ARX-160

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Summary

Country🇮🇹 Italy
CategoryAssault rifle
ManufacturerBeretta

Technical specifications

ARX-160
Fire Rate800 rounds/min.
Caliber5.56 x 45 mm OTAN
Magazine30 rounds
Length900 mm (35.4 in)
Weight3.0 kg (6.6 lb)
Range600 m (1969 ft)

Description

The Beretta ARX160 is an Italian modular assault rifle developed for the Italian Armed Forces' Soldato Futuro program, intended to replace the Beretta AR70/90 series. Launched in 2008 as a commercial system, its project originated as an evolution of the AR70/90, initially proposed as a material update before developing through various prototypes into the definitive version. Field trials in Afghanistan began in 2008 with an initial batch of 800 weapons. Subsequent orders in 2010 and 2012 brought the total supplied to Italian forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Forces) to around 30,000 by 2014.

Development continued with configurations in 7.62×39mm introduced in 2012, the ARX160 A2, and the ARX160 A3 in 2013 with design improvements. In 2014, development of the 7.62×51mm NATO ARX200 battle rifle began, introduced in late 2015. The ARX160 was evaluated in the cancelled US Army Individual Carbine competition and tenders in Argentina, India, and France. Romania selected the ARX160 A3 to replace older firearms in 2019.

The rifle is primarily constructed from polymer for both the upper and lower receivers and operates via a short-stroke piston system. It is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm. The 5.56×45mm version uses STANAG magazines, while the 7.62×39mm version uses AK-pattern magazines. Key features include ambidextrous controls for safety, magazine release, bolt release, and charging handle. It is equipped with Picatinny rails and a foldable telescopic stock. A quick-change barrel system allows barrel removal without tools.

Other features and characteristics include:

  • Ability to change the side of spent casing ejection

  • Lightweight, chrome-lined, hammer-forged barrel

  • Standard barrel length of 16 inches (12-inch barrel for special operators)

  • Flash hider with cuts to control muzzle climb

  • 1:7 twist rate

  • Polymer back-up iron sights; rear sight with six range positions

  • Compatibility with optical sights and accessories via the Soldato Futuro program

The bayonet lug position varied between initial designs (above the barrel) and the ARX160 A3 (under the barrel), with the A3 design compatible with the M9 bayonet.

Variants include:

  • ARX160: Baseline model, configurable in 5.56×45mm NATO or 7.62×39mm, with Picatinny rails, quick-change barrels, adjustable stock, and ambidextrous controls, using STANAG or AKM magazines.

  • ARX160 SF (Special Forces)/ARX160 A2: A version with a shorter stock, extended bottom rail, and a 12-inch barrel, developed for Italian special forces.

  • ARX160 A3: Features an improved pistol grip and handguard design for ventilation and weight reduction, with an updated bayonet lug position compatible with M9 bayonets and FKMD Oplita or Extrema Ratio Fulcrum Ranger bayonets.

  • ARX100: A semi-automatic only civilian variant chambered in 5.56×45mm (.223 Remington) with a 16-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, quick-change barrel, and the improved A3 pistol grip but the older handguard design, lacking a bayonet lug.

  • ARX160 22 LR: A semi-automatic rimfire variant in .22 Long Rifle with various barrel lengths and magazine capacities.

  • ARX200: A derivative chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO; a battle rifle/designated marksman rifle with a short-stroke gas piston system, rotating bolt, fully ambidextrous controls (except ejection side), reversible charging handle, quick-change free-floating barrel, modular magazine well, and optional ICS optic.

Users of the ARX160 include Albania, Algeria, Egypt, Italy, Kazakhstan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. Specifically, the forces using this rifle are military police, Special Operations Battalions, special police in Albania; special forces, presidential guard in Algeria; Sa'ka Forces, Navy special forces in Egypt; Arma dei Carabinieri, Italian Army, Navy, Air Force in Italy; Special Forces in Kazakhstan; Peshmerga in Iraqi Kurdistan; Federal Police, Policia Metropolitana de Guadalajara in Mexico; Prison Service in Poland; Qatar Armed Forces in Qatar; Romanian Land Forces in Romania; Special Operations Forces in Russia; military in Turkmenistan; and Armed Forces in Ukraine.