Vektor R4 at the South African National Museum of Military History
Type
Assault rifle
Place of origin
South Africa
Service history
In service
1980–present[1][2]
Used by
See Users
Wars
South African Border War
Rwandan Civil War
Bophuthatswana crisis
Burundian Civil War
Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)[3]
Kivu conflict
Central African Republic conflict[4]
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado Banjska attack[5]
Production history
Designer
Yisrael Galili of Israel Military Industries[2][a]
Designed
Late 1970's early 1980's[2]
Manufacturer
Lyttelton Engineering Works, now Denel Land Systems
No. built
420,000[6]
Variants
R5, R6, LM4, LM5, LM6
Specifications
Mass
4.3 kg (9.48 lb)[7]
Length
877 mm (34.5 in) with stock extended[7]
Barrel length
460 mm (18 in)[7]
Cartridge
5.56×45mm NATO[7]
Action
Gas-operated (rotating bolt)[7]
Rate of fire
600-750 rounds/min[7]
Muzzle velocity
980 m/s (3,200 ft/s)[7]
Effective firing range
500 m (550 yd)[7]
Feed system
35-round detachable magazine[7]
Sights
Flip up aperture rear sight graduated for 300 and 500 meters[7]
The Vektor R4 is a South African 5.56×45mm assault rifle.[8] It entered service as the standard service rifle of the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1980.[1] In South African service, the R4 replaced the R1, a variant of the 7.62×51mm FN FAL.[7] It was produced by Lyttelton Engineering Works (LIW, "Lyttelton Ingenieurswerke"), now Denel Land Systems.[7]
The weapon is a licensed variant of the Israeli IMI Galil assault rifle[9][10] with several modifications; both the stock and magazine are now made of a high-strength polymer and the stock was lengthened, adapting the weapon for the average South African soldier.[9] Other detailed differences include the R4's lack of a carry handle and a number of improvements made to its internal operating mechanism.[8]
^ abDr. David Westwood (2005). Rifles: an illustrated history of their impact. ABC-CLIO. p. 392. ISBN 1-85109-401-6.
^ abcJonh Walter (2006). Rifles of the World. Krause Publications. pp. 139–141. ISBN 0-89689-241-7.
^Small Arms Survey 2003, p. 267.
^Final report of the Panel of Experts on the Central African Republic extended pursuant to Security Council resolution 2262 (2016)(PDF). 5 December 2016. pp. 32&48.
^@war_noir (25 September 2023). "More photos of the captured weapons in #Zvečan (#Mitrovica)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 26 September 2023 – via Twitter.
^Engelbrect, Leon (24 September 2010). "Denel Showcases a 21st Century R4 Assault Rifle at AAD". Defence Web. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
^ abcdefghijklGander, Terry (1997). Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1997-98. Surrey: Jane's Information Group. pp. 173–174. ISBN 0-7106-1548-5.
^ abTilstra, Russell (2011). Small Arms For Urban Combat. Jefferson: McFarland Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN 978-0786465231.
^ abWoźniak, Ryszard. Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej – tom 4 R-Z. Bellona. 2002. pp9–10.
^John Walter (2006). Rifles of the World. Krause Publications. p. 141. ISBN 0-89689-241-7.
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