Iran has chosen MASAF-2 automatic rifles in an atypical caliber to replace the H&K G3 rifles commonly used in the military.

Brigadier General Qiyumars Heydari, Commander of the Iranian Army, announced the plans to modernize the small arms arsenal.

“Following Admiral Sayyari’s order, the Army has officially abandoned the G3 rifle after 53 years of service. It has been replaced by the state-of-the-art MASAF-2 weapon developed by our specialists and mass-produced,” he stated.

MASAF-2 was introduced by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization in 2021, after which it was repeatedly spotted in service with special units. However, mass supply to the troops began only in recent months.

The first generation of the rifle in the basic 5.56×45 caliber for the field was introduced two years earlier, but it was the second version chambered for the 7.62×51 NATO cartridge that was chosen for rearmament.

The choice of a larger and more powerful caliber for a mass assault rifle can be explained by the Iranian military’s specific views on small arms tactics in the region. However, a more likely reason could be the Iranian government’s reluctance to start an equally costly upgrade of its arsenals along with costly rearmament – the G3, chambered for 7.62×51, had been the main rifle in the army for half a century.

The MASAF-2 is structurally similar to the more modern German HK416 assault rifle, using a short-stroke gas piston action. Its dual-mode fire switch is designed to fire single shots or bursts.

The rifle is constructed with extensive use of plastic and aluminum, which, with its larger caliber and 450 mm barrel, has resulted in a weight reduction of 3.99 kilograms.

The new rifle reflects the long experience of operating the German Gewehr 3, as it retains the same sights. At the same time, box magazines retain their 20-round capacity but have different interface connections.

The rifle has a telescopic folding stock. The forend and receiver are equipped with strips to quickly install typical attachments: sights, flashlights, fire transfer handles, etc. It is also possible to install an under-barrel grenade launcher.

Interestingly, until recently, the MASAF-2 had a Russian competitor in the form of a local licensed copy of the Kalashnikov AK-103 rifle under the local name AK-133. Like the original design, it used 7.62×39 caliber ammunition.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously purchased a batch of Russian Orsis T-5000M precision rifles.