According to information published by CNA on October 9, 2024, the Republic of China Armed Forces will start upgrading to the new T112 combat rifles beginning next year, with plans to acquire 86,114 units. The new T112 rifle boasts significant improvements over the current T91 rifle, including a higher shooting accuracy, better ergonomics, and increased durability.
The T112 rifle significantly improves shooting accuracy, with a dispersion area at 100 meters of 9.8 cm, compared to the T91’s 14 cm. This precision upgrade is described as improving accuracy “from the size of a hand to the size of a palm.” The rifle retains the same 5.56 mm caliber as the T91, making it compatible with existing ammunition supplies.
The T112’s ambidextrous design, including dual-sided charging handles, enhances operational flexibility, especially in close-quarter battle (CQB) scenarios. The rifle has undergone ergonomic enhancements, such as a redesigned trigger with a near-90-degree angle to improve shooting control, a modified grip angle, and the addition of a deflector behind the ejection port to direct spent cartridges away from the shooter.
The T112 also uses a more durable composite magazine instead of the aluminum version found in previous models, which reduces the risk of deformation during impact and ensures smoother loading.
Several improvements make the T112 more suitable for diverse combat situations. The rifle features an aluminum alloy handguard with tactical rails, allowing soldiers to attach various accessories such as optics and grips. Its polygonal thickened barrel extends the effective range from 400 to 600 meters, while barrel life is increased from 6,000 to 10,000 rounds.
The rifle’s firing modes include semi-automatic, two-round burst, and fully automatic. The change from the three-round burst of the T91 to a two-round burst in the T112 reflects U.S. military findings that the third shot often lacked accuracy, resulting in unnecessary ammunition expenditure. This adjustment aims to balance rapid-fire efficiency and stability.