China · founded in 1980
Norinco (China North Industries)
Chinese state conglomerate, producer of all PLA standard small arms.
History
Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) was established in 1980 as a state holding for exporting and producing Chinese armament. The group inherits the pre-existing arsenals network (Jianshe, Norinco Factory 66, etc.) and covers the full spectrum: from the QSZ-92 pistol to the QBZ-95 and QBZ-191 bullpup rifle families, to tanks and missiles.
On the civilian front, Norinco is known for low-cost copies and clones of the AK (Type 56), Tokarev (Type 54) and M14 (M14S). Direct exports to the U.S. have been blocked since 1994 by the Clinton Crime Bill, but the brand remains one of the world's largest small-arms exporters in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Iconic products
- →QBZ-95, QBZ-03, QBZ-191 — PLA service rifles.
- →Type 56 — Chinese AK-47 clone.
- →QJB-95, QJY-201 — light machine guns.