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| Foto:Chinese-made QJZ-171 |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,Soldiers from the Pakistani and Chinese armies have demonstrated formidable combined firepower in a recent joint tactical exercise, with the advanced Chinese-made QJZ-171 heavy machine gun (HMG) taking center stage. The drills, part of the ongoing series of bilateral military collaborations, focused on enhancing interoperability, tactical coordination, and shared operational procedures between the two allied forces.
The QJZ-171, a next-generation 12.7mm heavy machine gun recently inducted into the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), represents a significant leap in infantry support weaponry. During the exercise, mixed teams of Pakistani and Chinese soldiers conducted live-fire maneuvers, employing the HMG in simulated defensive and suppressive fire roles to neutralize fortified positions and light armored vehicle threats.
Key Features of the QJZ-171 Showcased:
· Lightweight & Modular Design: Weighing approximately 20% less than its predecessor (the QJZ-89), the weapon significantly improves soldier mobility. Its modular assembly allows for rapid deployment and configuration in varied terrains, a feature extensively tested during the drills.
· Enhanced Accuracy & Range: Equipped with advanced optical sights and a muzzle brake that reduces recoil, the HMG demonstrated high accuracy at extended ranges, effective out to 1,500-2,000 meters.
· High Rate of Fire & Reliability: The troops utilized its sustained rate of fire to lay down dominating fields of fire, with the weapon's improved gas system and reliability under strenuous field conditions being put to the test.
Military analysts highlight that the inclusion of the QJZ-171 in joint exercises is highly symbolic. "It goes beyond familiarization with a new platform," observes defense expert Zhang Wei. "It signifies a deepening of tactical-level integration. Sharing such a frontline, company-level support weapon suggests a move towards common operational understandings and possibly even future joint developments or standardized equipment protocols."
The Pakistan-China military relationship, long anchored by major hardware projects like the JF-17 fighter jet, is increasingly focusing on granular joint training and technological synergy. Exercises featuring cutting-edge equipment like the QJZ-171 ensure that Pakistani forces are adept at handling the latest Chinese systems, many of which form the backbone of their inventory.
For both nations, the drills send a cle.ar message of a robust and evolving defense partnership. They underscore a commitment not just to diplomatic and strategic ties, but to a practical, battlefield-ready camaraderie capable of addressing shared regional security challenges. The roar of the QJZ-171 on a shared training ground, operated by soldiers of both countries, thus becomes a potent symbol of this iron-clad alliance in action.