The Type 56 is a Chinese assault rifle, a variant of the Soviet AK-47 which is also chambered in 7.62x39mm and feeds from the same 30-round magazines. Introduced in the late 1950s, the Type 56 plays a crucial role in arming communist forces during conflicts such as the Vietnam War and various African and Latin American insurgencies. Its simple, affordable and rugged Kalashnikov design makes it a popular choice for military forces and insurgent groups worldwide. Though the original Type 56s were made of milled steel (like the original Type 3 AK-47), in the 1960s all Type 56s are being manufactured from stamped steel, which allows the rifle to be cheaper and lighter.