[DEFEA 2025] Maktes Arms from Armenia Presents Modular Bullpup Rifle

At the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens, Greece, the Armenian company Maktes Arms is presenting its new service rifle called the T-AB 1A. The design appears to be quite intriguing, since it can be adapted to different calibers and magazines.

According to the product description:

Its removable barrel and magazine well allow to configure the rifle to fire 5.56x45 NATO, 5.45x39, 7.62x39, and other intermediate cartridges, feeding from standard AK or STANAG magazines. These features allow building a perfect tool for any mission or environment.

The prototype presented in the photos is using an AK-12 magazine, which makes sense since the Armenian military is using 5.45 ammo, inherited from the Soviet army. However, for export, a rifle chambered for 5.45x39 isn’t a viable option - the market just isn’t there anymore.

The ergonomics of the rifle look like they were well thought out - the safety selector is ambidextrous and the location of the safety is similar AR-15, so you don’t have to break the firing grip. The charging handle is ambidextrous as well.

There is a long Picatinny rail on top, and the handguard has M-Lok slots. Similar to the Croatian VHS bullpup rifle, T-AB 1A has an adjustable stock.

The rifle has three firing modes: semi-auto, full auto, and two-round burst. One point of potential concern is the firing mode selector on the stock, similar to the British SA-80 (L85). Even though it is ambidextrous, many would find this position of the selector suboptimal. However, if the designers get rid of the burst mode, the firing mode selector and safety selector can be combined just like on the AR-15.

The factory plans to develop a civilian version and eventually import this rifle to the US market.

Below you can find the full list of T-AB 1A bullpup rifle’s specs and features from the company’s website:

Features:

• Adjustable length of pull
• Ambidextrous controls
• Reversible ejection side
• Adjustable gas system
• Quick change barrel
• Multi-caliber
• Tool-less disassembly and reassembly

Specifications:

• Action: Gas operated with short stroke piston and rotating bolt lockup
• Gas system settings: Normal, Adverse, Suppressed
• Caliber: 5.56x45NATO, 5.45x39, 7.62x39
• Twist rate: 1:178mm (5.56x45), 1:195mm (5.45x39), 1:240mm (7.62x39)
• Barrel length: 415mm
• Muzzle velocity: 910m/s (5.56x45), 900m/s (5.45x39), 715m/s (7.62x39)
• Firing modes: Semi-auto, full-auto, (optional 2-round burst)
• Rate of fire: 650-700 rounds per minute
• Bore: Chrome lined
• Muzzle threads: 1/2x28 or 5/8x24
• Muzzle device: A2 flash hider
• Accuracy: 4MOA
• Magazines: STANAG (AR15/M16), AK74/AKM (straight-in)
• Magazine release: Front ambidextrous and rear backup
• Bolt release: For STANAG magazines only
• Charging handle: Ambidextrous, non-reciprocating
• Optics mount: Top Picatinny (1913) rail
• Sling mount: 3 QD sling swivel sockets on each side
• Handguard: Polymer or aluminum, free-floated with M-LOK slots and Picatinny rails
• Pistol grip: AR-15 compatible
• Trigger pull weight: 3kg
• Length of pull: 410-460mm
• Length: 702-752mm
• Width: 58mm
• Height: 204mm
• Weight: 3.75kg

Pictures by Maktes Arms, www.maktes.am