| R4 rifle | |
|---|---|
 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 | 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 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 modifications made to its internal operating mechanism.[8]
- ^ a b Dr. David Westwood (2005). Rifles: an illustrated history of their impact. ABC-CLIO. p. 392. ISBN 1-85109-401-6.
- ^ a b c Jonh 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Gander, Terry (1997). Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1997-98. Surrey: Jane's Information Group. pp. 173–174. ISBN 0-7106-1548-5.
- ^ a b Tilstra, Russell (2011). Small Arms For Urban Combat. Jefferson: McFarland Press. pp. 77–78. ISBN 978-0786465231.
- ^ a b Woźniak, 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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