The NATO Accessory Rail (or NAR), defined by the new modernization agreement STANAG 4694, is a new standard for mounting auxiliary equipment such as telescopic sights, tactical lights, laser aiming modules, night vision devices, reflex sights, foregrips, bipods, and bayonets to small arms such as rifles and pistols.[1]
STANAG 4694, was approved by the NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG), Land Capability Group 1 Dismounted Soldier (LCG1-DS) on 8 May 2009. It will be forwarded to the NATO Standardisation Agency and then onto individual NATO nations, which will test the NATO Accessory Rail system for final ratification.[2]
The NATO Accessory Rail is backwards-compatible with the STANAG 2324 or MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail, which dates back to 3 February 1995.
