Thailand considers to acquire newly unveiled locally-developed 5.56mm assault rifle

 

The NARAC556 assault rifle from NARAC Arms Industries. Photo c/o AAG_Th Thai Defense Page.

The Thai Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that it interested in acquiring a new AR-15 based locally-developed 5.56mm assault rifle from Thai company NARAC Arms Industries Co. Ltd..

The new rifle, called the NARAC556, is available in different variants including using a 20-inch long barrel with a firing range of 400 meters, and 14.5-inch long barrel with a firing range of 250 meters. The firearm is also available in shorter barrels as a personnel defense weapon.

The NARAC556 uses standard 5.56 x 45mm NATO rounds, allows the use of standard AR-15 30-round magazine, and operates with a short stroke piston gas system and has  a free-floating barrel design. Picatinny rail allows for installation of different accessories including optics and foregrips.

Components of the rifle are said to have an 80% local content, and has been tested to pass durability tests of firing 6,000 rounds continuously.

Once it enters service with the Thai Armed Forces, it it would be called the MOD 963 for the 20-inch rifle, and MOD 963 AR for the 14.5 inch carbine versions.

Units expected to first receive the rifle are those still using the M16 and CAR-15 rifles, including the Security Battalion and the Military Police, as well as the Royal Thai Armed forces Headquarters and supporting units, as front line units have been issued recently with the IWI Tavor 5.56mm bullpop rifle.


[1] AAG_TH Thai Defense Page