AR-70 / AR-90

In 1963, SIG and Beretta initiated a joint development project for a new firearm. By 1968, Beretta discontinued the partnership to pursue its own design, drawing from the shared experience with SIG, which led to the introduction of the Beretta AR70 in 1972. Following successful testing, the AR-70 was adopted by various Italian military and police units, including COMSUBIN, the San Marco Battalion, NOCS, and the VAM of the Italian Airforce. The rifle was also exported to foreign armies.

Initially designated AR-70, it was later redesignated as AR-70/223 to distinguish it from subsequent models. The AR70/90's development began in the 1980s in response to the Italian government's requirement for a new standard service weapon. This upgrade ensured compatibility with NATO standard 5.56 mm STANAG magazines, accommodation for the newer SS109 cartridge (the AR70/223 used the older M193 round), and a fix for a design defect in the AR70/223's pressed steel receiver, which could distort and jam the bolt. The upgrades resulted in the AR70/90 design, with working samples ready by 1985. It competed in Italian evaluation trials between 1988 and 1989 against other designs and was ultimately adopted by the Italian Army as its standard assault rifle, supplanting older AR70/223 models. In 2008, the Italian Armed Forces initiated the Soldato Futuro program, which led to the development and adoption of the Beretta ARX-160 as the AR70/90's successor.

The Beretta AR70/90 is a gas-operated assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45 mm NATO cartridge, with provisions for fitting a rifle grenade and featuring integrated grenade sights. Manufactured according to 1980s standards, it utilizes limited polymer parts and incorporates stainless steel components. In its standard configuration, the rifle weighs approximately 4 kg (8.82 lb) and offers multiple firing modes, including full automatic, three-round burst, semi-automatic, and a safe setting. The weapon is equipped with a carrying handle, a long barrel, and a hollow stock and is typically fitted with optical sights such as an ACOG or a red dot optic.

Compared to its predecessor, the AR70/223, the AR70/90 was designed for compatibility with standard 5.56 mm STANAG loaders and to properly function with the NATO standard SS109 cartridge, addressing the older model's use of the M193 round and proprietary magazines. The AR70/90 also incorporated a revised receiver design to resolve distortion issues present in the AR70/223.

The AR-70/223 was produced in three primary variants:

• the standard automatic rifle (AR-70/223)

• the SC-70 carbine with a fixed muzzle length and a foldable stock

• the SCS-70/223 rifle featuring a detachable shortened muzzle and a foldable stock

A light support weapon variant of the 70/223 with a removable box magazine and a quick-change barrel was also developed but saw limited success. Following its adoption, the AR70/90 platform was fielded in several versions starting in 1990: the standard AR70/90 Automatic Rifle with a fixed stock, the SC70/90 Special Carbine with a folding stock, and the SCP70/90 Special Carbine Paratroopers model, which includes a foldable recoil pad and a shorter barrel suitable for parachute operations. A light support weapon variant, the AS70/90, was also developed, capable of being fed via ammo belt or STANAG magazine, though it was not adopted by the Italian Armed Forces. Both the 70/223 and 70/90 automatic rifles have also been made available in semi-automatic only versions for law enforcement and the civilian market. Civilian variants, known as AR-70/90s, were largely identical to military models but lacked features such as a flash hider, bayonet mount, and carrying handle. More recent civilian versions modified from Carabinieri reserves by Nuova Jager retain the .223 Remington caliber and STANAG compatibility but operate in semi-automatic only and have a reduced barrel length.

The AR-70 was adopted by various units of the Italian military and police starting in 1972. The AR70/90 became the standard issue service rifle for the Italian Armed Forces after winning competitive trials in the late 1980s, replacing older models within units that had adopted them. The AR70/90 and its variants have served with the Italian Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, and Polizia di Stato. Beginning in the late 2000s, the AR70/90 platform began to be supplemented and is being decommissioned in favor of its successor, the Beretta ARX-160, as part of the Soldato Futuro program. The ARX-160, developed from efforts to upgrade the AR70/90, has since been deployed by Italian forces in operations, including missions in Afghanistan.

The Beretta AR70/90 is the standard issue service rifle of the Italian Armed Forces, with the Army operating approximately 105,000 AR70/90 and SC70/90 rifles, along with 15,000 SCP70s. It is also in service with the Italian Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, Guardia di Finanza, and Polizia di Stato. Users outside of Italy include Albania (which received 5,000 units gifted by Italy), the Burkina Faso Police, police forces in Egypt, and the Honduran Police (which received 1,000 units in 2006). The SC70/223 variant served as the standard carbine for Jordanian Special Forces from the 1980s. Other documented users include Lesotho, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Paraguay, and Zimbabwe.