FN ARKA
FN Herstal · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2026
Also known as: FN Arka, ARKA, FN SCAR Mk3
Overview
The FN ARKA is a 5.56x45mm NATO select-fire assault rifle unveiled by FN Herstal on 2 June 2026 ahead of its formal debut at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. It is FN's first entirely new military rifle architecture since the SCAR of 2004, pairing the proven SCAR operating system - a short-stroke gas piston with a rotating bolt and an adjustable gas regulator for adverse-condition and suppressed firing - with the familiar ergonomics and controls of the AR-15. The ARKA accepts AR-pattern pistol grips and buttstocks and standard AR-compatible optics, suppressors, and accessories, while adding fully ambidextrous controls including a T-shaped charging handle, magazine release, fire selector, and a symmetrical bolt catch for either-shoulder operation. The standard model carries a 14.5-inch barrel with a short or long M-LOK handguard; a CQC variant uses an 11.25-inch close-quarters barrel with the short handguard. The rifle is offered in black and flat dark earth and is supported by a dedicated flow-through suppressor.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 935 mm (36.81") |
| Barrel Length | 368 mm (14.49") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Hard Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Adjustable Gas Regulator, Free Floating Handguard, M Lok Rail, Picatinny Rail, Ambidextrous Controls, Ambidextrous Charging Handle, Telescoping Stock, Ar15 Compatible Furniture, Select Fire, Threaded Muzzle, Suppressor Ready
Variants
- FN ARKA CQC — Close Quarters
Production
Production years: 2026-present
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Notes
Standard model: 14.5-inch (368 mm) barrel, overall length 849.5-934.5 mm depending on stock position, about 3.9 kg with empty magazine. CQC model: 11.25-inch (286 mm) barrel, overall length 735-820 mm, about 3.7 kg. Cyclic rate roughly 600-700 rounds per minute. Both selective-fire and semi-automatic-only trigger configurations are offered. Twist rate listed (1:7) is the standard 5.56 NATO convention and is not yet manufacturer-confirmed for the ARKA.
Background
Procurement programs increasingly demand AR-pattern user interfaces, so FN Herstal grafted the battle-proven short-stroke gas piston of its SCAR - fielded by more than 20 armed forces - onto an AR-15 ergonomic shell to create the ARKA, its first clean-sheet military rifle in two decades and informally dubbed the 'SCAR Mk3.'