Thailand to Import QBZ-195T Chinese Assault Rifles for Special Operations.

Thailand has decided to import QBZ-195T assault rifles made in China for its Special Operations (SpOps) units, as reported by several Chinese media. This decision makes Thailand the first known export customer of the QBZ-195 rifle family, specifically adapted to meet their operational needs.
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The QBZ-195T, a variant of the QBZ-191 series, is chambered in the widely used 5.56x45 mm NATO caliber, aligning with existing ammunition standards in Thailand. (Picture source: Chinese media)

The QBZ-195T, a variant of the QBZ-191 series, is chambered in the widely used 5.56x45 mm NATO caliber, aligning with existing ammunition standards in Thailand. This new rifle variant is designed to offer superior performance compared to the currently used M16A4 and M4 rifles, particularly in accuracy and modularity.

The QBZ-191 series, introduced by China’s NORINCO, has been praised for its ergonomic improvements, modularity, and customization options. The rifle features a 4-position adjustable buttstock, ambidextrous fire selector, and a redesigned polymer magazine with a transparent ammunition-checking window. These enhancements are expected to improve the operational efficiency of Thai special forces in diverse combat scenarios.

Thailand’s decision to diversify its small arms inventory, which already includes weapons from the United States and Israel, reflects its strategic approach to not relying on a single supplier. This strategy ensures that the Thai military maintains a versatile and reliable arsenal.

The deployment of the QBZ-195T is anticipated to strengthen Thailand’s military capabilities, offering advanced features that meet modern combat requirements. The rifle’s compatibility with various accessories, such as optics, lasers, and grenade launchers, further enhances its adaptability and effectiveness in special operations.

Thai media have recently reported that the Thai Army Special Forces will soon adopt the QBZ-195T rifle. This model is a modified version of the Type 191 automatic rifle, customized for the Thai market. Although the design of the QBZ-195T is consistent with the original 191 rifle, it uses the 5.56x45 mm NATO caliber, different from the 5.8 mm ammunition commonly used in China.

The Thai special forces have a very high opinion of the QBZ-195T, believing it to be more reliable than the M16A4 and more accurate than the M4 rifle, fully meeting their needs for the next decade. This adoption marks a significant shift for Thailand, which has long used American-made rifles.

The interest of the Thai Army in the Type 191 rifle dates back to the "Assault-2023" and "Blue Assault-2023" joint exercises between China and Thailand, as well as the "Cobra Gold-2024" live-fire joint exercise. These intensive exercises allowed both sides to exchange weapons and equipment, with Thai soldiers showing a marked interest in advanced Chinese armaments.

With the introduction of the QBZ-195T automatic rifle, Thai special forces may also adopt other exported Chinese light weapons, such as the 201 machine gun and the 20 series sniper rifles. This adoption could encourage other Southeast Asian countries to shift from American weapon systems to Chinese rifles, marking a new era of dissemination and publicity for Chinese weapons due to their exceptional performance.

Thailand has decided to import QBZ-195T assault rifles made in China for its Special Operations (SpOps) units. ( Picture source: Chinese media)