« | The SPAR-17 designated marksman rifle is in many ways similar to the SPAR-16. The main difference is the chambering to 7.62 mm which also means a longer, thicker barrel and more weight. Thanks to the more powerful ammunition, the SPAR-17 is most suitable for ranges from 600 to 800 meters. The rifle offers a single and full auto mode and is, like the SPAR-16, compatible with a large number of accessories. Field Manual[1]
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The SPAR-17 (full name: Special Purpose Assault Rifle[2]) is a 7.62 mm designated marksman rifle used by both CTRG operatives and NATO recon units in ArmA 3. It was added with the release of the Apex DLC.
Overview[]
The SPAR-17 is a selective-fire, short-stroke, gas piston-operated battle rifle with a rotating bolt that is chambered for the 7.62×51 mm NATO round.
It loads from 20-round magazines, and can attain a fire rate of up to 600 rounds per minute[CfgWp 7][Formula 1] on full auto with a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s.[CfgWp 8] The SPAR-17 accepts accessories on its top[CfgWp 9], side[CfgWp 10] and underbarrel[CfgWp 11] rails, and can also mount attachments onto its muzzle.[CfgWp 12]
Accuracy-wise, the SPAR-17 is on par with both the Rahim and the Mk-I EMR. Its greater muzzle velocity also means that the SPAR-17 has slightly more range than the Rahim.
Compared to the Mk18 ABR, it has less recoil and handles marginally better while firing on full auto. But as with all 7.62 mm rifles, the main downsides to the SPAR-17 are its low magazine capacity and long barrel; both of which make it ill-suited for use in close quarters.
Ironsights[]

The SPAR-17's zeroing limits range from a minimum of 100 metres up to a maximum of 600 metres (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600).[CfgWp 13] By default, it is set to a zeroing of 200 metres.[CfgWp 14] Neither the front nor rear sights are illuminated.
If an optical sight with a zeroing limit greater than 600 metres is attached onto the top rail (e.g. LRPS), the SPAR-17 will allow for an absolute maximum zeroing of 1,600 metres.[CfgWp 15]
Camouflage[]
- Khaki: Pale tropical green paint finish. Primarily used by CTRG Group 15 sharpshooters.
- Sand: Desert sand/desert tan paint finish. Used by NATO recon troops armed with the SPAR-17.
- Black: Matte black paint finish.
Ammunition[]

Ammo parameter | 7.62 mm NATO (Ball) |
---|---|
Base damage value | 11.6[CfgAm 1] |
Aerodynamic friction | -0.001[CfgAm 2] |
Muzzle velocity (m/s) | 850 [CfgMa 2][note 1] (900) [CfgWp 8] |
Expected velocity (m/s) | 800 [CfgAm 3][note 2] |
Penetration depth (mm) | 20.4 [CfgAm 4][Formula 2] (21.6) [Formula 3] |
Deflection angle (degrees) | 15°[CfgAm 5] |
The SPAR-17 can only load one type of magazine.[CfgWp 16] It has a weight of 12[CfgMa 3] "mass" units:
7.62 mm 20Rnd Mag[]
Standard 20-round box magazine loaded 7.62 mm NATO ball ammunition.[CfgMa 4] It is fully interchangeable with the Mk14/Mk18 ABR/Mk-I EMR.
None of the rounds fired will emit visible tracers.
Magazine compatibility[]
Weapon name (Classname) |
7.62 mm 20Rnd Mag![]() |
---|---|
SPAR-17 7.62 mm (Black) (arifle_SPAR_03_blk_F) |
✔ |
SPAR-17 7.62 mm (Khaki) (arifle_SPAR_03_khk_F) |
✔ |
SPAR-17 7.62 mm (Sand) (arifle_SPAR_03_snd_F) |
✔ |
Trivia[]
- The SPAR-17 is based on the "HK417 A2" designed by German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH.
- Prior to the release of the Tac-Ops DLC, the SPAR-17 was exclusively used by CTRG units. NATO recon units were later shown officially wielding the SPAR-17 for the Stepping Stone and Steel Pegasus mini-campaigns/scenarios.[3][4]
- Specific Tanoan Gendarmerie officers protecting V.I.P. targets can also be seen carrying SPAR-17s in Old Man, though no other units use the weapon anywhere else in the mini-campaign/scenario.[5]
- Prior to Game Update 1.64, the SPAR-17 weighed the same as the Mk18 ABR and also had significantly greater recoil. Both were subsequently reduced after the patch's release.[6]
- Because the SPAR-17's model was not upgraded with the (then-new) magazine proxies system in Game Update 1.92[7], its magazine will still appear as a polymer curved magazine rather than the universal 20-round box magazine.
- It is the only 7.62 mm NATO-chambered marksman rifle that is unable to load the Mk14 Classic's reduced capacity 10-round magazines. This is because the SPAR-17 specifically wasn't configured to utilise the new magazine wells system that was introduced in Game Update 1.92.[7]
Gallery[]
Config/script references[]
CfgAmmoCfgMagazinesCfgWeapons
Formulae |
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2016, Apex, Arma 3, viewed 6 March 2025, <https://arma3.com/apex>.
- ↑ ARMA 3 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Showcase: NATO, "The Special Purpose Assault Rifle series, NATO's newest, high-tech primary weapon system. 7.62mm and 5.56mm caliber variants, combined with an optional grenade launcher, make the series a fan favorite among special operations groups."
- ↑ ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point
- ↑ ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Steel Pegasus, LZ Nowhere
- ↑ ARMA 3: Apex 2020 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Old Man
- ↑ Kovařič, V 2016, SPOTREP #00059, Arma 3, viewed 7 August 2023, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00059>.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 van 't Land, J.J. 2019, SPOTREP #00088, Arma 3, viewed 1 February 2024, <https://dev.arma3.com/post/spotrep-00088>.
External links[]
See also[]
Weapons of comparable role and configuration[]
- Mk14 (FIA counterpart, ArmA 3: Marksmen only)
- Mk18 ABR (AAF counterpart)
- Mk-I EMR (NATO counterpart, ArmA 3: Marksmen only)
- Rahim (CSAT counterpart)
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---|---|
Handguns | 4-five .45 • P07 9 mm* • Spectrum Device |
Submachine guns | Vermin .45 |
Carbines | MXC 6.5 mm* |
Assault rifles | MX series (MX*, MX 3GL*) • SDAR 5.56 mm • SPAR-16 series* (SPAR-16*, SPAR-16 GL*) |
Designated marksman rifles | Mk-I EMR 7.62 mm • MAR-10 .338* • MXM 6.5 mm • SPAR-17 7.62 mm* |
Sniper rifles | M320 LRR .408 |
Squad automatic weapons | MX SW 6.5 mm* • SPAR-16S 5.56 mm* |
Machineguns | SPMG .338 |
Launchers | MAAWS Mk4 Mod 1* • PCML* • Titan MPRL • Titan MPRL Compact |
Static | Mk6 Mortar • Mk30 • Mk32 • Remote Designator • Static Titan Launcher (AA, AT) |
(Parenthesis) denote variants. * denotes weapons also used or are exclusive to the CTRG sub-faction. Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Tanks DLC |