Thus, Italy lacked machine-guns with the critical qualities of light weight, a high rate of fire, good muzzle velocity, good projectile weight and reliability, while the Soviets, Germans, Americans and Japanese had 12.7 mm calibre automatic ordnance in the Berezin UB, MG 131, Browning M2, and Ho-103 respectively.
Thus, Italy was without machine-guns that possessed the essential qualities of being lightweight, having a high rate of fire, achieving good muzzle velocity, possessing adequate projectile weight, and being reliable. Conversely, the Soviets, Germans, Americans, and Japanese had 12.7 mm caliber automatic armaments in their Berezin UB, MG 131, Browning M2, and Ho-103 models.