Type 65 Assault Rifle
Encyclopedia
The T65 is an assault rifle
developed and manufactured by the Combined Service Forces of ROC Army in Taiwan
. Originally patterned after the Armalite AR-18 that has the short-stroke gas system, prototype unveiled in 1975 showed a rifle that is externally very-heavily influenced by the M4/M16
, albeit with modified iron sights
, reshaped stock, and redesigned handguards. The designated number '65' refers to the Year 65 of Republic of China
(1976), the year development of this model was finalized.
Upgraded versions were designated the Type 65K2 and Type 65K3.
and the marine corps
, the truly-satisfactory T65K2 model quickly displacing all previous ones in frontline units. Although the military did not replace the T65s with the T86
in 1997, the military police
is already being issued with the follow-on T91
in 2002.
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
developed and manufactured by the Combined Service Forces of ROC Army in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. Originally patterned after the Armalite AR-18 that has the short-stroke gas system, prototype unveiled in 1975 showed a rifle that is externally very-heavily influenced by the M4/M16
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
, albeit with modified iron sights
Iron sights
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
, reshaped stock, and redesigned handguards. The designated number '65' refers to the Year 65 of Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(1976), the year development of this model was finalized.
Upgraded versions were designated the Type 65K2 and Type 65K3.
Service Use
The T65 assault rifle was the standard issue weapon for the armyRepublic of China Army
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades...
and the marine corps
Republic of China Marine Corps
Republic of China Marine CorpsPersonnel15,000 The Republic of China Marine Corps is the amphibious arm of the Republic of China Navy responsible for amphibious combat, counter-landing and reinforcement of the main island of Taiwan, remote islands, defense of ROCN facilities, and also functions as...
, the truly-satisfactory T65K2 model quickly displacing all previous ones in frontline units. Although the military did not replace the T65s with the T86
T86 assault rifle
The T86 assault rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled assault rifle. It is the second original rifle design conducted by the 205th Armory of Combined Service Forces, Republic of China...
in 1997, the military police
Republic of China Military Police
The Republic of China Military Police is a military police body under the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China . Unlike military police in many other countries, ROCMP is a separate branch of the ROC Armed Forces.-Warlords Era:...
is already being issued with the follow-on T91
T91 assault rifle
The T91 assault rifle is produced by the 205th Armory, Ministry of Defense, Republic of China . It is based on the proven T86 assault rifle incorporating features from the M16 and AR-18 rifles with more modern features...
in 2002.