AOR M21

AOR M21
AOR M21
Type	Assault rifle Battle rifle (M21-7) Designated marksman rifle (M21-5 DMR Sniper)
Place of origin	Greece
Service history
Used by	Hellenic Army
Production history
Designed	2019
Manufacturer	AOR
Produced	2020-Present
No. built	Unknown
Specifications
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×51mm NATO
Caliber	5.56mm 7.62mm
Feed system	30 round STANAG magazine
Sights	Iron

The AOR M21 is a new assault rifle developed by the AOR design team for the Hellenic Army, mainly to replace the aging G3. ^[1]

The design was started in September 2019 and completed by March 2020. However, the pandemic started by this time meaning that the official presentation to the Army General Staff was in July 2020. ^[2]

The rifle has been observed to be in use with 1st Raider–Paratrooper Brigade (Greece) in 2021. ^[3]

Features

The AOR is available in two variants; the M21-5 which uses the 5.56×45mm NATO round, and the M21-7 which uses the 7.62×51mm NATO. ^{[4] [5]}

There are four sub-variants for the M21-5:

• M21-5 CQB Carbine with 10.5 inch long barrel
• M21-5 Carbine with 14.5 inch barrel
• M21-5 Standard with 16-inch barrel
• M21-5 DMR Sniper rifle with 18-inch barrel

The rifle features ambidextrous control levers for the magazine release and safety.^{[ citation needed ]}

Construction

The rifle is made of durable metal alloys as well as plastics. Furthermore, the rifle has surface treatments such as phosphating to increase its durability, as well as anti-IR paint.

The legislation given by the state requires that the rifle is made completely in Greece. ^[6]

References

1. "Greek rifle AOR (AOP) | Presented before the Hellenic Army General Staff". 7 July 2020.
2. "ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ: Σχεδιαστική ομάδα Ελλήνων Μηχανικών και Ειδικών, παρουσίασαν στο ΓΕΣ το ΑΟΡ, ένα Τυφέκιο Designed AND Made in Greece". ptisidiastima.com. ptisidiastima. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
3. atlamazoglu, stavros. "Meet the secretive Greek military unit that NATO Special Operations HQ just rated as 'combat ready' and 'exceptional'". businessinsider.com. business insider. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
4. "Greek Domestic Assault Rifle". 7 July 2020.
5. "Παρουσίαση στο ΓΕΣ του Εθνικού Όπλου Άορ". 7 July 2020.
6. "Greek rifle AOR (AOP) | Presented before the Hellenic Army General Staff". defenceredefined.com.cy. Defence Redefined. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2023.