ST Engineering has debuted the latest evolution of its renowned Singapore Assault Rifle – 21st Century (SAR 21) at the 2024 International Defense Exhibit, the Singapore Airshow. The Next Gen SAR (Singapore Assault Rifle – 21st Century) represents a significant advancement from its predecessor, the SAR 21, focusing on enhanced urban combat capabilities while retaining versatility. The Next Gen SAR bullpup assault rifle, unveiled during the Singapore Airshow 2024 at the Changi Exhibition Centre, offers the compactness and maneuverability advantages of a bullpup rifle, making it ideal for close-quarter engagements in urban environments. However, it also provides flexibility by accommodating conventional warfare accessories.
Featuring various configurations, including a standard setup and specialized options like a sharpshooter configuration equipped with a fire-control system for tracking moving targets, and a grenade-launching configuration integrated with ST Engineering’s STK40GL side-loading launcher, the Next Gen SAR caters to diverse operational needs. With a weight of approximately 4 kg and a rifling twist rate of one in 178 mm (one in seven inches), the Next Gen SAR maintains familiarity with the SAR 21’s specifications, including a barrel length of 508 mm and an adjustable butt-stock for improved ergonomics. Notably, it introduces ambidextrous ejection to accommodate left-handed shooters effectively.
(Photo by MINDEF Singapore)
The transition from the SAR 21 to the Next Gen SAR symbolizes a significant leap in firearm technology, akin to the metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly. Retaining the core attributes of its predecessor, the Next Gen SAR offers heightened control and adaptability, making it a formidable asset in various combat scenarios, particularly in urban environments. Moreover, the SAR 21’s legacy extends beyond its home country, with international adoption by armed forces worldwide. Notably, the Brunei Armed Forces, Indonesian National Police’s Mobile Brigade Corps (BRIMOB), and the Moroccan Royal Guard have all recognized the SAR 21’s reliability and effectiveness, further solidifying its reputation on the global stage.
The SAR 21 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. Many of its design features are directly intended to address the weaknesses of the M16S1 as encountered operationally by some infantrymen. In the United States, it was marketed by ST Kinetics via its American subsidiary, VT Systems.
