Isn't it a standard issue?
QBZ-191 service rifle family
- Thread starter Blitzo
- Start date
I don't know, Seems a bit overkill
plawolf
Lieutenant General
The over helmet ones are standard issue across the PLA.
They would create an air tight seal around the eyes when worn properly and would be very useful in dust storms and keeping out smoke and gas etc. Obvious they won’t be up to NBC standards, but should suffice unless you plan to spend prolong periods of time in smoke/gas filled environments.
The problem is that they become uncomfortable to wear very quickly due to the same air tight seal. Coating should mitigate fogging, but it’s going to be unpleasant in all but winter conditions to wear them for any meaningful length of time, which is probably why you hardly every see PLA troopers actually wear them.
The ballistic glasses are probably reserved for special forces for the most part in terms of standard issue, but are light and comfortable to wear basically all day and all night long should the need arise.
If I’m honest, there is probably also an element of anti-theft in not using ballistic glasses en mass. No one would want to steal the over helmet goggles, but ballistic glasses will probably go missing on an industrial scale if it came standard issue in peacetime. There is just no need for it.
The PLA would have vast inventories of them for actual war time deployments, and Chinese factories can probably churn out enough to give every man woman and child in China a pair within a ridiculous should period of time during wartime economy conditions.
Safety glasses don't count as goggles however this isn't anything new in the military. Many people who likes to showboat tend to have goggles and Safety Glasses
This does not suggest that they are showboating.
Honestly I think it just because the have the budget to buy one , and they thought it looked cool , the picture is from a live demonstration after all , basically an photo op. It is more important to present a "cooler" image , then been tactically sound.
The demonstration is meant to show off , if this look will draw new recruits into the PLA then it has done it's job.
MwRYum
Major
Well it took them a decade to finally get Z-10 allotted.
Or perhaps 2019-20 was not the time to compromise the HK Garrison's combat-ready roster for new gear induction; with things largely settled (which I don't really believe so...), perhaps now's the time to induct new gears and hardware, and the last 12 months they were in familiarization training?
MwRYum
Major
If I remember correctly, both the google and safety glasses are standard issue in the new kit.
Nice It's amazing how far PLA has changed its mindset merely a decade ago Chinese generals were still convinced body armours are a waste of money
Too many Qbu 191 than Qbz 191 in promotional photos and videos. What is the realistic ratio of these 2 rifle in the unit composition in the future ? BTW if PLA really like QBU design to QBZ, they shouldn’t had penny pinched on a little extra cost.