Thailand could become the first foreign operator of China’s QBZ-195T assault rifles after recently signifying its intent to procure the weapons.
According to local media reports, Beijing is offering an assault weapon with key modifications to meet the operational needs of the Royal Thai Army.
It will be chambered in the widely-used 5.56×45-millimeter NATO caliber, aligning it with available ammunition in Thailand.
The Chinese rifle is also reported to offer superior performance compared to the M4 and M16A4 weapons currently in service with the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
Once delivered, the QBZ-195T will be distributed to the country’s special operations units to support a variety of missions.
A Strategic Approach?
The military’s decision to procure a Chinese rifle is seen as a strategic approach to avoiding reliance on a few suppliers.
Its small arms inventory already includes weapons from the US and Israel, and adding a Chinese-made weapon could help the Royal Thai Army maintain its versatility.
The country’s special forces reportedly approve of the QBZ-195T as their new assault rifle, thanks to its modularity, ergonomic improvements, and customization options.
The weapon is also compatible with various accessories that are already in the Thai military inventory, such as optics, lasers, and grenade launchers.
Once deployed, the QBZ-195T is expected to bolster the operational efficiency of the Thai special forces in diverse combat scenarios.
