[1] Originally patterned after the Armalite AR-18 that has a short-stroke gas system, the prototype unveiled in 1975 showed a rifle that is heavily influenced by the AR-15 family of rifles, albeit with modified iron sights, a reshaped stock, and redesigned handguards.

The T65 series served as the standard issue weapon for front-line usage of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Army and the Republic of China (Taiwan) Marine Corps until being replaced by the more technologically advanced T91 in the early 2000s.

[2] Reports on the original T65 rifle suggested that it performed poorly, but was later improved and became the T65K2.

The T65 design replaced the carrying handle of M16 pattern rifles with a rear sight block.

It takes standard STANAG magazines, and the piston has its own spring recovery.