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ST Kinetics SAR-21



Introduction


SAR-21

Left side view of SAR-21 in its standard configuration
Source: Unknown author - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Singapore
Type
Assault rifle
Entered service
1999
Status
In service
Development
1996 - 1999
Developer
Singapore - Ordenance Development and Engineering (ODE)
Production
1999 - Present
Producer
Singapore - ST Kinetics (known as CIS up to the year 2000)
Number produced
Tens of thousands (estimate)
Designations
SAR-21 / Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century
Notable users
Singapore

Description


Introduction

The SAR-21 is an assault rifle of Singaporean origin. It was developed in the late 1990's by the Chartered Industries of Singapore (now ST Kinetics) to replace the aging M16A1 in Singaporean service. The SAR-21 is a reliable weapon with limited production costs. It suffers from several limited drawbacks, such as being a right handed weapon only and a hard to reach fire selector switch.

Design

The SAR-21 is a modern bullpup assault rifle. It is gas operated and features a long stroke gas piston and a rotating bolt. The furniture is all made out of plastic with the barrel and internal mechanism being made out of metal. The integrated 1.5x optical sight doubles as carrying handle. A visible and IR laser are fitted in the handguard. There are no iron sights. Proprietary plastic translucent magazines were developed for use with the SAR-21, although STANAG magazines can also be used. Later models feature Picatinny rails for mounting optics and accessories.

Firepower

The SAR-21 fires the 5.56x45mm round from a 30 round magazine. It is available with a rifling for either M193 or NATO ammunition. It is a select-fire weapon with a rather low cyclic rate of fire of 450 to 650 rpm. The weight of the weapon and limited rate of fire make the weapon controllable during automatic fire. The maximum effective range is about 400 meters.

Users

The SAR-21 is the standard assault rifle of the Singapore armed forces. It has also been exported in limited quantities to various nations, mostly in Asia. Reportedly in 2017 Botswana selected the SAR-21 as its standard issue assault rifle.

Variants


SAR-21

The SAR-21 is the first and most produced version of the SAR-21 family of assault rifles. The SAR-21 has an integrated 1.5x optical sight, a full size barrel and a smooth handguard that features a visible and IR laser. A sharpshooters version is also available. This has a 3x optical sight instead of the 1.5x optical sight. Otherwise it is completely similar.

SAR-21 P-rail

The SAR-21 P-rail is a version of the SAR-21 with a Picatinny accessory rail on top of the weapon instead of the integrated 1.5x optical sight. The charging handle extends to the left side of the weapon instead of upwards. Unlike the SAR-21 MMS it does not feature additional rails and has a full size barrel.

SAR-21 MMS

The SAR-21 MMS is a version of the SAR-21 with a Modular Mounting System and a shorter barrel. The MMS consists of a top Picatinny rail as used on the SAR-21 P-rail, but also includes a triple rail assembly instead of the forearm. The integrated visible and IR laser are removed, but can be added on the accessory rails.

SAR-21 LWC

The SAR-21 Lightweight Carbine is the latest and most compact variant in the SAR-21 family. It has a much shorter barrel, a short and slim handguard and is fitted with an aiming device.

SAR-21 GL

The SAR-21 GL is the grenade launching version of the SAR-21. A variety of mounts for either the 40GL and M203 have been observed. It is believed that a version of the M203A1 has become the standard.

SAR-21 LMG

The SAR-21 LMG is a light machine gun version of the SAR-21. It is similar to the SAR-21, but differs in firing from the open bolt position and in having a forward grip and heavier barrel. The barrel is slightly longer, much heavier and features a fixed foldable bipod. The barrel is not of a quick change design.

The SAR-21 LMG seems to have been produced in limited numbers. Very few pictures are available.

Details


Facts SAR-21 SAR-21 P-rail SAR-21 MMS SAR-21 LWC SAR-21 GL SAR-21 LMG
General
Origin
Singapore
Type
Assault rifle
Form factor
Bullpup
Caliber
Caliber
5.56x45mm M193 or NATO
Feed system
30 round magazine
Barrel length
508 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, 178 mm (NATO) or 305 mm (M193) right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
945 m/s (NATO)
970 m/s (M193)
Operation
Action
Gas operated, long stroke gas piston, closed bolt
Locking
Rotating bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
450 - 650 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Integral
Length
805 mm
Weight
3.82 kg empty
Sights
Optics
1.5x optical sight
Mechanical
Back-up iron sights on top of optical sight
Accessories
Laser
Visible and IR laser in handguard

Media


Subcomponents


5.56x45mm NATO

The SAR-21 is available with a barrel twist rate for M193 and NATO variants of the 5.56x45mm cartridge.

CIS 40GL

The SAR-21 GL can be configured for use with the domestic 40GL, although this seems to be the less common option.

M203

The vast majority of SAR-21 GL are fitted with the M203A1 under barrel grenade launcher.

Related articles


Colt M16A1

The SAR-21 was developed to replace the M16A1 in Singaporean service.

Steyr AUG

The bullpup design and 1.5x optic seem to be inspired by the Austrian Steyr AUG.