The image above shows members of Libya’s 11th ‘Lightning’ Battalion special forces armed with Arsenal AR-M9F assault rifles, in 5.56 x 45 calibre. The 11th Bn has ‘rapid response’ duties, as well as conducting close personal protection (CPP) details. From what I have seen so far, the first images of these rifles in their hands surfaced in May this year, however they may well have been delivered earlier. In earlier images, 11 Bn fighters appear to be armed with a typical mix of various AK and FAL pattern rifles. Interestingly, some modern Arsenal firearms were spotted in Libya towards the end of the conflict, which may have been an indicator of future deals.
Thanks to Jeremy Binnie for finding the images. All images from the 11th Bn Facebook page.
The Rogue Adventurer 
[…] Jenzen-Jones writes that the Libyan 11th ‘Lightning’ Battalion, a special operations light infantry battalio… Arsenal AR-M9F AK rifles chambered in 5.56x45mm […]
[…] Jenzen-Jones writes that the Libyan 11th ‘Lightning’ Battalion, a special operations light infantry battalio… Arsenal AR-M9F AK rifles chambered in 5.56x45mm […]
AK100 in 5.56/.223! Cringe! I would never trust my life or take one into combat in this caliber. Can you say a little sand or gunpowder residue and a stuck 556/223 cartridge wedged in the chamber. The Soviets/Russians designed the AK to fire reliability using the extreme Tapered Cased round of the 7.62×39 and 5.45x39mm. 5.56/223 was never engineered to fire from an AK! Bar none. It’s all a western marketing Ploy and that’s it. I know all you will talk about your Saigas, Arsenal’s, SAR-3’s, and Norinco’s that fire 223 reliable etc. ask yourself….do you take your 223 AK into sand, dirt, and live with it outside everyday without daily cleanings too?? Weekend Indoor Range time isn’t a true test of a 223 AK guys!