| SAR 21 | |
|---|---|
.png) SAR 21, right side view. Pictured SAR 21 is attached with the Round Corner Firing (RCF) module and has had its magazine removed. | |
| Type | Bullpupassault rifle |
| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1999–present[1] |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Tuck Wah Chee and Felix Tsai ofChartered Industries of Singapore/ST Kinetics[2] |
| Designed | 1996[1] |
| Manufacturer | • CIS: 1999–2000[1] •ST Kinetics: 2000–present[1] |
| Produced | 1999–present[1] |
| Variants | Seevariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | • SAR 21: 4 kg (8.82 lb)[1] • SAR 21 GL/M203: 5.3 kg (12 lb) • SAR 21 P-Rail: 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) • SAR 21 MMS: 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) • SAR 21 Light Weight Carbine 3 kg (6.6 lb) |
| Length | 805 mm (31.7 in) (SAR 21, SAR 21 40 GL/M203, SAR 21 P-Rail) 680 mm (26.8 in) (SAR 21 MMS) 640 mm (25.2 in) (SAR 21 Light Weight Carbine) |
| Barrel length | 508 mm (20.0 in)[1] |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO[1] |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (0.22 in)[1] |
| Barrels | Single barrel 1:12" and 1:7" twist options[3] |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 450–650 rounds/min[1] |
| Muzzle velocity | 970 m/s (3,182 ft/s) (M193) 945 m/s (3,100.4 ft/s) (SS109) |
| Effective firing range | 460 m (M193) 800 m (SS109) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable plasticbox magazine Export models:STANAG magazines[3] |
| Sights | 1.5x or 3x optical sight; back-upiron sights |
TheSAR 21 ("Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century") is abullpupassault rifle designed and manufactured inSingapore, chambered for the5.56x45mm cartridge. First revealed and subsequently adopted by theSingapore Armed Forces (SAF) as its standard service weapon in 1999, it was designed and developed over a four-year period to replace the locally license-builtM16S1[3] by theMinistry of Defence (MINDEF),Singapore Army and the formerChartered Industries of Singapore (CIS), presentlyST Engineering Land Systems.[4]
Many of its design features are directly intended to address the weaknesses of the M16S1 as encountered operationally by some infantrymen.[1] The rifle is being sold for export use aside from domestic use.[5] In the United States, it was marketed by ST Kinetics via its American subsidiary, VT Systems.[6]
Since the mid-80s, the SAF had an outstanding requirement to replace the M16S1, in use since 1973, in part due to licensing limitations that prevented Singapore from exporting the M16S1 or making new assault rifles based on it.[7] In 1994, a proposal by the SAF was submitted to MINDEF for options to either procure new weapons (thought was given to purchase theM16A2) or to develop an indigenous rifle.[8] On 19 November 2002, a patent was filed with theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office by Tuck Wah Chee and Felix Tsai with the patent number 6,481,144 B1.[2]
MINDEF officials, after consultations with the SAF, decided against buying weapons off the shelf as it would require soldiers to adjust to the new weapon, choosing instead to develop a weapon, designed and made specifically for ease of use by conscript soldiers of the SAF, who are mostly of slighter physiques. Coupled with the rising costs of maintaining the M16S1s, this made it more justifiable to develop a low-maintenance weapon.[1]
In 2009, criminal charges were filed against former Indian Ordnance Factory Board director Sudipta Ghosh for corruption, among the allegations were an improper partnership withSTK over supplying Indian law enforcement with the SAR 21 Modular Mounting System.[9][10] STK and several foreign firms involved were blacklisted by the Indian Defence Ministry.[11][12]
On February 19, 2024, the Next Generation SAR (Singapore Assault Rifle) was unveiled by ST Engineering at the Singapore Airshow 2024 event.[13]
The SAR 21's furniture is made of a rugged, high impact polymer, much of the manufacturing is done utilisingCNC machines, withultrasonic welding for thesteel-reinforcedreceiver halves and thegun barrel beingcold hammer forged.[7] It has along stroke gas system and a two-lug Stoner-style bolt, boasting high reliability.[7] The translucent magazine allows precise assessment of its current ammo load.[8]
The SAR 21 has a built-inLaser Aiming Device[4] (powered by a single"AA-size" battery)[7] which has a 5 position switch that emits a visible or infrared beam at high or low power. It can be set to a steady beam or a momentary beam that is triggered by a pressure switch activated with the user's left thumb.[14] The rifle incorporates various patented safety features, such as aKevlar cheek plate and a high pressure vent that protects the shooter in the event of a chamber explosion or catastrophic failure.[3][15]
The integral 1.5xopticalscope that is built into its carrying handle aids in target acquisition, particularly under low light conditions. The scope is factory-zeroed, and requires minimal further zeroing to suit different users,[3][4] shortening non-training range time.[1]
Early users of the weapon in the Singapore Armed Forces experienced many problems due to their unfamiliarity with thebullpup design. Their criticisms (usually compared to the M16S1 rifles they were trained with) include:
Some of these criticisms were addressed with design modifications to the later production models. New weapon handling procedures were also introduced.
The Kevlar plating on the left side of the weapon butt (where a right-handed user's face would typically be) is effective in protecting the user from any internal chamber explosion by directing the resulting force to the right.[7] However, that resultant force would also seriously injure anyone on the right side of the weapon. In the case of a user firing from their left shoulder, this could cause severe injury to their face. As a result, all left-handed SAF soldiers are taught to fire from their right shoulder as a safety measure. The SAR 21 was designed with a small built-in brass deflector to eject spent bullet casings forward, thus reducing the chances of the spent casings hitting a left-handed user's face. The rifle is not completely ambidextrous but may be fired from the left shoulder.[1]
Like the M16 rifle, the bolt locks open on an empty magazine. When the magazine is exhausted, it is removed by depressing the catch lever. Clearing the weapon is accomplished by removing the magazine, pulling the charging handle to the rear, and observing the chamber. After loading a magazine into the housing, the weapon is made "ready" by cocking the weapon, and engaging the cross-bolt safety button forward of the trigger guard. The position of the fire selector button (SEMI or AUTO) on the stock may also be adjusted.[1]
The on/off switch for the laser aiming device is located on the left handguard; when holding the weapon at ready, the left thumb rests naturally on it.[7] With sluggish operation due to fouling, the gas regulator setting may be adjusted by turning it with a coin, screwdriver, or any other thin flat object. Alternatively, the gas regulator can be unlatched and turned by hand with aid of its knurled surface.[1]
Botswana: Replacing theFN FAL with the SAR 21 as of 2017.[20]
Brunei:Royal Brunei Armed Forces.[21][22]
Indonesia:Indonesian Air Force, used byKorps Pasukan Khasspecial forces unit.[23]
Morocco[23]
Peru: Special forces.[23]
Singapore:Singapore Armed Forces.[24]
Thailand: Special forces.[23]
Sri Lanka: Special forces.[23]
