Type 88 GPMG

I think PLA will replace the infantry GPMG with type 88. The reason must because the 5.8 round achieves what they wanted for a firesurpress role at a given distance. As for the 50cal. even u.s. still using the good old Browning HB as vehicle mounted weapon. I don't think the PLA will replace all vehicle mounted MG with Type88.

As long as type 88 can provide continuous ranged fire for fire support role, it is good enough for infantry operations up to company level. As for LAV targets, grenade luncher and RPG does a much better job.

50cal should still have the solid position as the best choice for Vehicle mounted MG. i.e. Fully mechised or armored units.

I ould see vehicle mounted .50 machine guns to be replaced by 14.5mm guns or even 23 mm guns, as light armour vehicles are becoming tougher and tougher with the introduction of composite armour, with modern fire control, the accuracy would be quite good, thus eliminate the need for large amount of ammunition, and 23 mm munition would work much better against helicopter gunships and close support aircrafts than machine guns.

Replace the infantry GPMG with type 88 for possibly up to company level for a few reason. The Smaller and lower weight mean easier and quicker to move around in the battle field and reposition it self in the optimum position to give support/suppress fire-support which is helpful during an assult, the small round mean more ammo increase the amount of fire mission. It can fire the standard 5.8 mm rifle rounds mean it can still continues to provid fire support when there is a shortage of machine gun rounds due to logistic problem.

As lazy digger LAV targets, grenade luncher and RPG does a much better job. But TYPE 98 120MM AT rocket and PF-89 80 mm LAW would do a better job cos of all these amount available improvement on the market nowaday the older RPG days a limited if you are up against any decent army.