The Zijiang M99 is a semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle first introduced in 2005. It has since seen use by the People's Liberation Army Navy and Marine Corps in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden,[5] and has been seen in the hands of various rebel groups involved in the Syrian Civil War.[1]

M99
TypeSemi-automatic anti-materiel rifle
Place of originChina
Service history
In service2005-present
Used bySee Users
WarsSyrian Civil War[1]
Iraqi Civil War[2]
Myanmar Civil War[3]
Sudanese civil war (2023–present)[4]
Production history
ManufacturerZijiang Machinery Company (Arsenal 9656)[5]
Produced2005-present[5]
VariantsM99-II
M06
Specifications
Mass12 kg[6]
Length150 cm[6]

Cartridge12.7×108mm[6]
ActionSemi-automatic
Muzzle velocity800 m/s[citation needed]
Maximum firing range1500-1700 meters[5]
Feed system5-round box magazine

Overview

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The Type 99 is a lightweight 12.7x108 mm, direct impingement gas-operated, anti-materiel rifle. It features a large muzzle brake to aid in the mitigation of the recoil produced by its cartridge. A 2006 trial conducted by the Pakistan Army indicated that the rifle is capable of 1.6 MOA accuracy with the appropriate precision ammunition.[5] The acquisition of the M99 by rebel forces in Syria is thought to have been brokered through Qatar[5] or Sudan.[7]

Variants

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Users

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Non-State Actors

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Rival rebel factions fight in Syria's largest city". CBC News. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b Smallwood, Michael (29 April 2016). "Kurdish Forces with Chinese QLZ87 Automatic Grenade Launcher & M99 Anti-materiel Rifle". sadefensejournal.com. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023.
  3. ^ War Noir [@war_noir] (15 December 2023). "#Myanmar (#Burma) 🇲🇲: A quite interesting photo of a fighter of Ta'ang National Liberation Army (#TNLA) in #Shan State. The fighter is using a rare 12.7x108mm Zijiang M99 anti-materiel rifle; originally made by #China 🇨🇳 and likely seized from Tatmadaw. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Noir, War [@war_noir] (30 June 2024). "#Sudan 🇸🇩: Rapid Support Forces (#RSF) fighters released a new video after reportedly destroying an armored vehicle belonging to Sudanese Forces. Some of the fighters also seen with rare weapons including Chinese Zijiang M99 anti-materiel sniper rifle and MP5A3 submachine gun" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The Chinese M99 50-caliber Anti-material rifle". Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d "Modern Firearms - M99". 27 October 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Syrian Rebels are using the Chinese M99 large-caliber Sniper Rifle". The Firearm Blog. 30 April 2013. Archived from the original on 11 May 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  8. ^ M99 Chinese 12.7mm Sniper Rifle OE Data Integration Network (ODIN)
  9. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost (6 March 2021). "Qatar's Purchase of BP-12A SRBMs: A Guppy Sprouts Teeth". Oryx Blog. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023.
  10. ^ Martin, Guy (26 February 2015). "Sudan unveils 122 mm self-propelled howitzer, armoured vehicles at IDEX". defenceWeb. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ Chinese sniper rifle Zijiang M99 used by Syrian Armed Forces Soldier.
  12. ^ "Syrie: l'EI inflige un revers aux FDS dans l'est, mais reste acculé". France Soir (in French). 25 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023.
  13. ^ "JADE AND CONFLICT - Myanmar's Vicious Circle" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.