DSA 2026: Armscor showcases RD1, RIA 5.0E 9 mm pistols

Armscor's two 9 mm pistols, RIA 5.0E on the left and RD1 on the right, are displayed at DSA 2026. (Janes/Sohini Mandal)

Filipino manufacturer Armscor has showcased its RD1 and RIA 5.0E 9 mm pistols internationally for the first time at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to Janes at the event, held between 20 and 23 April, Armscor assistant vice president of corporate relations Jhoanna Ibay said the RD1 is a striker‑fired pistol, while the RIA 5.0E is hammer‑fired.

“The RIA 5.0E is under our RIA Defense brand, but it is made in the US,” Ibay said, adding that the RD1 is manufactured in the Philippines.

Ibay said development of both pistols began about two years ago and that DSA 2026 marks their first public launch outside the Philippines.

The RD1 is already in service domestically, Ibay said. “We already launched this in the Philippines. We already supplied this to the Department of Justice in the Philippines, the RD1, the striker‑fire.”

She added that Armscor is now seeking customers in Malaysia and elsewhere in the region as part of a broader diversification strategy. According to Ibay, if either weapon is procured, production would remain in the Philippines.

Ibay said the RD1 was designed with an emphasis on modularity and ergonomics. “It has a threaded barrel, so you can attach accessories,” Ibay said. “It also has a Picatinny rail, again for accessories.”

She added that the pistol uses an integrated trigger safety rather than an external manual safety. “It's striker‑fired, and the safety is in the trigger,” she said, adding that the grip was designed to improve handling for Asian users.