AOR M21
| AOR M21 | |
|---|---|
 AOR M21 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| 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 |
| Caliber | 5.56mm |
| Feed system | 30 round STANAG magazine |
| Sights | Iron |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2023) |
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]
Then, 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
This makes the rifle flexible to meet the needs of various operational needs.
The rifle is ambidextrous meaning that the control leavers such as the magazine release and safety catch are ergonomic to both left and right-handed users.
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
- ^ "Greek rifle AOR (AOP) | Presented before the Hellenic Army General Staff". 7 July 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Greek Domestic Assault Rifle". 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Παρουσίαση στο ΓΕΣ του Εθνικού Όπλου Άορ". 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Greek rifle AOR (AOP) | Presented before the Hellenic Army General Staff". defenceredefined.com.cy. Defence Redefined. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
 | This article needs additional or more specific categories. (July 2023) |