The China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited (Chinese: 中国兵器工业集团有限公司)[3], also known as China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Chinese: 中国北方工业集团有限公司), officially abbreviated as Norinco, is a Chinese defense corporation that manufactures a diverse range of civil and military products. It is also involved in domestic civil construction and military defence projects.[4][5] Norinco is one of the world's largest defense companies and contractors.[6][7][8]

History [ edit ]

Established in 1980 with the approval of the State Council of China, Norinco is an enterprise group engaged in both products and capital operation, integrated with research and development, manufacturing, marketing, and services. Norinco mainly deals with defense products, petroleum & mineral resources development, international engineering contracting, optronic products, civilian explosives and chemical products, sports arms and equipment, vehicles and logistics operation, etc. Norinco has been ranked among the forefront of China’s 500 largest state-owned enterprises in terms of total assets and revenue.

International customers [ edit ]

Some of Norinco's international customers include Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it negotiated arms-for-minerals deals, as well as Venezuela.[9][10]

Controversy [ edit ]

Human rights [ edit ]

The New York Times showing Norinco's riot-control equipment An investigation byshowing Norinco's riot-control equipment

The New York Times states that Norinco "is turning military vehicles into riot-control systems, complete with water cannons and tear gas launchers" and that "it’s selling them to rogue nations like Venezuela, known for trampling on human rights". They explain that the equipment sold is used to support "oppressive regimes ... like Venezuela" and that the design of arms produced by Norinco are "reflective of the hardball tactics that China takes against dissent".[11]

Defense experts have also explained that Norinco's design for anti-riot equipment – firing projectiles, water canons and tear gas from behind a tall barricade – is dangerous, allowing authorities to haphazardly fire upon demonstrators without clear visibility and blocking the safe exit of those being fired upon. Tear gas cannons are also constructed in layouts intended to fire directly into crowds instead of being delivered in an arched trajectory, turning the canisters into lethal projectiles.[11]

Trade disputes with the United States [ edit ]

In 1993, the import of most Norinco firearms and ammunition into the United States was blocked under new trade rules when China's permanent normal trade relations status was renewed. The prohibition did not apply to sporting shotguns or shotgun ammunition however. In 1994, U.S. Customs agents conducted a sting against Atlanta based importers of Norinco firearms,[12] known as "Operation Dragon Fire".

In August 2003, the Bush Administration imposed sanctions on Norinco for allegedly selling missile-related goods to Iran.[13] These sanctions led to a prohibition on imports into the US of the remaining types of firearms and ammunition not covered by the 1993 ban.[14][15]

Products [ edit ]

Norinco produces light and armored vehicles, tanks, aircraft, UAVs, artillery, fuel air bombs, precision strike systems, missiles, air defence and anti-missile systems, air-launched weapons, amphibious assault weapons and equipment, night vision products, long-range suppression weapon systems, machinery, radar, optical-electronic products, engineering equipment, oil field equipment, chemicals, light industrial products, explosives and blast materials, infantry equipment, high-effect destruction systems, anti-riot equipment, civil and military firearms and ammunition.

Riot control [ edit ]

Weapons [ edit ]

38mm Anti-Riot Revolver Launcher, tear gas grenade launcher

LW2 38mm Anti-Riot Launcher, tear gas grenade launcher

64mm/38mm Tear Gas Grenade Launcher, mounted multiple tear gas grenade launcher

ZM-87, a portable laser disturber

Vehicles [ edit ]

VN-3, armored personnel carrier

VN-4, armored personnel carrier

Military [ edit ]

Anti-tank weapons [ edit ]

Assault and battle rifles [ edit ]

Autocannons [ edit ]

23-2K, a version of the Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 autocannon

Hunting rifles [ edit ]

JW-103/JW-105, bolt action hunting rifles

JW-14, semi automatic .22 hunting rifle

JW-15, bolt action .22 hunting rifles, close copy of the BRNO model 2. JW23 is the .22WMR version

JW-20, Semi automatic .22 takedown hunting rifle, close copy of the Browning takedown

JW-21, Lever action .22 hunting rifle

JW-23, bolt action .22 hunting rifles, same as JW-15 close copy of the BRNO model 2 but .22WMR version

JW-25, or TU-KKW, bolt action .22 training/hunting rifle, variant of the JW-15, patterned after Mauser KKW

JW-25a, or TU-G33/40, patterned after G33/40.

JW-27, bolt action .22 hunting rifle. Variant of the JW-15 with a 2-piece stock.

Pistols [ edit ]

Shotguns [ edit ]

Sniper rifles [ edit ]

NDM-86, a version of the Dragunov Sniper Rifle that fires .308 Win. ammo or traditional 7.62×54mmR depending on model

QBU-88 (Type 88), sniper rifle

Submachine guns [ edit ]

NR-08, sub machine gun(SMG), clone of Heckler & Koch MP5.

Vehicles [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]