Direct proof of use
The clearest direct evidence for KPV use in the 1990 Gulf War comes through Iraqi ZPU anti-aircraft mounts. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force identifies a Soviet-built ZPU-4 as an Iraqi weapon used in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm and describes it as a four-gun mount built around KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine guns.
The same museum separately identifies a Soviet-built ZPU-2 captured by Allied forces during Operation Desert Storm and describes that twin mount as using two KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine guns. GulfLINK's former-Soviet air-defense reference confirms the broader ZPU-series layout: ZPU-1, ZPU-2, and ZPU-4 mounts use KPV 14.5 mm guns and could serve in both low-altitude air-defense and ground-fire roles.
Sources: USAF Museum ZPU-4, USAF Museum ZPU-2, GulfLINK ZPU Series
Timeline
Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Operation Desert Storm opened on January 17, 1991 with coalition air and missile attacks, then shifted to the coalition ground offensive on February 24, 1991. The KPV-family evidence is tied to this Desert Storm phase through Iraqi ZPU mounts documented as used, captured, or recovered in the campaign.
The USAF museum's ZPU-4 record gives the most explicit use statement, identifying the weapon as used by Iraqis in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. Its ZPU-2 record documents a captured Iraqi twin-KPV mount from the same operation.
Sources: U.S. Army Persian Gulf War, USAF Museum ZPU-4, USAF Museum ZPU-2
Narrative
In Iraqi service, the KPV appears in the Gulf War record primarily as the gun component of ZPU-series anti-aircraft artillery rather than as a dismounted infantry machine gun. The ZPU-2 paired two KPV guns on a two-wheel carriage, while the ZPU-4 mounted four KPV guns on a four-wheel carriage. These mounts gave Iraqi forces short-range, optically controlled 14.5 mm fire for low-altitude air defense and possible ground fire.
The available public evidence supports Iraqi fielding and use of KPV-family ZPU mounts during the campaign, but it does not identify a specific unit, engagement, or aircraft target for the documented museum examples. The source-backed claim is therefore limited to Iraqi use, capture, and battlefield presence of KPV-armed ZPU mounts during Operation Desert Storm.
Sources: GulfLINK ZPU Series, USAF Museum ZPU-4, USAF Museum ZPU-2
