Rebel and terrorist organizations could get their hands on a next-generation grenade launcher, the LG5, which the Chinese regime will begin selling.
The Chinese regime is promoting the LG5 as an “anti-sniper” weapon, but has other uses. It’s key feature is its “airburst” grenades which have programmable fuses, so they can detonate overhead and kill entrenched targets.
The LG5 appears to be an upgraded version of the Chinese regime’s QLZ87 grenade launcher. If its current exports of the QLZ87 say anything, the LG5 could end up in the hands of several unsavory groups—from foreign militaries, to rebel groups, to terrorist organizations.
Among the groups currently using the Chinese QLZ87 grenade launcher are al-Shabaab in Somalia, rebel forces in Syria, Khartoum-backed Chadian rebels, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North, according to a 2014 report from Armament Research Service, an Australian arms and munitions consultant group.
It will export a version of the LG5 that uses 35mm rounds. A 40mm round version will only be used by Chinese forces.
New images of the weapon recently appeared online. Chinese military watchers reposted the images for online discussion.
