The Ecuadorian Army has incorporated into operational service the Chinese-made Norinco QBZ-97 5.56x45mm bull-pup, export version of the 5.6x32mm DBP87 QBZ95.
The QBZ-97s have been used in the XVII Urban Combat Course and IV International, modified for use in the training simulator.
These rifles are characterized by a gas intake action system and rotary lock with a four-position selector (safe, semi-automatic, automatic and short burst), with a weight of 4.6 kilograms loaded, having a Stanag-type magazine of 30 rounds, with a rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute.
These rifles would have been delivered to Ecuador (in an undisclosed number) between 2017 and 2019 as part of the agreements signed with the Asian nation for the transfer of military equipment (2014). However, there were no photographic records of its use by the South American country until now.
It should be remembered that the Army also uses the Norinco Type-56 rifle of 7.62×39 millimeters, in basic training processes, but without the use of ammunition.