SAKO has officially launched the ARG (Arctic Rifle Generation), a next-generation NATO-standard rifle platform developed in close collaboration with the Finnish and Swedish Defence Forces.

As we’ve previously reported, since joining NATO Sweden and Finland also decided to standardize on a common NATO-compatible rifle platform for the two countries to replace their legacy assault rifles (licensed FNC variants in Sweden and the 7.62x39mm AK-derived RK series in Finland).

Swedish Army AK5B 5.56mm NATO assault rifle in Squad Designated Marksman Rifle configuration. The AK5 is license-built variant of the Belgian FNC with certain features adapted to Swedish requirements.
The Finnish Defence Force introduced an upgraded and modernized version of their AK-based 7.62x39mm RK62 introduced in 2019. It includes a MagPul stock, a rail system for mounting modern optical sights, and an M-Lock fore-end for attaching other accessories.

 

Based on the common platform adopted by the Swedish and Finnish militaries, the SAKO ARG platform is purpose-built for Arctic warfare and tested to NATO D14 standards. It is of course an adaptation of the proven AR platform, enhanced with advanced engineering to meet the demands of modern combat in tough Arctic environments, and is fully ambidextrous, with safety selectors, magazine releases, and bolt catch mechanisms, ensuring intuitive operation for both left- and right-handed users.

It is interesting that the platform offers both a short-stroke gas piston system and a traditional direct impingement system. There is also a 7.62mm NATO version as well as the 5.56mm NATO versions.

The three different models in the ARG family are:

ARG40GP – gas piston version of the selective-fire 5.56mm ARG platform is available with three barrel lengths (11.5-inch, 14.5-inch, 16-inch), two rifling twist options, and either a single- or two-stage trigger.
ARG 40 DI – direct impingement version of the selective-fire  5.56mm NATO rifle, and is available with the same barrel lengths, rifling twists, and trigger options as the gas piston version.

 

ARG 50 GP – gas piston driven, semi-auto only 7.62mm NATO designated marksman rifle version of the platform. It features a 16-inch barrel with a 1:10 twist rate and a two-stage trigger.

 

Purpose-built for the modern Warfighter.

The ARG series is solely available for Military and Law Enforcement customers and is not available to the civilian market. Each rifle is equipped with a SAKO match-grade trigger unit and a cold-hammer forged, hard-chrome lined barrel for long-term durability and maintaining accuracy over thousands of rounds.

The ARG’s modular architecture includes a configurable rear stock and forend, with standardized mounting systems such as Picatinny, M-LOK, so operators can easily attach optics, thermals, lasers, and other tactical enablers depending on their mission-specific profile. Key components of the platform are interoperable with other NATO-standard AR platforms as well – simplifying maintenance and logistics, and improving interoperability.

For more details, visit SAKO’s dedicated webpage.