
Static	2B14 Podnos • DShKM • RBS-70
(Parenthesis) denote variants. Operation Arrowhead | Army of the Czech Republic

United Nations - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (AK-74 GP-25, AKS-74)
Sniper rifles	SVD Dragunov 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	RPG-7V
Static	AGS-30 • KORD • Searchlight
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

Weapons of ARMA Reforger
Handguns	M9 9 mm • PM 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm (N) • M16 Carbine 5.56 mm (M203)
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (N) • M16A2 5.56 mm (M203) • Sa 58 P 7.62 mm (V)
Sniper rifles	M21 SWS 7.62 mm • SVD 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	M249 SAW 5.56 mm • RPK-74 5.45 mm (N)
Machine guns	M60 7.62 mm • PKM 7.62 mm • UK-59L 7.62 mm
Launchers	M72A3 LAW • RPG-7V1
Static	2B14 • M2HB - Tripod • M252 • M60 - Tripod • NSV - Tripod • PKM - Tripod
(Parenthesis) denotes variants. Italics denote weapons confirmed to become available in future updates.

Soviet Union - Armoury (ARMA Reforger)
Handguns	PM 9 mm
Carbines	AKS-74U 5.45 mm (N)
Assault rifles	AK-74 5.45 mm (N)
Sniper rifles	SVD 7.62 mm
Squad automatic weapons	RPK-74 5.45 mm (N)
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	RPG-7V1
Static	NSV - Tripod • PKM - Tripod
(Parenthesis) denote variants.

FIA - Armoury (ARMA Reforger)
Handguns	PM 9 mm
Assault rifles	Sa 58 P 7.62 mm (V)
Sniper rifles	SVD 7.62 mm
Machine guns	UK-59L 7.62 mm
Launchers	RPG-7V1