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Ukraine State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort)
Fort-221
A Ukrainian bullpup carbine built by state manufacturer RPC Fort under an IWI license, based on the Israeli Tavor TAR. Chambered in 5.45x39mm, it has been issued to Ukrainian special forces, National Guard and Ministry of Internal Affairs units since around 2009. A shorter compact variant, the Fort-224, is based on the Tavor X95 and shares the same caliber and operating system.
In service since 2009
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-30
500
m range
750
rpm
890
m/s
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
National export licensing
Subject to Ukraine export-control approval; verify eligibility with the manufacturer.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 2009. Status: active.
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.
Overview
The Fort-221 is a bullpup carbine manufactured by Ukraine's state small-arms producer RPC Fort under a licensing agreement with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI, then IMI), based on the Tavor TAR. Chambered for the Soviet-legacy 5.45x39mm cartridge to remain compatible with Ukraine's existing ammunition stocks, it measures about 645 mm overall with a 375 mm barrel and weighs approximately 4.3 kg loaded, with an advertised rate of fire between roughly 500 and 1,000 rounds per minute (commonly cited around 750 rpm), a muzzle velocity near 890 m/s, and an effective range out to about 500 meters. A shorter compact companion, the Fort-224, is based on the smaller IWI Tavor X95 and is produced in both 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm chamberings, sharing the Fort-221's operating system and bullpup layout in a more compact package suited to vehicle crews and close-quarters work. Ukraine began producing Tavor-pattern rifles under the Fort-221/Fort-224 designations around 2008-2009, and in 2014 Ukrainian Armed Forces officials announced their formal adoption, with an initial order of about 500 units. Because RPC Fort falls under Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the type has seen its widest issue with Interior Ministry-linked forces, including the National Guard, Presidential Guard and various Spetsnaz units (including the 1st, 3rd and 8th Spetsnaz Regiments), rather than as a general-issue rifle for the regular army. Production volumes have remained comparatively low next to Ukraine's mainstay AKM-derived service rifles, and the Fort-221/224 family continues to see niche special-operations and internal-security use as of the most recent open-source reporting.
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. | 750 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 890 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 5.45x39mm bullpup carbine; the shorter Fort-224 variant (based on the IWI Tavor X95) is also produced in 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 5.5 mm |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.65 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 4 kg |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 375 mm |
Specifications compiled from public State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-30.
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Tula Arms Plant AEK-971 Frequently asked questions
How much does the State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221 weigh? +
The State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221 has a combat weight of 4 kg.
What is the main armament of the State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221? +
The State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221's primary weapon is the 5.45x39mm bullpup carbine; the shorter Fort-224 variant (based on the IWI Tavor X95) is also produced in 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm.
What is the State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221 used for? +
The State Research and Production Association "Fort" (RPC Fort) Fort-221 is a rifle & long arms typically used for close quarters battle, special operations.
