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Austria Steyr Arms
AUG A3
The modernized version of Steyr's pioneering AUG bullpup rifle, adding a Picatinny rail atop the receiver in place of the original integrated 1.5x scope. It remains the standard-issue rifle of the Austrian Bundesheer and is used by over 20 armed forces worldwide.
In service since 1997 · 25 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
500
m range
680
rpm
970
m/s
30
rds
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
National export licensing
Subject to Austria export-control approval; verify eligibility with the manufacturer.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 25 operators
In service since 1997. Status: active · ~400,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 500 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 680 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 970 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 5.56×45 mm NATO |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 5.6 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 30 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.79 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 4 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 1 |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 508 mm |
Munition
Round type, penetration, velocity and projectile data.
| Caliber Bore diameter the round is fired from. | 6 mm |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 400,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 25 |
Specifications compiled from public Steyr Arms and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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Tula Arms Plant AEK-971 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the Steyr Arms AUG A3 require? +
The Steyr Arms AUG A3 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the Steyr Arms AUG A3? +
The Steyr Arms AUG A3's primary weapon is the 5.56×45 mm NATO.
What is the Steyr Arms AUG A3 used for? +
The Steyr Arms AUG A3 is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the Steyr Arms AUG A3? +
The Steyr Arms AUG A3 is operated by 25 countries.
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