GK80

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]

Albanian soldier wearing the early "Type 69" variant of the GK80

The GK80 in PLA service is being replaced by the aramid construction QGF02/03 helmets.[1]

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References
  1. 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.
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