Syria is a known operator of the QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher and the Norinco CQ assault rifle. While the Norinco CQs likely come from Iran, the QZL-87 is only made by China. Along with Type 63 MRLs, JY-27 andType 120 radars, they are the only public known Chinese weapons supplied to the Syrian Arab Army.
The M99 rifle is an anti-materiel weapon developed by the Chinese arms manufacturer NORINCO. It is available in two calibers - 12,7x108 and 12,7x99. The domestic version uses 12.7x 108 rounds. The export version uses 12.7x99. The Syrian examples are likely chambered in 12.7x99. It is confirmed to be in use with the Chinese Army, Sudanese army, the Free Syrian Army and the United Wa Sate Army. Feed is from detachable box magazines holding five rounds of ammunition. The rifle is fitted with an adjustable bipod, and a buffered buttstock. It is fitted with Picatinny style rail which accepts various types of optical and night vision capable telescopes on appropriate mounts.
The anti-materiel rifle is meant to be used against targets such as lightly armored vehicles but can also be fired at personnel, a role which is better suited for conventional sniper rifles with much less recoil like the Dragunov SVD though. The M99 has a very long range and fires with high accuracy against targets like armored vehicles, low flying helicopters and aircraft, boats or unexploded ordnance.
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| A sniper team from the Liwa Tawheed brigade in Aleppo. |
Specifications
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| A M99 seen in the hands of a Free Syrian Army fighter in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district |
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| The weapon seen in Chinese hands |
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