it was manufactured by Microtech Small Arms Research Inc. (a subsidiary of Microtech Knives) an AUG A1 clone significantly re-engineered in its working system and principle as it features a bolt hold-open device as seen on the M16 rifle; otherwise the MSAR STG-556 retains the original AUG features, such as feeding from proprietary translucent plastic magazines and having the quick-change barrel option. The STG-556 can be converted from either having a telescopic sight or a MIL-STD-1913 rail. It is available in either civilian (semi-automatic only) configuration, and military and law enforcement (selective fire) configuration. The AXR was revealed at the 2007 SHOT Show, the TPD USA AXR was manufactured by Tactical Products Design Inc. as an AUG A2 clone capable of semi-automatic only fire, aimed for both the civilian and law enforcement markets, and fed by STANAG magazines; the manufacturer sells clear plastic magazines which are STANAG 4179 compliant and will readily fit in any rifle with a compatible magazine catch. The rifle does not have the integral scope, allowing users to use any kind of scopes or laser sights on the Picatinny railing. The Type 68 is a Taiwanese copy of the AUG with notable differences including a smaller trigger guard and the use of iron sights instead of the original's telescopic sight (although optical sights can still be optionally mounted on the carrying handle). Developed as a potential alternative to the T65 assault rifle and (in the form of a heavy-barrel variant) replacement to the Type 57A squad automatic rifle (licence-built selective fire M14A1), it ultimately did not enter service after the ROC military decided to adopt light machineguns (Minimi and T75) as their future squad automatic weapons. Conflicts The Steyr AUG has been used in the following conflicts: Gulf War Somali Civil War (by Unified Task Force, 1993) 1999 and 2006 East Timorese crises Militias-Comando Vermelho Conflict Syrian Civil War War in Iraq Papua conflict 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Users Military : Special Intervention Detachment : Argentine Armed Forces. : A variant, the Austeyr F88, is the standard rifle of the Australian Defence Force. It is manufactured, under licence from Steyr-Mannlicher, by Thales Australia. The Austeyr entered service in January 1989, replacing both the M16A1 and the L1A1 Self Loading Rifle used by the Australian Army. The first regular unit to be issued with the Austeyr was 6 RAR, which received them in January 1989. :