Bangladesh to license produce Chinese Type 81 rifles

Bangladesh military rifle upgrade nears
04 March 2006
Staff Correspondent, Dhaka

The Bangladesh Army is nearing finalization of a licensed production agreement with China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) that should see much of its stock of assault rifles replaces over several years.
The Bangladesh Army is mainly equipped with the Chinese semi-automatic Type 56 7.62 mm assault rifles, a variant of the AK-47. This is due to be replaced by the automatic Chinese Type 81 7.62 mm assault rifle to be manufactured locally at the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF) in Ghazipur, near Dhaka.

The rifle deal may have originated in a series of bilateral military assistance agreements concluded in 2003. Production should be launched in about two years following a retooling at the BOF, once agreement is concluded. “We’ll need to change some 40 percent of the current production line”, said a senior Bangladesh Army source. “We hope to get around 5,000 rifles annually once production is launched but this has yet to be sorted out.”

The licensed production agreement has yet to be publicly announced and its overall value is not known. The requirement, however, could involve over 100,000 assault rifles for the army alone, with additional rifles potentially going to the other services and the law enforcement agencies. The BOF already produces 7.62 mm ammunition suited to both the Type 56 and the new Type 81 rifles.

The Rapid Action Battalion, an elite law enforcement force operates the Type 81’s currently along with the Bangladesh Rifles paramilitary border guards.
The Type 81 series of rifles are available in two versions, a standard rifle with integral grenade launcher barrel, and a heavy barrel version with bipod and carrying handle.

The Type 81S and Type 81MGS both feature a bolt hold-open latch which is activated by the magazine follower after the last round is fired. In addition, the bolt and locking method are patterned after the proven AK design for reliability and strength.

The Type 81S has an SKS type trigger stop safety. The Type81MGS features a pivoting sear lock safety switch located on the left rear of the receiver, and also offers adjustable gas cutoff. The new Type 81 series incorporates some of the best features found on the AK and SKS type rifles into a new design. For ruggedness and dependability the Type 81 rifles are hard to beat.

Story from Bangladesh Military Forces:

well how good it is compared to AKs

as it is 7.62 still

there are other to choose not only that one

The Type 81 is a fine rifle, there is absolutely nothing of serious error I can think of asside from some problems with the original stock being a little flimsy, and I gather the same problem using Open-Sighting as the AK series has had. It fires the same rifle round as the AKM and has a similar layout, which is a very good thing. The AKM series has always been known for being very 'solider proof', and even an uneducated phesant (which I offer as the example of simplicity of function, not simplicity of this particular user) can pick it up and fire it. The Type 81 offers improved accuracy over the AK series, which is considered important for many modern rifles as it is more economical to fire less bullets.

Anyway, another issue is weight. However, any trained male solider should be able to use it with little problem.

But asside from that, if the Bangledesh military wanted to replace it's main rifle, they could go with a number of possible options. Most likely, if they suddenly decide to drop it, is to go with the Belgum FAL, which in many respects is comparable to AKM rifles in terms of overal use in governments. However, it is a tad outdated and the recever and general operating system is much more forgien. The second possibility would be AK-74 rifles, which I imagine would not be very hard to aquire. These would loose a substancial punch in terms of firepower, but the recever system is much more familiar, pretty much the same. And one other possibility is the German G3 rifle, which as of late has become much more available on the open market. (I apologize for any errors that might crop up in this.)

But it seems unlikely that they will switch weapons at the last minute or way past the last minute as it may soon be.

How good is the latest Chinese bullpop rifles ???

Well, the Type 95 (from what I hear) is not quite as powerful as the Type-81's 7.62MM cartridge, but the 5.8MM Cartridge is a signifigant step up from the Russian 5.45MM and NATO 5.56X45MM. It offers several structural improvements over the Type-81 in terms of sighting and weight. However, if I remember correctly there were problems with an overabundance of smoke and the ever present problem that crops up with a bullpup rifle=A lack of ambidexterous use. However, I beleve the former problem has been cleared up. It's always tricky to alter the later, however.

Despite some glowing reviews from firers, the weapon has yet to be tested in a real-world combat scenario. So there could be other various problems that could crop up that are unknown to the designer.

I doubt the Type 95 is going to be avalable for export any time soon.

Type 95? We aren't talking about that. :nono:

Bangledash to get a production line for the type 81 is a good idea in my opinion. It is a good and balanced rifle. And now that China is likely to give up the rifle, Bangledash will have to either make it themselves anyway or risk losing the rifle in all.

The only thing I would fear for if the production starts is............ the forests.

From my knowledge of the rifle now, I would not mind using the type 81 for my army, if I had one.

i think they could use plastic for the stock...........

Kampfwagen said:

The Type 81 is a fine rifle, there is absolutely nothing of serious error I can think of asside from some problems with the original stock being a little flimsy, and I gather the same problem using Open-Sighting as the AK series has had. It fires the same rifle round as the AKM and has a similar layout, which is a very good thing. The AKM series has always been known for being very 'solider proof', and even an uneducated phesant (which I offer as the example of simplicity of function, not simplicity of this particular user) can pick it up and fire it. The Type 81 offers improved accuracy over the AK series, which is considered important for many modern rifles as it is more economical to fire less bullets.

Anyway, another issue is weight. However, any trained male solider should be able to use it with little problem.

But asside from that, if the Bangledesh military wanted to replace it's main rifle, they could go with a number of possible options. Most likely, if they suddenly decide to drop it, is to go with the Belgum FAL, which in many respects is comparable to AKM rifles in terms of overal use in governments. However, it is a tad outdated and the recever and general operating system is much more forgien. The second possibility would be AK-74 rifles, which I imagine would not be very hard to aquire. These would loose a substancial punch in terms of firepower, but the recever system is much more familiar, pretty much the same. And one other possibility is the German G3 rifle, which as of late has become much more available on the open market. (I apologize for any errors that might crop up in this.)

But it seems unlikely that they will switch weapons at the last minute or way past the last minute as it may soon be.

Click to expand...

No the Bangladesh Army is adament on going with Chinese weapons as China is a reliable source and ally.

The paramilitary and law enforcement units already use Type 81 rifles that are made in China.

Also Belgian FAL's belong to the Army museum. They have been retired after the 1971 war and replaced with Chinese rifles.

The weight factor should not be a problem as the army soldiers are pshyically fit (male or female).

40% of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory will have to be upgraded and also the government plans to export small arms and ammunition overseas as well.

Dear Sirs:

I believe this is a clever and well thought-out move on the part of the Bangladeshi Army. With the choice of the Type 81 they get several advantages:

1) they get a more modern, more reliable, more accurate and soldier-friendly weapon. One in which all of the teething problems have already been sorted out by its first user - the PLA. The weapon was built to improve upon the already execellent reputation of the AK/AKM series for superior battle reliability. The Type 81 is more accurate and easier to shoot because of the longer barrel and in particular, has a much better safety than the AK series.

2) they get to keep their existing ammunition manufacturing facilities as the Type 81 uses the same ammo - the Bloc cartridge. No need for retooling or new ammunition production lines. No logistical problems with new ammo all the older stocks can be used.

3) they get to use much of their existing AK manufacturing plants, which although will require an upgrade (as mentioned in the article some 40%), need not be scrapped wholesale. Furthermore, as they will be getting what are in effect older, (read - used) Chinese weapons plant, you can bet that the upgrade will be cheap, and I mean really cheap.

All in all a pretty good deal for them.

Best Regards,

Dusky Lim