Pindad SS2

Pindad SS2

Assault Rifle

Pindad SS2-V1 assault rifle
Type Assault rifle
Place of origin Indonesia
Service history
In service 2006 – present
Used by See Users
Wars Insurgency in Aceh
Production history
Manufacturer Pindad
Unit cost 500 USD[1]
Produced 2005 – present
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight
3.4 kg (empty)
4.2 kg (loaded)
Length 990 mm (With buttstock extended), 740 mm (With buttstock retracted)

Cartridge 5.56x45mm NATO
Action Gas-Operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire 650 – 675 rpm
Effective range 500m
Feed system Various STANAG magazines.
Sights Iron sights, but optical sights are possible with the Picatinny railprovision. Optical sight is a standard feature in SS2-V4 variant.

The SS2 has been first ordered by the Indonesian military back in 2002[4] and in 2003.[4] It had then been announced that the rifle was launched in 2005[5][6] 150 SS2-V4s were purchased in 2007.[7] A SS2 with a solid stock, known as the SS2-V3 would have been produced by Pindad, but was rejected.[8]

The Indonesian Army placed an order of 15,000 SS2s to replace their stock of SS1s back in 2005[5] with an additional order of 10,000 SS2s in 2006.[9][10] Its first combat use was with Indonesian troops armed with SS2s in Aceh.[11]

Bangladesh has expressed some interests in acquiring the SS2 after a delegation had visited the PT Pindad office and its facilities in Indonesia.[12] The SS2s were shown abroad in Malaysia during the Defences Services Asia Exhibition and Conference 2010.[13]

Both Brunei and Iraq have expressed recent interest in purchasing SS2s for their militaries.[14][15] Myanmar has expressed interest in purchasing SS2 rifles despite a statement fro Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa that it was not true.[16] Col. Jan Pieter Ate of the Indonesian Defense Ministry expressed his concerns that SS2 rifles can be used to threaten other countries and on civilians while University of Indonesia security analyst Andi Widjajanto said that selling the rifles to the country can help improve relations while allowing the black market to lose its presence there.[17]

Pindad plans to market the weapon to third world countries such as the Congo, Iran and Uganda.[18]
Design[edit]

The SS2's flash suppressor and forward assist is based on the Colt M16A2 with the front sight being based on the AK rifles.[19][20] The carrying handle and detachable rear sight is placed on top of Picatinny railings.[19] Most of the SS2 rifle variants can have its carry handle removed in order to gain access to its picatinny railings to install various optics.[20]

The rifle's front handguard is of a ribbed design, with heat ventilation holes.[20] This design improves barrel cooling in situations when sustained fire is performed.[20] The SS2's barrels were originally produced in Germany before Pindad switched to South Korean-made barrels due to arms embargo problems at the time.[19] The charging handle is on the right side of the SS2 with the fire/safety selector on the left side with provision for single and full auto fire alongside safe mode.[21]Upper and lower receivers are made from aluminum alloy and are connected via cross pins.[21]

Variants
SS2-V1[edit]

A new rifle based on the SS1, being replaced in the Indonesian military after tests had been conducted from 2003–2005. It has been adopted by Indonesian security forces in 2006.[22] It has a carrying handle that can be replaced with a scope for scope mounting on a Picatinny rail and a side-folding stock.[6] It is the only rifle variant that the Pindad SPG-1A underbarrel grenade launcher can be used.[20]
SS2-V2[edit]

A carbine version of the SS2-V1.[21]
SS2-V4[edit]

SS2-V4

Carrying handle replaced with a Picatinny rail for scope mounting as a designated marksman rifle. Said to be for the use of Indonesian special forces. The front sight has been removed and the barrel lengthened and accurized to improve accuracy.[23]
SS2-V5[edit]

SS2-V5

A compact version of the SS2-V1.[21] Unveiled at the Indo Defence & Aerospace exhibition in 2008.[21][24]
SS2-V5A1[edit]

A sub-variant of the SS2-V5, these are produced for BRIMOB forces.[25][26] These were publicly unveiled in 2012.[26]
SS2-V5C[edit]

A sub-variant of the SS2-V5, these are produced for Kopassus forces.[26] These were publicly unveiled in 2012.[26]
SS3[edit]
Main article: Pindad SS3

Users

Indonesia: Over 25,000 SS2s have been purchased by the Indonesian Army.[27] Also used by the Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group of the Indonesian Navy.[28] BRIMOB officers would acquire SS2-V5A1 assault rifles while Kopassus operators would be armed with SS2-V5Cs.[26][25]
Potential users[edit]
Azerbaijan: Indonesia offers Azerbaijan to joinly produce Pindad SS2 rifles.he company offered the joint production of assault rifle in Baku early in this year. The Azerbaijani side said that this offers can be considered. There are 3 - 5.56x45 caliber various modifications of the assault rifle SS-2. [29]
Brunei: Brunei has announced plans to buy SS2 assault rifles under a memorandum of understanding signed between Brunei and PT Pindad.[30][14]
Iraq: Iraq has some interest in obtaining SS2 rifles for its security forces with Iraqi and Indonesian officials having several meetings over possible plans on buying the rifles.[31][32]
Myanmar: Myanmar has expressed interest in acquiring SS2 rifles despite a previous statement from the Indonesian Foreign Minister that no such announcement was made public to Jakarta