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Iran Strengthens Precision Shooting Capabilities with Russian Orsis T-5000M Rifles for Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has received Orsis T-5000M sniper rifles from Russia, marking a notable addition to the country's ground forces arsenal. These new weapons were unveiled during the second phase of the KVR military exercises "Great Prophet-19," where they were not only displayed to the media but also actively used by IRGC sniper teams for long-range shooting in mountainous terrain.
The Orsis T-5000M is a bolt-action, magazine-fed precision rifle known for its accuracy (Picture source: TasnimNews)
The Orsis T-5000M is a bolt-action, magazine-fed precision rifle known for its accuracy. Depending on the caliber, it enables precise targeting at distances of up to 1,500 meters. The manufacturer claims an accuracy of 0.5 arcminutes, equivalent to a grouping of 11 cm at 800 meters. Unlike the 7.62x51 caliber sniper rifles commonly used by Iran’s ground forces, these Russian rifles utilize a more powerful caliber, providing extended range and improved accuracy.
Manufactured by the Moscow-based company Orsis, the T-5000M is available in various calibers, including .308 Win, .300 Win Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, .375 H&H, 6.5 Creedmoor, and, more recently, .300 Norma Magnum. This model has been adopted by Russian special forces and widely deployed during the large-scale invasion of Ukraine. It has also been exported under defense contracts to several countries, including China, Iraq, Syria, Belarus, and other Arab and Asian nations.
The Orsis rifle has been documented in multiple conflicts worldwide. In 2020, T-5000 rifles were spotted in the possession of Islamic State and Hezbollah fighters, likely obtained as battlefield trophies from Iraqi forces. A photograph from May 2020 shows a Hezbollah fighter equipped with an Orsis T-5000M fitted with an Iranian-made RU60G thermal sight, indicating the weapon’s presence among non-state armed groups.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to expand its production of Dragunov (SVD) sniper rifles for its own military, while temporarily halting large-scale manufacturing of next-generation precision rifles such as the Chukavin (SVC). The Kalashnikov Concern recently announced its first contracts for 2025 and a significant increase in SVD production volumes. The SVD, chambered in 7.62x54R, was designed between 1958 and 1963 by Soviet engineer Yevgeny Dragunov. While still in use, it is considered outdated, prompting Russia to introduce the SVC in 2017 as its successor.
With the recent acquisition of Orsis T-5000M rifles, Iran is enhancing its long-range precision shooting capabilities, particularly within the IRGC. This development reflects Iran’s efforts to upgrade its security forces' equipment and integrate more advanced precision weaponry into its arsenal.