Developed for the Italian Armed Forces as part of the Soldato Futuro (English: "Future Soldier") program, the ARX160 was launched in 2008 as a commercial weapon system independent from the Soldato Futuro ensemble, complete with a companion single-shot 40×46mm NATO low-velocity grenade launcher, called the GLX160, which can be mounted underneath the rifle or used with an ad hoc stock system as a stand-alone weapon.

The Beretta ARX160 was launched in 2008 as a commercial weapon system and was developed for the Italian Armed Forces as part of the layered Soldato Futuro (Future Soldier) program.

The current program aims to replace the older Beretta AR70/90 as the standard assault rifle for the Italian Armed Forces.

Also, the Italian Armed Forces has announced a possible requirement for 1,170 rifles chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

It has passed the following military and environmental tests; cold and hot temperature, temperature and humidity, ice, salt fog, heavy rain, salt water, sand and dust, mud, unlubricated, double feeding proof, and barrel obstruction proof.

[8] In December 2016, state-owned Argentine arms manufacturer Fabricaciones Militares signed a deal with Beretta to produce the ARX200 under license.

It is composed of an upper and lower receiver, both manufactured mostly from polymer, and operates through a short-stroke piston system.

The rifle also possesses the ability to change which side spent casings are ejected, as well as a quick-change barrel which can be removed and replaced in seconds without any tools.

The lightweight barrel is chrome lined and manufactured by the hammer forging process at the Beretta factory in Gardone Val Trompia, Lombardy.

The cocking lever is on the bolt carrier and can be positioned on either side by pulling it out, swinging it through the ejection port, and pushing it in to secure it in place.

Telescopic sights, night vision systems, vertical forward grips, and other accessories will be available through the Soldato Futuro program.

It features a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver, and on the 3-,6-,9-o'clock position of the handguard for mounting various optics, grips and other accessories.

It has a quick change barrel feature, a barrel length of 12- and 16-inch, a folding back-up iron sights, ambidextrous fire/safety selector, magazine release, bolt release and charging handle, case ejector that can eject the empty brass either to the right side or left side by pressing on the case ejection selector with a tip of a 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, and a telescopic folding buttstock that is also adjustable for length of pull.

[17] It uses a proprietary bayonet lug that extends over the barrel from the gas block and is compatible with Extrema Ratio Fulcrum E.I.

The Beretta ARX160 SF (Special Forces), also known as the ARX160 A2 is similar to the original design but features a shorter buttstock, an extended Picatinny rail on the bottom of its handguard and uses a 12-inch barrel.

It features a Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver for mounting various optics, on both sides of the hand guard for mounting various accessories and on the bottom of the handguard for mounting various grips, a quick change barrel, a barrel length of 16 inch, a folding back-up iron sights, ambidextrous fire/safety selector, magazine release, bolt release and charging handle, a case ejector that can eject the empty brass either to the right side or left side by pressing on the case ejection selector with a tip of a 5.56×45mm NATO (.223 Remington) cartridge, and a telescopic folding buttstock that is also adjustable for length of pull.

It operates through a short-stroke gas piston system with a rotating bolt, capable of fully automatic and semi-automatic fire.

The battle rifle configuration is to be equipped with an interface for the Beretta GLX160 grenade launcher chambered in 40×46mm NATO, a foldable telescopic stock with adjustable cheek rest, shock absorber back plate and four fixed sling attachments.

[4] On the other hand, the designated marksman rifle configuration is to be equipped with a fixed buttstock and a computerised Intelligent Combat Sight (ICS), developed by Steiner Optics (a subsidiary of Beretta Defense Technologies), which integrates a laser rangefinder, an inclinometer and a ballistic calculator into a compact 6×40 optic.

It features a fully ambidextrous controls that include the bolt catch lever, magazine release button and fire selector.

However, the charging handle remains reversible and can be switched from the right- to left-side of the upper receiver and the barrel locking bolt is located in front of the magazine well.

[4] It is equipped with a quick-change, free-floating, cold hammer-forged barrel which can be removed and replaced in a minute using one wrench.