FARA 83
One of South America's first indigenously designed assault rifles.
The FARA 83 (Fusil Automático República Argentina), also known as the FAA 81 (Fusil Automático Argentino), is an assault rifle designed and built in Argentina for its army during the 1980s. It ranks among the first assault rifles independently created in South America. Development began in the early 1980s under the National Reorganization Process government. The DGFM (Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares) sought a replacement for the FMAP FAL, a locally produced copy of the FN FAL. A prototype was finished in 1981, but production ran from 1984 to 1990. By the late 1980s, President Carlos Menem faced a severe economic crisis that limited modern weapon production. This forced him to cancel several projects, including the Condor I and Condor II, the FARA 83, and the SAIA 90. He also closed armament factories like TAMSE (which built TAM tanks) and the Domecq Garcia Shipyard (the country’s only submarine yard). After 1,193 rifles were completed, production stopped, then resumed in 1990. The total number made remains unclear. Most Argentine forces still use the FAL, with the FARA 83 serving as a secondary weapon. The FARA-83 was mostly inspired by the Beretta AR70 (Model of 1982). It features a folding stock and tritium sights for low-light aiming. It uses a proprietary 30-round Beretta AR70 magazine (early models) and a trigger group that allows both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. The FARA 83 appears in the video game *Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War*, unlocked at tier 15 of the Season 2 battle pass.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Argentina
- Is Ranged
- Yes
- Service
- 1984–present
- Used By
- Argentine Army
- Designer
- Enrique Chichizola
- Design Date
- 1981
- Manufacturer
- FMAP-DM
- Production Date
- 1984-1990
- Number
- 1193
- Weight
- 3.95 kg
- Length
- 1000 mm
- Part Length
- 452 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The FAA project began in the early 1980s, when the government was controlled by the National Reorganization Process. The DGFM (Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares) ordered a replacement for the FMAP FAL, a license-built FN FAL. The prototype was completed in 1981, but production did not start until 1984 and continued until 1990. By the late 1980s, under President Carlos Menem, economic difficulties severely limited production of modern weapons. This crisis forced the cancellation of several projects, including the FARA 83, and the closure of armament factories. Production halted after 1,193 rifles had been completed, but resumed in 1990; the total number made remains unknown. The Argentine Armed Forces are still primarily armed with the FAL, while the FARA 83 serves as a secondary weapon. The FARA-83 was mostly inspired by the Beretta AR70 (Model of 1982). It features a folding buttstock and tritium sights for low-light aiming. It uses a proprietary 30-round Beretta AR70 magazine (early issue) and has a trigger group enabling semi-automatic and fully automatic fire.
Reader's Guide
The FARA 83 represents a notable but limited chapter in Argentine arms development. As one of the first indigenously designed assault rifles in South America, it marked a departure from licensed foreign designs. However, its production was severely constrained by Argentina's economic crisis under President Carlos Menem, which led to the cancellation of the project and the closure of related factories. Only a small number were completed—at least 1,193—and the exact total remains uncertain. The rifle never replaced the FAL as the primary service weapon; instead, it became a secondary arm. Its design was heavily influenced by the Beretta AR70, incorporating a folding stock and tritium sights. The FARA 83's legacy is thus one of a promising but curtailed effort, a symbol of the economic and political challenges that shaped Argentina's defense industry in the late 20th century.
Did You Know?
- Production halted after 1,193 rifles were completed, then resumed in 1990; the total number made is unknown.
- It features tritium sights for aiming in low light conditions.
More in Assault Rifles, Part 2 1-24
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