Taiwan develops XT112 5.56mm assault rifle to be launched in 2023.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced on September 15, 2023, at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition, that the XT112 rifle, designed to replace existing military firearms, is on track for completion by the end of the year. The Armaments Bureau confirmed that the rifle, entirely engineered and manufactured in Taiwan, boasts several enhancements over its predecessors, the T91 and T65K2 models.
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New XT112 Taiwanese assault rifle chamber in 5.56mm (Picture source: Tawainase MoD GACC )

The barrel of the XT112 is more robust than those of the T91 and T65K2, contributing to its superior accuracy. According to Lee, the XT112 achieves shot groupings of 9.8 cm at a 100-meter range, compared to the T91's 14.5 cm at the same distance. The weapon features four firing modes: safety, semi-automatic, two-shot bursts, and fully automatic. It is also chambered in 5.56mm and comes with a 30-round magazine.

The XT112 also introduces ergonomic improvements. Features like the selector lever, magazine release button, and cocking handle latch are ambidextrous, offering easy access for both left-handed and right-handed users. In contrast, these controls were one-sided on earlier models. Moreover, the rifle's rail mount complies with international standards, providing greater flexibility for attaching accessories. Users can now mount grenade launchers, sights, and laser aiming modules at various points along the rail, unlike the fixed positions available on previous models.

The XT112 also incorporates a built-in, retractable bipod in the foregrip, facilitating low-posture shooting. The magazine features a transparent casing for quick ammunition level checks and is constructed from a composite plastic material, enhancing its durability and reducing the likelihood of jams. This is a marked improvement over the aluminum magazines used in the T91 and T65K2 models. Additionally, the XT112 comes standard with a steel flash suppressor featuring indentations at the tip, allowing it to serve as both a melee weapon and a wire cutter. Such features were only available upon request in older models.

Pending successful operational tests later this year, the XT112 is slated to gradually phase out existing rifle models across Taiwan's military services.

Defense News September 2023