China Legacy NORINCO
Type 56
China's license-built and later indigenously produced version of the Soviet AK-47/AKM, chambered in 7.62x39mm and distinguished by an integral folding spike bayonet on many variants. It became one of the most widely distributed rifles of the 20th century, supplied to allied and insurgent forces across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
In service since 1956 · 30 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
350
m range
600
rpm
710
m/s
30
rds
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Chinese state channel
State export agencies (NORINCO/CATIC); limited availability to Western-aligned states.
Channel: State export agency
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 30 operators
In service since 1956. Status: legacy · ~10,000,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
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. | 350 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 600 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 710 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 7.62×39 mm |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 7.6 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 30 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.87 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. | 414 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 10,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 30 |
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 Type 56 require? +
The NORINCO Type 56 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the NORINCO Type 56? +
The NORINCO Type 56's primary weapon is the 7.62×39 mm.
What is the NORINCO Type 56 used for? +
The NORINCO Type 56 is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the NORINCO Type 56? +
The NORINCO Type 56 is operated by 30 countries.
