GK80
| GK80 | |
|---|---|
 Albanian soldier wearing the early "Type 69" variant of the GK80 | |
| Type | Combat Helmet |
| Place of origin | China |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Myanmar conflict Western Sahara War Sino-Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese conflicts (1979–1991) Algerian Civil War Houthi insurgency in Yemen Yemeni Civil War (2014-present) Myanmar Civil War |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.1kg |
The GK80 (Chinese: GK80钢盔) is a Chinese steel combat helmet first developed in the late 1960s. Developed as part of a Chinese military aid to Albania in response to the Sino-Soviet split, the helmet was initially designated as the "Type 69" and was only issued in small numbers within the People's Liberation Army. An improved design was re-designated as the GK80 and was adopted as the standard combat helmet of the PLA in 1980. The move was part of a PLA modernization program immediately after encountering drawbacks in the Sino-Vietnamese War in 1979, which the PLA realized the necessity to modernize its arsenal.[1]
The GK80 in PLA service is being replaced by the aramid construction QGF02/03 helmets.[1]
Users
Non-state users
Kachin Independence Army
National Democratic Alliance Army
Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army
United Wa State Army
References
- ^ a b Lai, Benjamin (14 July 2016). The Dragon's Teeth: The Chinese People's Liberation Army - Its History, Traditions, and Air Sea and Land Capability in the 21st Century. Casemate. ISBN 9781612003894.