The SAR-80 is of British origin (but made in Singapore) as a gas-operated select-fire rifle developed during the late 1970's as a rugged and reliable conventional weapon which could be mass produced and supplied to poor armed forces at a low cost. The SAR-80 is chambered for the 5.56 mm cartridge which it takes from a 20-, 30- or 40-round box magazine and fires with a muzzle velocity of 990 metres per second to an effective range of between 500 and 600 metres. The SAR-80 is selectable between semi-automatic and automatic with a cyclic rate of 650 rounds per minute. The SAR-80 has a post foresight and an aperture rear sight and is made in fixed, telescopic and folding buttstock models.