Quote:
Originally Posted by Kokanee
Due to the vast size of the PLA, it has proven economically challenging to replace every single Type-56 in service. Front line and special forces units are issued the newer QBZ-95 for example, while second line and training units still use the Type-56.
It's like Russian. The small arm of choice for the army was supposed to be the AN-94, but budgetary issues have led to a relatively small adoption rate amoung even front-line units - most are still using some variant of the AK74 or AKM.
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But Isn't that whats the type 81 are for?
edit: Never mind, they still make them.
"Most front-line infantry units in the PLA ground forces received the indigenously developed Type 81 7.62mm assault rifle in the 1980s to replace their ageing Type 56 weapon family. However, the Type 56 was never officially retired from service. The rifle continued serving with the PLA, particularly those non-combat units in the Air Force and Navy, as well as reserve forces, militia, and the PAP. The rifle was also exported to many foreign countries in mass numbers, and was seen in action in almost every conflict around the world since the 1960s. NORINCO continued the Type 56 production throughout the 1990s and even developed newer models for the export market. Many civil semi-automatic Type 56 rifles in a variety of models were sold in the U.S. market before 2003."