Tamil Tigers with QBZ97

Tamil Tigers (LTTE) had a very strong fighting force in the turbulent Sri Lankan political landscape. One of the most amazing things about the Tigers were their international logistical support chain, especially of their access to a wide range of sophisticated military hardware. They were not a rag tag militia, but a formidable and organized paramilitary government. Unfortunately, they were officially defeated on May of 2009.

Today I want to focus on a particular rifle they had in their inventory. The Chinese Norinco QBZ97 5.56x45 assault rifle.

The QBZ97 or Type97, is the export version of the PRC current issue QBZ95. It is a 5.56x45 NATO compatible rifle which feeds via STANAG magazines. The rifle made its debut during the 1997 Hong Kong take over, and has been a relatively mysterious rifle outside of China. The rifle follows a compact bullpup design, and the body is made out of polymer.

I believe the first sightings of the QBZ97 in Sri Lanka was in 2007. One can speculate how these got into LTTE hands. The Chinese government has a long history supplying both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers. This is evident with the abundant quantities of Type56 and Type81 rifles used by both forces. However I believe the QBZ97 was not directly brokered with the PLA, but via proxy through Burma and Cambodia. There is also speculation that some were taken from Sri Lankan Special Forces, or annexed from corruption.

Below are a few images of the QBZ97 in Sri Lanka used by the LTTE.

Tamil Eelam leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran with custom shorty QBZ97 and Zeiss RSA.
RIP May 19 2009

LTTE with QBB97 LMG

Black Tigers with ChiCom Type69 RPG (RPG7 clones), Type85 suppressed SMGs (outfitted with various optics), Type80 GPMG (PKM clones), Type56-2 (AKM clones), QBZ97s.

Captured arms of the Tamil Tigers, showcasing the QBZ97.

Unknown rifle from Brazil

Here is something that has been circulating online for sometime. A captured rifle from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Nobody really knows what it is. There are suggestions that this is from an underground workshop, but I highly doubt it. The construction looks too professional to be something from the favelas.

The rifle resembles a SIG SG530/Beretta AR70, the magazine release looks IMI Galil. Furniture appears to be polymer resin, and the color is similar to the INSAS. The upper has FN FAL/Imbel MD97 like sights, and the top even has rail sections for optics. The magazine is proprietary, and appears to be in 5.56x45 profile. Folding stock is FAMAE SG540 like. Fire selector/safety is on the left side, charging handle is on the right.

Based on these design characteristics, this rifle was possibly made in the 1980-90s. I suspect this is something from the very region. Brazil has a rich firearms manufacturing history, so it is very likely a domestic product. But I am not ruling out that it could be from a neighboring country also. FAMAE of Chile is my closest bet on the maker, as they make SIG pattern rifles.

So what is the back story behind this mysterious rifle? Could this be made by Imbel or Taurus? A locally produced prototype AR70 pattern rifle?