Type 75 14.5mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

Last updated: 20 August 2007

The Chinese 5th Ministry of Machinery Industry (now NORINCO) issued requirements for a lightweight 14.5mm single-barrel anti-aircraft machine gun (AAMG) to be used by the North Vietnamese forces in 1971. The requirements demanded that the weapon to be no heavier than 150kg, and able to be carried by soldiers when dissembled. A prototype was introduced by 356 Factory in 1975. A small number of the 14.5mm AAMG was delivered to the PLA for trial. However, by the time the development was completed the weapon was no longer required due to the end of the war in Vietnam.

In 1980, the 5th Ministry of Machinery Industry promoted the 14.5mm AAMG to the export market, and received several orders successfully. 356 Factory re-opened the production line of the weapon. In May 1980, the 14.5mm AAMG was officially designated Type 75, with the batch production approved in September. A few batches of the Type 75 were produced between 1981 and 1988, all for foreign customers.

The Type 75 was basically a single-barrel version of the Type 56 4X14.5mm AAMG, mounted on a tripod. The weapon featured improved aiming sights and lighter weight. The weapon was designed mainly to engage surface targets within 1,000m range, and could also be used to engage airborne targets within 2,000m range. The weapon was automatic, recoil-operated, crew-served, with its barrel easily detachable. The weapon fired the Type 56 14.5 X 114mm armour-piercing and incendiary rounds, with a sustained rate of fire of 80 rounds/min.

Type 75-1

The Type 75-1 was an improved version of the Type 75. The Type 75-1 is similar to the Type 75 in gun design and performance, but featured a two-wheel carriage for long-distance travelling. Development of the Type 75-1 began in 1982, and was certified for design finalisation in May 1983. Several batches were produced before the production stopped in 1989, all for foreign customers.

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