Think there are some significant differences between the two. The optic used on the Chinese one seems to be an upgraded derivative of the QBZ-191's QMK-152 / 171A 3X scope by appearance, which would make sense if the PLA / NORINCO have any plans of producing / issuing these scopes at scale.
Now if they were trying to go for a complete "replica" of the XM157, they could have easily done so by using a domestic 1 to 1 clone of the LPVO instead, considering Vortex literally produces/outsources products of this line in China and the countless available OEMs and companies that make decent clones of the LPVO (many of which are used by the PAP). The choice to use what looks like a considerably different optic (potentially based on the PLA's standard QMK-152) likely suggests of some differences in design / role, and that most of the "imitation" was probably focused around the mounted fire control system rather than the entire product itself.
Also, considering the efficiency of the Chinese military / arms industry, it would be really funny if the PLA started fielding these "clones" before most US units did with theirs, given just how slow they have been in fielding these scopes.
The length increases between the two systems and the characteristics seen I think ultimately precludes this from being a direct QMK 152 derivative. Though this does seem to lack the magnification ring so it may be a fixed power magnification and 3x would make sense however that would limit its potential for growth. As I said the XM157 seems like it’s going on a lot of systems including potentially longer range grenade launchers.
True though not likely for reuse of Vortex scopes. The Glass for the XM157 to meet the DOD contract has to be American not outsourced. And to get the glass to work it would have to be designed for the display unless you think there is a ELED or LED display on the back side of the box.
how ever what hot my attention is the housing which is very much in the line of the XM157. In terms of details.
Not likely. The XM157 is being issued with XM7 and XM250 those are in ten units of the U.S. Army. It’s just that right now it’s not in combat, then again the U.S. Army isn’t deployed into an active combat role right now. So the degree of fielding is already passed.
If that's the case, I do wonder what the price is for one of these. The XM157 costing 10,700 a piece is absurs until I read that the US has a 2 billion dollar contract for these. Absolutely insane money spending right there. That's like more than 6 times the budget for the PLAGF.
A good deal of that price is the production infrastructure. These scopes have to be manufactured in and under import restrictions as they are considered national security. Vortex has to by their contract makes the glass and hardware in house or via secured logistics. So a high initial price is expected then comes the R&D price point. As more contracts come in for it the price per unit drops.
Not that surprising considering a bare top-line Vortex LPVO can cost more than 4k. But given that high quality compact FCS units aren't cheap to start with (even Chinese commercial hunting laser rangefinders start off at half a thousand USD), I'd still say their price would still be in the four digits.
While these might be issued to SOF and Elite units, I really can't see these appearing on any standard PLA infantry anytime soon, given that they're still struggling to issue the average sniper (much higher on the priorities list) with much simpler mounted BBQ-201 ballistic trajectory / rangefinder modules.
It might not be fielded at all. We have seen displays like this disappear into the either before. High quality glass for optics and its manufacturing isn’t cheap and putting bargain basement parts into a high end capability set is stupidity.
Potential use cases may very but if is a fixed power system then that makes it niche to infantry in some form commando type SoF would be a prime suspect. However had it been a LPVO it would expand with potential for use beyond rifles and LMGs. Still all we see is a display on a stock. So….
