Zijiang M99

The 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,[3] and has been seen in the hands of various rebel groups involved in the Syrian Civil War.[1]

M99
Type	Semi-automatic Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin	China
Service history
Used by	See Users
Wars	Syrian Civil War[1] Iraqi Civil War[2]
Production history
Manufacturer	Zijiang Machinery Company (Arsenal 9656) [3]
Produced	2005-present [3]
Variants	M99-II M06
Specifications
Mass	12 kg [4]
Length	150 cm [4]
Cartridge	12.7×108mm [4]
Action	Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity	800 m/s [5]
Maximum firing range	1500-1700 meters [3]
Feed system	5-round box magazine

Overview

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 tremendous 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.[3] The acquisition of the M99 by rebel forces in Syria is thought to have been brokered through Qatar[3] or Sudan.[6]

Variants

• M99-II: .50 BMG variant.[3][4]
• M06: Bullpup, drum magazine-fed variant.[3]

Users

•  China: People's Liberation Army Navy [3] and People's Liberation Army Marine Corps [3][6]
•  Myanmar: Myanmar Army-Sniper division and units at light infantry battalions [3] and United Wa State Army-Local ethnic insurgents [3][6]
• Iraqi Kurdistan [2]
• Free Syrian Army [1]
  • Liwa al-Tawhid [7]
  • TFSA [8]
• Ahrar al-Sham[9]
•  Islamic State[10]

See also

• Accuracy International AS50
• Barrett M82/M107

References

1. "Rival rebel factions fight in Syria's largest city". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
2. Smallwood, Michael (29 April 2016). "Kurdish Forces with Chinese QLZ87 Automatic Grenade Launcher & M99 Anti-materiel Rifle". sadefensejournal.com.
3. "The Chinese M99 50-caliber Anti-material rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
4. "Modern Firearms - M99". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
5. "Defense Updates: NORINCO M99 / M06 12.7 mm anti-materiel rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
6. "Syrian Rebels are using the Chinese M99 large-caliber Sniper Rifle". Retrieved 19 June 2014.
7. https://amp.businessinsider.com/images/5238bb4feab8eafb13d2823b-960-718.jpg
8. https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9fvu9aSRJD2gvJ_EY9fG4kSpzc1Vg5bBrvltXicQ0CIAxw-yl
9. https://syria.liveuamap.com/pics/2017/06/17/21478187_0.jpg
10. "Syrie: l'EI inflige un revers aux FDS dans l'est, mais reste acculé". France Soir (in French). 25 October 2018.