China NORINCO
QBZ-03
A conventional-layout gas-operated assault rifle developed as a lower-cost, more easily produced alternative to the bullpup QBZ-95 for PLA militia and reserve forces. Chambered for the Chinese 5.8x42 mm cartridge shared with the QBZ-95 family.
In service since 2003 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
400
m range
650
rpm
930
m/s
30
rds
Pricing: Unit cost not publicly disclosed
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2003. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 400 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 650 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 930 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 5.8x42mm DBP-10 assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 5.8 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 30 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.96 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 4 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 1 |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 443 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
|---|
Specifications compiled from public NORINCO and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Tula Arms Plant AEK-971 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the NORINCO QBZ-03 require? +
The NORINCO QBZ-03 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the NORINCO QBZ-03? +
The NORINCO QBZ-03's primary weapon is the 5.8x42mm DBP-10 assault rifle.
What is the NORINCO QBZ-03 used for? +
The NORINCO QBZ-03 is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the NORINCO QBZ-03? +
The NORINCO QBZ-03 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the NORINCO QBZ-03 cost? +
NORINCO QBZ-03: Unit cost not publicly disclosed. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
