T91 Assault Rifle
205th Arsenal, Combined Service Forces · Assault Rifle · In Production · 2003
Also known as: Type 91, T91 Combat Rifle
Overview
The T91 Assault Rifle is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by 205th Arsenal, Combined Service Forces since 2003. Safety features include manual safety selector, fire selector, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3170 g (111.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 880 mm (34.65") |
| Folded Length | 800 mm (31.50") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 975 m/s (3199 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1902 J (1403 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 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 | 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: Rotating Bolt, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Telescoping Stock, Select Fire, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Picatinny Rail, Rubber Recoil Pad, Flash Suppressor, Grenade Launcher Compatible, Four Position Selector
Variants
- T91 Carbine — Carbine
- T91K3 — Improved Accuracy
Service history
Operators
- Republic of China Armed Forces · adopted 2003 · as T91
- Republic of China Military Police · adopted 2003 · as T91
- Jordanian Armed Forces · as T91
- Kuwaiti Armed Forces · as T91
- Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina · as T91
- United Arab Emirates Armed Forces · as T91
- Indian Armed Forces · as T91
- Haitian National Police · as T91
Production
Estimated total produced: 294,000 · Production years: 2003-present
Taiwan: approximately 240,000 units. Jordan: 20,000. Kuwait: 18,000. UAE: 10,000. Bosnia and Herzegovina: 5,000. India: 1,000. Haiti: 100. Annual production capacity estimated at 40,000 units as of 2016.
Origin
Country of origin: Taiwan
Notes
In 2003, the Taiwanese Army ordered 101,162 T91 rifles as force-wide replacements for all service rifles, with delivery scheduled from 2004 to 2008. By 2008, the T91 had replaced all previous service rifles including the T65 series across all branches of the Taiwanese military. The T91K3 variant features polygonal rifling for increased barrel life and improved accuracy. The telescoping stock was designed based on Taiwanese military and police experience with the M4 Carbine, resulting in improved recoil transfer and handling. Production numbers exceed 240,000 for Taiwan alone, with significant export orders to Jordan (20,000), Kuwait (18,000), the UAE (10,000), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (5,000).
Background
The T91 represents the culmination of Taiwan's decades-long effort to develop an indigenous service rifle, tracing its lineage from the T65 (1976), through the T86 (2000), to the T91 (2003). Taiwan's arms industry, isolated diplomatically from most of the world, developed the T91 as a modern combat rifle that could compete on the international market despite the country's unique political situation. The rifle's successful export to multiple Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian nations demonstrated that Taiwan's defense industry could produce world-class small arms.