Type 74

     Notes: This is one of the few Chinese weapons that are not a made-over Kalashnikov; it is basically a small version of the Russian SG-43.  It replaced the Type 67 machinegun as a Squad Automatic Weapon.  Despite the design, the Type 74 can use Type 56 assault rifle or AK-47/AKM magazines, as well as those of the RPK.  It appears this weapon was used only by the Peoples’ Liberation Army, and not exported. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: These weapons were exported to Mongolia shortly before the Russian invasion. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: Production of these weapons started again in 2003.

Type 81 LMG

     Notes: This weapon was originally produced for export, but was adopted later by the Chinese Army.  It uses a mechanism similar to the Type 68 rifle, and is the squad support variant of the Type 81 assault rifle.  Fire is from a closed bolt.  The Type 81 LMG has a folding bipod permanently attached just behind the muzzle, and a folding carrying handle above the point of balance. Though the Type 81 LMG normally feeds from a 75-round drum, this is not the same drum as the Type 74 automatic rifle (above) or the RPK, and the Type 81 LMG cannot use those drums.  It can use magazines designed for the Type 81 assault rifle, but not those made for an AK-series (or Type 56) assault rifle, nor will the 40-round extended box magazines of an RPK fit into it.  Most parts of the Type 81-1 are interchangeable with the Type 81 assault rifle.  It should be noted that the 20-round box magazine is rarely used on the Type 81 LMG.

     A variant of the Type 81 LMG, the Type Q-112, is designed for use with Kalashnikov-type magazines.  It cannot use standard Type 81 LMG magazines.  It is designed for export, and not used by the Chinese Army.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon was used by countries such as North Korea, Iraq, Iran, and Mongolia, in addition to China. 

Norinco Type 88 GPMG (QJY-88)

     Notes: This is the medium machinegun counterpart to the Type 95 (QBZ-95) assault rifle family.  It fires the same cartridge, and can be fired from a bipod or a tripod (weight, 4.2 kg, price $111).  In the West, it is considered to heavy for a squad automatic weapon, and firing a cartridge too light for a medium machinegun., but has the virtue of firing an assault rifle cartridge that is used by the new generation of Chinese assault rifles and PDWs. It normally fires a special heavy bullet designed for it. (which, unfortunately, cannot be simulated in Twilight 2000 v2.2 terms).  The Type 88 is built to better quality and standards than Chinese weapons are normally made.  Standard sights are iron sights but there are attachment points for telescopic or night sights.  The barrel is 23.6 inches, and tipped with conical flash suppressor; the barrel is of heavy profile.  The barrel is a quick change type. Use of polymers include the stock, the handguard, and the attachment points for sights. The pistol grip is included as a part of the stock.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon is extremely rare.

Type 95 Light Support Weapon (LSW)

     Notes: Also known as the QBZ-95, this is the Squad Automatic Weapon version of the Chinese Type 95 assault rifle.  It has a longer barrel and uses a large 75-round drum.  As of 2006, the Type 95 LSW is still usually seen only in the hands of Chinese troops in Hong Kong, or special operations troops.  The Type 95 LSW differs little in appearance from the Type 95 Assault Rifle, but it does use a longer and heavier 21.9-inch barrel tipped with a larger flash suppressor, has a permanently-affixed folding bipod about halfway down the length of the exposed part of the barrel, and is able to use a 75-round drum in addition to standard Type 95 Assault Rifle magazines.  It is not capable of mounting either a bayonet or an underbarrel grenade launcher.  The Type 95 LSW has a hooded post front sight and a rear adjustable aperture sight mounted on a carrying handle; this carrying handle can also mount a variety of optics and accessories.

     The Type 97 LSW is the same weapon chambered for 5.56mm NATO ammunition; as of 2002, there have been no large-scale sales of the weapon, though Thailand and Myanmar are supposedly very interested.  The barrel is also heavy, but is 23.6 inches long; the magazines and drums used are proprietary. 

     In both cases, 80% of the parts of the LSW version are identical to their assault rifle cousins.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The Type 95 LSW is an extremely rare weapon; it is seen only in the hands of a very few Chinese special operations forces.  The Type 97 LSW does not exist in the Twilight 2000 world. 

     Merc 2000 Notes: Though rarer than it is in real life, the Type 95 LSW and Type 97 LSW both exist, again mostly in the hands of special ops troops.  (It is simply cheaper to keep build and maintain parts for more traditional weapons than a novel new weapon with proprietary ammunition.)  The Thais are using a surprising amount of Type 97 LSWs, and the Filipinos are also using them in small numbers.  The Myanmars did not have the money to replace most of their stocks of existing weapons.