The QBZ-03 (Mandarin: Qīngwǔqi Bùqiāng Zìdòng—"轻武器""步枪""自动"—"light rifle automatic") assault rifle, also known as the Type 03, is a Chinese gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle designed and developed for the 5.8×42mm DBP87 round. Unlike the bullpup QBZ-95, the QBZ-03 has a conventional design. It is designed to be easily used by police officers and soldiers already familiar with previously issued assault rifles.
== History == The QBZ-03's design was finalized in December 2003 and it was given the name designation Type 03. It appears to be a continuation of the Type 87. Public information regarding the rifle was first reported in the November 2004 issue of "Weapon Knowledge". Plans to develop the QBZ-03 were made over concerns made from reports with the use of the QBZ-95.
== Design details == The QBZ-03 has a faster rate of fire compared to the QBZ-95. Operating system is similar to Type 81 assault rifle featuring rotating bolt locking and short-stroke gas piston. The QBZ-03 has a folding stock. In 2015, the manufacturer displayed a version with a quad-rail hand guard; the short rear section screws onto the upper receiver. The gas block has two position regulator and a hooded front sight with a flip-up rear diopter sight.
Variants
=== T03 === The T03 is an export variant chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.
=== EM3513 === The EM3513 is semi-automatic export variant, chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. First introduced in 2005 by the China Jing-She. An Import-Export and Jiang-She Group companies, the variant is fed by STANAG magazines and has an integrated three-round burst mode.
=== QTS-11 OICW Upgrade === In February 2011, photos appeared of the QTS-11, a combination of the Type 03 assault rifle with a 20 mm airburst grenade launcher. This made China the third country to develop an airburst infantry weapon, after the United States and South Korea.
== Users == China People's Liberation Army People's Liberation Army Ground Force border defense units People's Liberation Army Rocket Force People's Liberation Army Marine Corps People's Armed Police
=== Non-State === United Wa State Army
References
== External links == Media related to Type 03 rifle at Wikimedia Commons