Country of origin |
Taiwan |
Entered service |
2000 |
Caliber |
5.56 x 45 mm |
Weight (unloaded) |
~ 3.2 kg |
Length |
~ 880 mm |
Barrel length |
375 ~ 400 mm |
Muzzle velocity |
840
m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
700 - 800 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 100 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
30 rounds |
Sighting range |
400 m |
Range of effective fire |
400 m |
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The T86, or
Type 86, is an assault rifle, developed and produced in Taiwan. Even
though it looks like the US
M16, it
is an entirely different weapon. It was developed to replace the T65
series rifles in service with the Taiwanese armed forces.
Development started in 1992. An XT86 pre-production model was
introduced in 1997. The design was finalized and approved for
production in 1998. Production commenced in 2000. The T86 was
produced only during a short period of time until 2002. Only a
relatively small number of these assault rifles were manufactured
Tor the Taiwanese armed forces due to funding problems. Defense
budget priorities forced the Taiwanese military to delay complete
replacement of the previous T65 assault rifle for a couple of years.
Some sources report that just over 4 800 units were produced. The
only export operator of the T86 is Jordan, where this weapon is used
by royal guards and special forces. Since 2003 production switched
to an improved
T91 assault rifle, which was produced in much larger
numbers and by 2008 it became a standard-issue service rifle in all
branches of the Taiwanese military.
The T86 is
an evolution of the previous T65 series. It is a gas-operated,
selective fire weapon. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45
mm ammunition. It is based on the
Armalite AR-18 design and has a different gas action, comparing
with the Armalite AR-15 (M16). Also it lacks forward assist. Overall
the T86
is generally similar to the M16A2.
For cleaning
and maintenance this assault rifle can be field stripped without
using any special tools. Both the gas piston system and trigger
assembly can be removed as complete modular assemblies. It reduces
the risk of loosing small parts while cleaning the weapon.
A fire mode
selector is located on the left side of the receiver. It has 4
positions for "safe", "semi-auto", "3-round burst", and "full-auto".
This
Taiwanese assault rifle is fed from 30-round magazines. These are
compatible with standard NATO (M16-type)
magazines.
A baseline
version has a solid polymer buttstock. Later an improved version
with a telescopic
M4-style buttstock appeared.
This stock can be collapsed when required in order to reduce overall
length of the weapon.
The T86 has a built-in
carrying handle, which houses the rear sight post. This arrangement
is similar to that of the M16. Sighting range is
limited to 400 meters. At this range the weapon has good firing
accuracy. A scope can be mounted on the carrying handle. Effective
range of fire with the scope is around 600 meters.
This assault
rifle can mount a Taiwanese T85 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher.
It is equivalent to the US
M203.
The T86 can also launch rifle grenades. It can also mount a
knife-bayonet.
Variants
Version with
a telescopic stock. The stock is adjustable for reach. When required
the stock can be collapsed in order to reduce overall length of the
weapon. This version also has a Picatinny-type scope rail. A
detachable carrying handle with built-in rear sight is normally
mounted.
T86 carbine.
Is a version with a shorter barrel. In concept is is similar to the
US M4
carbine. This weapon has been exported to Jordan, where it is used
by the royal guards and special forces.
T91 is an
improved version of the T86. It has some features of the
Armalite
AR-15 (M16),
as well as some modern features, such as Picatinny-type accessory
rails. Production of this weapon commenced in 2003 and by 2008 it
replaced all service rifles in all branches of the Taiwanese
military.
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