China’s military equipment may not have the same level of recognition as that of Russia and the United States, but it is still acknowledged by some smaller countries in the world, particularly in Africa. Several countries have opted to import weapons and equipment manufactured in China, including Guinea. In this article, we explore the Top 10 Chinese Weapons Used by Guinean Military.
Top 10 Chinese Weapons Used by Guinean Military
1. Type 54-1 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun
Pickup trucks are a popular vehicle choice in war-torn areas and Africa due to their low cost, affordability in manufacturing, as well as their off-road and transportation capabilities. In Guinea, the Army is equipped with a number of armed pickup trucks carrying Type 54-1 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns produced by China.
As seen in the picture above, a soldier on the right can be seen next to a Type 54-1 anti-aircraft machine gun. Machine guns are mounted on pickup trucks not only for air defense but also for ground shooting, which can be effective in targeting infantry and firing armor-piercing shells against light vehicles.
China created a machine gun in 1954 that was modeled after the Soviet Union’s DShK heavy machine gun. The machine gun, known as the Type 54, uses 12.7x108mm ammunition and can be fed by either a belt or a belt box. It has a theoretical firing rate of 540 to 600 rounds per minute, can fire up to 1,600 meters in height, and has an effective horizontal firing distance of 1,500 meters.
To reduce weight, a lightweight gun mount was added, the heat sink on the barrel was removed, and a barrel handle was included. China later improved the design, creating the Type 54-1 anti-aircraft machine gun. The machine gun is used domestically in China and has been exported to Southeast Asia and Africa in large numbers.
2. Type 56-1 7.62mm automatic rifle
The Type 56 automatic rifle manufactured in China is considered to be the Chinese version of the AK-47. It is highly favored by military personnel in areas affected by war, just like its predecessor, the AK47 and AKM assault rifles. Presently, the army special forces in Guinea are extensively equipped with the Type 56-1 7.62mm automatic rifles produced in China. In the image above, two Guinean special forces officers are seen holding the Type 56-1
Most people also know that the 56-1 is actually a lightweight version of the standard Type 56 automatic rifle. The biggest change is the removal of the solid wooden buttstock and a simple all-metal buttstock that can be folded inward. This design is to reduce the weight of the gun itself and facilitate its use by unconventional arms such as airborne troops and reconnaissance troops. This is the same as the prototype AKS-47 assault rifle.
3. Type 56 7.62mm squad machine gun
The infantry squads and special forces teams of Guinea’s army are armed with the Type 56 squad machine gun, which is manufactured in China. This machine gun is also known as the Type 56 light machine gun. Apart from being carried by individual soldiers, some soldiers in the Guinean army prefer to install this machine gun on pickup trucks or other combat vehicles.
China’s Type 56 squad machine gun is based on the RPD light machine gun formerly used by the Soviet Union. It was created in 1956 and quickly given to troops. This machine gun has been the primary weapon of the PLA infantry squad from the 1950s to the 1980s. It uses the same 7.62x39mm Type 56 rifle bullet as the assault rifle and can hold a 100-round belt box for ammunition.
It has a theoretical firing rate of 700 rounds per minute and can hit targets up to 800 meters away. The Type 56-1 squad machine gun was developed later, with improved belt box quality and a circular, fully enclosed front sight replacing the original semicircular notch-shaped front sight. It has been exported to other regions and used domestically.
4. Type 69 40mm RPG
The Type 69 40mm RPG, which is manufactured in China, is highly popular in Africa. The Guinean Army Special Forces used the Type 69 rocket launcher, which was produced in China’s later period. They are also equipped with rockets that contain over 800 steel balls, making them more lethal. Upon detonation, the steel balls can spread up to 15 to 20 meters, causing significant damage to light infantry.
The Type 69 40mm RPG is a replica of the Soviet Union’s RPG-7, which China successfully copied in 1969. Soon after, the entire army was equipped with it. Although it is a copy, the Type 69 performs just as well as the original RPG-7 in terms of accuracy and efficiency. During the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, the Type 69 rocket launcher played a significant role on the battlefield. It was also exported to Africa, the Middle East, and other areas in the 1970s, and it is still in use today in war-torn regions.
5. Type 80 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun
The preferred machine gun utilized by Guinean Special Forces is the Type 80 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun manufactured in China. In comparison to the Type 56, it possesses a greater ammunition capacity, longer range, and improved power. Typically, Guinean soldiers install the Type 80 machine gun on armored vehicles for tactical purposes. However, some soldiers elect to carry it on their person during combat.
The Type 80 general-purpose machine gun made in China is a replica of the PKM general-purpose machine gun from the former Soviet Union. The Type 80 is almost identical to the PKM, except for its black plastic buttstock. It uses 7.62x54mm Type 53 machine gun rounds and can be fed by a belt or belt box.
The machine gun has a theoretical rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute and can reach targets up to 1000 meters away. It can be used with its own bipod or an additional tripod during combat. However, only a few were given to Chinese special forces, and the majority were exported.
6. HJ-8 Anti-Tank Missile
The Guinean Army is also equipped with the Chinese-made HJ-8 anti-tank missile, also known as the Hongjian-8. The picture above shows several senior Guinean military officers testing the Hongjian-8 anti-tank missile system.
The Hongjian-8 is a missile created in China in the 1980s. It’s an anti-tank missile that can be carried by infantry teams, mounted on a tripod for launch, or on an armored vehicle or jeep for mobile launch. The missile can reach up to 3,000 meters and is effective against tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and concrete fortifications. It began to be exported in the 1990s and is still used by some military forces today.
7. NDM-86 7.62mm semi-automatic sniper rifle
Guinean special forces use sniper rifles imported from China, called NDM-86. These rifles can fire two types of ammunition, 7.62×54 and 7.62x51mm. NDM-86 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle, which is an export version of China’s Type 79 sniper rifle.
Many people might be familiar with the Type 79 sniper rifle, which is essentially a copy of the Soviet Union’s SVD sniper rifle. The domestic version of the Type 79 fires 7.62x54mm ammunition and uses a 10-round detachable magazine. It has an effective range of 600 meters.
However, the Type 79 has some shortcomings. In the 1980s, the Type 85 was developed based on the Type 79 and improved it. This model was widely used by troops. Despite that, the export version of the Type 79, the NDM-86, is still in use in some areas today. Some are even used as precision marksman rifles to equip infantry squads.
8. NP42 9mm Pistol
The special forces in Guinea use equipment similar to those in Europe and the United States. Each soldier is equipped with an assault rifle, an automatic rifle, and also a pistol for self-defense or close combat. The pistols used by the soldiers are mostly NP42 9mm pistols, which are made in China and also known as CF98.
The NP42 pistol is a 9mm handgun that was created in China in 1994. It is designed for foreign troops and has a 15-round magazine that fires the standard 9x19mm pistol bullet. The base of the slide is made of plastic, which makes it lighter. The handgun is effective up to 50 meters. It is used by military and police forces in Southeast Asia and Africa, as well as Guinean special forces.
9. Beiben 6×6 military truck
In terms of vehicles, the Guinean Army has also introduced a number of Chinese-made military vehicles, including China’s Beiben series of 6×6 military trucks, which are mainly used to transport troops, transport supplies or tow artillery.
Similarly, this type of truck is also used for various transportation tasks in China and has been in service since as early as the 1980s.
10. Mengshi II assault vehicle
The Guinean Army has recently acquired a Chinese-made vehicle called the Mengshi II assault vehicle, also known as the Mengshi EQ2060 protected assault vehicle. This vehicle is armored with reinforced doors, windows, and chassis. Additionally, it can be equipped with weapons such as machine guns and rocket launchers on its roof. The Guinean Army has obtained an extended version of this vehicle, as shown in the picture.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Guinean military’s operational capacity and strategic preparedness have been significantly enhanced by the adoption of Chinese weaponry. From heavy machine guns to armored vehicles, Top 10 Chinese Weapons Used by Guinean Military.
As the dynamics of global security continue to evolve, the partnership between China and Guinea in the realm of defense underscores the importance of strategic alliances in safeguarding national interests. Looking ahead, the continued collaboration and utilization of Chinese arms is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Guinea’s defense landscape for years to come.
