Type 03 Assault Rifle | Ground Forces

While fielding the ‘bullpup’ Type 95 5.8mm assault rifle, the PLA continued to develop a conventional layout 5.8mm assault rifle as a backup. The rifle, developed in parallel with the Type 95, was originally known as Type 95A (QBZ95A). The rifle design was finalised in December 2003 and the weapon was officially designated Type 03. The rifle appears to be remotely associated to the cancelled Type 87 5.8mm rifle introduced in the late 1980s, but with extensive modifications both internally and externally. The Type 03 rifle fires the DBP87 5.8 X 42mm cartridge, and has a unique funnel-shape flash hider.