SAR 21

Last updated

SAR 21
SAR 21 (cropped).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 Bullpup assault rifle
Place of origin Singapore
Service history
In service1999–present [1]
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerTuck Wah Chee and Felix Tsai of Chartered Industries of Singapore/ST Kinetics [2]
Designed1996 [1]
Manufacturer• CIS: 1999–2000 [1]
• ST Kinetics: 2000–present [1]
Produced1999–present [1]
VariantsSee variants
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)
Length805 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  length508 mm (20.0 in) [1]
Cartridge 5.56×45mm NATO [1]
Caliber 5.56 mm (0.22 in) [1]
BarrelsSingle 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 range460 m (M193)
800 m (SS109)
Feed system30-round detachable plastic box magazine
Export models: STANAG magazines [3]
Sights1.5x or 3x optical sight; back-up iron sights

The SAR 21 ("Singapore Assault Rifle - 21st Century") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in Singapore, chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge. First revealed and subsequently adopted by the Singapore 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-built M16S1 [3] by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Singapore Army and the former Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS), presently ST Engineering Land Systems. [4]

Contents

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]

History and development

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 the M16A2) or to develop an indigenous rifle. [8] On 19 November 2002, a patent was filed with the United 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 with STK 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]

The SAR 21 is set to be replaced by the BR18 in the Singapore Armed Forces in the near future. [13]

Design

A Singaporean soldier gives an overview of the SAR-21 rifle to a group of US Army soldiers at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt. Army.mil-101955-2011-03-16-100334.jpg
A Singaporean soldier gives an overview of the SAR-21 rifle to a group of US Army soldiers at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

The SAR 21's furniture is made of a rugged, high impact polymer, much of the manufacturing is done utilising CNC machines, with ultrasonic welding for the steel-reinforced receiver halves and the gun barrel being cold hammer forged. [7] It has a long 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-in Laser 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 a Kevlar 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 1.5x optical scope 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]

Design issues

Early users of the weapon in the Singapore Armed Forces experienced many problems due to their unfamiliarity with the bullpup 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 unfortunate enough to be 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, in a pinch, be fired from the left shoulder. [1]

Operation

A Singaporean soldier takes aim with the SAR-21. Note the emitted red beam from the laser sight. SAR 21 Rifle.jpg
A Singaporean soldier takes aim with the SAR-21. Note the emitted red beam from the laser sight.

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]

Variants

SAR 21 Light Machine Gun (LMG)
Fitted with an open bolt, it has a heavy 513 mm (20.2 in) barrel with an integral folding bipod and foregrip. [1]
SAR 21 Sharpshooter
A standard SAR 21 with a 3.0x optical sight. The sight picture is composed of luminous black paint, allowing easier target engagement at night without the use of the LAD. [3]
SAR 21 Grenade Launcher (GL)
Attached with a CIS 40 GL or M203 grenade launcher. [3] [14] Several sub-variants/prototypes incorporate different targeting modules (or mounted on p-rails) for grenade target acquisition. Known sights to have been used include aiming quadrants, various optical sights and laser fire control systems. [3]
SAR 21 Picatinny rail
Picatinny rail in place of its integral optical sight. [14] The charging handle is moved to the side of the weapon and is interchangeable. [3] [14]
SAR 21 Modular Mounting System (MMS)
Has integral optical sight and LAD removed to allow a wide variety of add-on tactical accessories, such as vertical assault grips, tactical lights and reflex sights. Charging handle is moved to the left hand side of the weapon. [14] Similar to P-rail model, [3] [14] variants consist of a standard and carbine-based barrels. [17]
SAR 21 Lightweight Carbine
A lightweight SAR 21 variant was revealed during the Asian Defence Exhibition held in conjunction with 2006 Asian Aerospace. The variant boasts an ultra-short barrel, shorter handguards and a Picatinny rail [3]
RCF module
The Round Corner Firing (RCF) module, similar in concept to the Israeli CornerShot, can be attached to any of the above SAR 21 variants for conducting operations in an urban environment. [18]
SAR 21A
Prototype unveiled at the Singapore Air Show 2010, this updated variant boasts a sturdier thumb selector for ambidextrous control, an unloaded weight of 3.2 kg (7 lb 0.9 oz), a full built-in Picatinny rail along its length and a higher rate of firing at 900 RPM. In production as of 2012. [19]

Users

A map with SAR 21 users in blue SAR 21 Users.png
A map with SAR 21 users in blue

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IMI Galil</span> Family of Israeli automatic rifles

The IMI Galil is a family of Israeli-made automatic rifles chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. Originally designed by Yisrael Galili and Yakov Lior in the late 1960s, the Galil was first produced by the state-owned Israel Military Industries and is now exported by the privatized Israel Weapon Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SA80</span> Current British assault rifle, bullpup

The SA80 is a British family of 5.56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. The first prototypes were created in 1976, with production of the A1 variant starting in 1985 and ending in 1994. The A2 variant came to be as the result of a significant upgrade in the early 2000s by Heckler & Koch and remains in service as of 2020. The A3 variant was first issued in 2018 with several new improvements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullpup</span> Firearm

A bullpup firearm is one with its firing grip located in front of the breech of the weapon, instead of behind it. This creates a weapon with a shorter overall length for a given barrel length, and one that is often lighter, more compact, concealable and more maneuverable than a conventionally configured firearm. Where it is desirable for troops to be issued a more compact weapon, the use of a bullpup configuration allows for barrel length to be retained, thus preserving muzzle velocity, range and ballistic effectiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steyr AUG</span> Austrian bullpup assault rifle

The Steyr AUG is an Austrian bullpup assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge, designed in the 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, and now manufactured by Steyr Arms GmbH & Co KG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IWI Tavor</span> Bullpup assault rifle

The IWI Tavor, previously designated as the Tavor TAR-21, is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO calibre, designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). It is part of the Tavor family of rifles, which have spawned many derivatives of the original design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vektor R4</span> Assault rifle

The Vektor R4 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle designed in 1979 based on the IMI Galil rifle. It entered service as the standard service rifle of the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1980. The R4 replaced the R1, a variant of the 7.62×51mm FN FAL. It was produced by Lyttelton Engineering Works, now Denel Land Systems.

The karabinek szturmowy wzór 1996 "Beryl" is a Polish 5.56mm assault rifle, designed and produced by the Łucznik Arms Factory in the city of Radom. The rifle is to replace the 7.62×39mm AKM and 5.45×39mm FB Tantal used in the Polish Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultimax 100</span> Light machine gun, Squad automatic weapon

The Ultimax 100 is a Singapore-made 5.56mm light machine gun, developed by the Chartered Industries of Singapore by a team of engineers under the guidance of American firearms designer L. James Sullivan. The weapon is extremely accurate due to its constant-recoil operating system and is one of the lightest machine guns in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FN F2000</span> Bullpup assault rifle

The FN F2000 is a 5.56×45mm NATO bullpup rifle, designed by FN Herstal in Belgium. The F2000 made its debut in March 2001 at the IDEX defence exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bionix AFV</span> Singaporean infantry fighting vehicle

The Bionix (BX) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by ST Kinetics. Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers, it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia. The Bionix has been operational with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) since 1999 in a wide variety of adaptations including the Bionix II, Bionix 25 and Bionix 40/50 variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">QBZ-95</span> Chinese bullpup assault rifle

The Type 95 automatic rifle or QBZ-95 is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured by Norinco, and issued since 1995 as the service rifle for the People's Liberation Army, People's Armed Police and various paramilitary law enforcement agencies in the People's Republic of China. The rifle's designation "QBZ" stands for "'light weapon' —'rifle' (Bùqiāng)—'automatic' (Zìdòng)", in keeping with the coding standards of the Chinese defense industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OTs-14 Groza</span> Bullpup assault rifle

The OTs-14-4 "Groza-4" is a Russian selective fire bullpup assault rifle chambered for the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge. It was developed in the 1990s at the TsKIB SOO in Tula, Russia.

The SAR 80 is an assault rifle from Singapore.

ST Engineering Land Systems Ltd (STELS), formerly known as ST Kinetics, is a strategic business area of ST Engineering and handles land systems and specialty vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STK 50MG</span> Heavy machine gun

The STK 50 MG, formerly known as the CIS 50MG, is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed heavy machine gun developed and manufactured by Chartered Industries of Singapore in the late 1980s, in response to a request by the Singaporean Defence Ministry to replace the 12.7mm Browning M2HB machine guns then in ubiquitous service with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

The FB MSBS Grot is a family of modular assault rifle developed and manufactured by FB "Łucznik" Radom. Early prototypes were known as the MSBS-5.56 Radon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BR18</span> Bullpup assault rifle

The BR18 is a bullpup assault rifle made by ST Kinetics of Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malyuk</span> Ukrainian bullpup assault rifle

The Malyuk, also known as Vulcan or Vulcan-M, is an assault rifle developed by the Ukrainian arms company Interproinvest (IPI).

The Ammunition Command is the formation of the Singapore Army responsible for providing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with ammunition, explosives supply chain management and technical support for ammunition. Besides taking charge of the maintenance and storage of ammunition and explosives, they provide support for the fireworks display at national events such as the National Day Parade and Southeast Asian Games.

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Richard J, 2008.
  2. 1 2 "United States Patent Chee et a." Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "SAR 21 Product Brochure" (PDF). ST Engineering. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "Factsheet - Singapore Assault Rifle 21". Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  5. ↑ "Infantry Article Index". 19 November 1999. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  6. ↑ "Call to arms in Singapore yields explosive results". Fairfax Digital. 3 August 2003. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "SAR-21: Singapore's Bullpup Assault Rifle". July 2000. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 Charles Q Cutshaw (31 May 2000). "Singapore is rearing SAR 21 bullpup rifle for home and export requirement". Jane's International Defence Review: Land Forces News. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2010.
  9. ↑ "Anatomy of a blacklist: Singapore Technologies | StratPost". 24 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "The Ordnance Factory Board Scam – Compendium of Arms Trade Corruption" . Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Ex-DG of ordnance factory arrested on graft charges | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "Ordnance scam: Defence ministry blacklists six firms-Fwire News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  13. ↑ "ST Kinetics BR18: the ultimate bull-pup assault rifle? | GUNSweek.com".
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Singapore Technologies Kinetics SAR-21 assault rifle (Singapore)". Archived from the original on 9 August 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "SAR 21". Popular Mechanics. Archived from the original on 27 January 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  16. ↑ David Crane (16 March 2004). "SAR-21 Bullpup Assault Rifle: World's Best Combat Bullpup?". Defense Review. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  17. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ↑ "Factsheet: Urban Operations". MINDEF. 25 July 2006. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  19. ↑ "New Assault Rifle from ST Kinetics - The Firearm Blog". The Firearm Blog. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  20. ↑ Binnie, Jeremy; de Cherisey, Erwan (2017). "New-model African armies" (PDF). Jane's. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
  21. ↑ Mahmud, Hadi DP (20 February 2008). "RBTS and STK ink MoU deal for vehicle upkeep". The Brunei Times . Archived from the original on 27 February 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  22. ↑ Daniel Watters. "The 5.56 X 45mm: 2007". GunZone.Com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Weapon". Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "Factsheet - Singapore Assault Rifle 21". MINDEF. 19 May 2005. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
Bibliography
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.