SR-88A: Singapore’s Final Evolution of the AR-18

Chartered Industries of Singapore was founded in 1967, and started making M16 rifles under license in 1970. These were sold to the Singaporean military as well as Thailand. To get out of their licensing agreement with Colt, the company purchased the rights to Frank Waters’ the SAR-80 rifle, and then iterated that design to the SR-88 internally. The SR-88 was manufactured from 1988 until 1995, and the improved SR-88A was introduced in 1990 and manufactured until 2000. It was used by Singapore once again, and also sold in some quantity to Slovenia.

The SR-88A uses a forged aluminum lower receiver and a stamped upper. It has an AR-18 style rotating bolt with a long stroke gas piston.

Thanks to Sellier & Bellot for giving me access to this pair of very scarce SR-88A rifle and carbine to film for you!