Khaybar KH2002
Defense Industries Organization · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2004
Also known as: Khaybar, KH-2002, KH2002, DIO KH2002
Overview
The Khaybar KH2002 is an Iranian bullpup select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and manufactured by the Defense Industries Organization. First shown in 2004, it is a bullpup conversion of Iran's S 5.56 rifle, itself a copy of the Chinese Norinco CQ clone of the American M16, and uses an M16-pattern direct-impingement gas system with a multi-lug rotating bolt. The bullpup layout packs a full-length barrel into a compact 780mm overall length, and the rifle feeds from STANAG-compatible 30-round magazines through a select-fire trigger offering semi-automatic, three-round burst, and full-automatic modes. It was developed to replace Iran's aging 7.62x51mm Heckler & Koch G3 rifles with a lighter, more compact 5.56mm platform for infantry and security forces.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4060 g (143.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 780 mm (30.71") |
| Barrel Length | 510 mm (20.08") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1620 J (1195 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 450 m (492 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 825 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel And Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Fire Selector
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Select Fire, Picatinny Rail, M16 Type Rotating Bolt, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Optical Sight Rail
Variants
- Khaybar KH2002 Carbine — Compact
- Khaybar KH2002 DMR — Marksman
Service history
Operators
- Iranian Armed Forces · adopted 2004 · as KH2002
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps · adopted 2005 · as KH2002
- Iranian Law Enforcement Forces (NAJA) · as KH2002
Conflicts
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Production years: 2004-present
Production numbers not publicly disclosed. Serial production confirmed since 2004 for Iranian military and security forces.
Origin
Country of origin: Iran
Notes
Development began in 2001, with samples produced in 2003 and serial production from 2004. Offered in three barrel configurations: short (carbine), medium (standard), and long (designated marksman). The M16-type bolt carrier group is broadly interchangeable with M16 family parts, and the rifle uses M16/STANAG magazines. Iran's domestic 5.56x45mm production supports the rifle's logistics chain despite arms embargoes. Reported overall lengths vary by source and barrel configuration (roughly 730-780mm).
Background
Named after the Battle of Khaybar (628 AD) in early Islamic history, the KH2002 was Iran's effort to modernize its infantry small arms despite international arms embargoes. Its lineage traces a notable path: the American M16 design, copied by China as the Norinco CQ, acquired by Iran as the S 5.56, then reworked into a domestic bullpup as the Khaybar KH2002.