QLZ-87

The QLZ-87 is a Chinese 35x32mm automatic grenade launcher developed by Norinco for the People's Liberation Army. It operates on a gas-operated, direct impingement system and can be fired from a bipod or tripod mount, offering a lightweight alternative to heavier Western automatic grenade launchers at just 12 kg. The weapon fires from a 6- or 15-round drum magazine and achieves a cyclic rate of approximately 480 rounds per minute. Its unique 35mm caliber was developed independently by China rather than adopting the NATO 40mm or Russian 30mm standards, giving the PLA a proprietary ammunition ecosystem.