CAR 816
Caracal International LLC · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2013
Also known as: Sultan, Caracal Sultan, CAR816, PC 816 V1
Overview
The Caracal CAR 816, also known as the Sultan, is a 5.56x45mm NATO gas-operated assault rifle manufactured by Caracal International LLC in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. First publicly revealed to defense officials in 2013 and to the general public in 2015, the CAR 816 represents an evolutionary improvement over both the Heckler & Koch HK416 and SIG Sauer SIG516, designed by principal firearms engineers Robert Hirt and Chris Sirois-the same engineers who developed the HK416 and SIG516, respectively. The CAR 816 is based on the AR-15 platform's ergonomic architecture but employs a short-stroke gas piston operating system rather than direct impingement, featuring a user-adjustable three-position gas valve. Position one provides normal operation, position two accommodates adverse conditions or low-impulse ammunition, and position three enables suppressed fire. The standard 16-inch barrel variant weighs 7.4 pounds empty and features an M4 carbine profile cold-hammer-forged chrome-lined barrel with a 1:7-inch (178mm) right-hand twist rate with 6 lands and grooves. The rifle features STANAG 4179 magazine compatibility, accepting standard NATO 30-round magazines, and is equipped with a full-length Picatinny top rail, M-LOK handguard, ambidextrous controls, and folding backup iron sights. Originally designed to excel in desert environments, the CAR 816 has been adopted as the primary infantry assault rifle of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces and has seen export success with elite units in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3357 g (118.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3927 g (138.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 876 mm (34.49") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke Piston |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 27 N (6.1 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 922 m/s (3025 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1700 J (1254 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 780 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Hard Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Short Stroke Gas Piston, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Three Position Gas Valve, Picatinny Rail Top, M Lok Handguard, Ambidextrous Controls, Folding Sights, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Free Floating Barrel, Flared Magazine Well, Dust Cover, Forward Assist, M4 Feed Ramps, Select Fire, Desert Optimized, Over The Beach Capability
Variants
- CAR 816 PDW — Pdw
- CAR 816 CQB — Compact
- CAR 816 Carbine — Carbine
- CAR 816 A2 — Civilian Semi Auto
Service history
Operators
- United Arab Emirates Armed Forces · adopted 2013 · as CAR 816 Sultan
- Ethiopian Republican Guard
- Indonesian Kopassus · as PC 816 V1
- Indonesian Kostrad · as PC 816 V1
- Indonesian Marine Corps · as PC 816 V1
Conflicts
- Yemen Civil War (2014-present)
- Libyan Civil War (2014-present)
Production
Production years: 2013-present
Standard issue for UAE Armed Forces. Export sales to Ethiopia, Indonesia, and civilian markets in the United States.
Origin
Country of origin: United Arab Emirates
Designer: Robert Hirt, Chris Sirois
Notes
The CAR 816's development lineage is particularly interesting: principal engineer Robert Hirt was instrumental in developing the HK416 at Heckler & Koch before being recruited by SIG Sauer to work with Chris Sirois on the SIG516-itself an improved version of the HK416. Both engineers were then recruited by Caracal International to create a rifle superior to both their previous designs, resulting in the CAR 816. The three-position adjustable gas valve is a key feature, allowing the rifle to function reliably in harsh desert conditions, with fouled components, or when firing suppressed. The original production models featured chrome-lined barrels for enhanced durability and corrosion resistance in desert environments, while the civilian CAR 816 A2 variant exported to the United States uses QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) 4150 Chrome-Moly-Vanadium steel with QPQ Black Nitride finish-a treatment Caracal considers superior to chrome plating for civilian applications. The rate of fire was reduced from an initial 850 RPM to 780 RPM in production models to improve controllability and reduce barrel wear. Available barrel lengths include 7.5-inch PDW (effective range 200m), 10.5-inch CQB (effective range 300m), 14.5-inch carbine, and 16-inch standard rifle configuration. The rifle shares parts commonality with AR-15 platform components including the lower receiver, trigger group, and buttstock, while the upper receiver and gas system are proprietary Caracal designs. Indonesia adopted a locally-designated version called the PC 816 V1 for special operations and marine units.
Background
The CAR 816 represents an ambitious project by the United Arab Emirates to establish domestic small arms manufacturing capability and reduce dependence on foreign weapons suppliers. Caracal International recruited two of the world's most respected AR-platform engineers-Robert Hirt and Chris Sirois-who brought decades of experience developing the HK416 and SIG516. The result was a rifle that incorporated lessons learned from both previous designs while adding features specifically optimized for desert warfare. The Sultan name reflects the rifle's Emirati heritage and its intended role as the UAE's premier assault rifle. The weapon's three-position gas regulator was specifically engineered to handle the fine sand and extreme temperatures of desert environments, a problem that has plagued many gas-operated rifles deployed to the Middle East. The CAR 816's adoption by the UAE Armed Forces marked a significant milestone for Caracal International, demonstrating that the young company (founded 2006) could produce military-grade weapons competitive with established European and American manufacturers. The rifle's export success to Indonesian special forces and Ethiopian Republican Guard units further validated the design. When Caracal USA introduced the semi-automatic CAR 816 A2 to the American civilian market, it represented one of the first times a UAE-designed rifle competed directly in the competitive US sporting rifle market, going head-to-head with established brands like HK, SIG, and Daniel Defense.