DLS gets more R4 work

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The South African National Defence Force is buying pin rubber bushes for the R4 assault rifle worth some R400 000. The funding takes to R72 978 307.05 money spent on the R4 and R5 assault rifles since 2007.

About 420 000 of the 5.56x45mm-calibre rifles were manufactured to replace the older Belgian 7.62x51mm FAL battle rifles used in SA since the 1960s and called the R1 R2 and R3, depending on version. The R4 assault rifle is used by the bulk of the SA Army, while the R5 carbine is used by the airborne and armoured troops of the SA Army, the SA Air Force, SA Navy, Military Health Service and the South African police Service.

A licensed version of the Israeli Galil, itself based on the Finish Valmet m/62, inspired by the AK47, the R4 and R5 are heavy, bulky but reliable. Development started after the Arab-Israeli war of 1967 and production was underway by 1972. The weapon entered South African service in the early 1980s. There appears to be no funded plan to replace it at this time.

DLS was was in February 2010 awarded a R1.74 million contract to create a “dedicated marksman (DM) rifle system” from the R4. Some 102 were delivered the next month and issued to marksmen assigned to FIFA World Cup soccer security. DM rifles became popular in the US and other militaries after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The DM’s role is to supply rapid accurate fire on enemy targets with a highly-accurate semi-automatic rifle equipped with a telescopic sight. Like snipers, DM’s are trained in quick and precise shooting, but unlike the more specialised “true” sniper, they are also intended to lay down accurate rapid fire.

The DM rifle also hinted at the current future of the R4. For Project Warrior DLS gunmiths suggested removing the rifle’s forward handgrip and replacing it with a new assembly that includes four Picatinny rails that can bear a range of shooting aids and other conveniences, including synthetic pads to create a rounded handgrip. A vertical handgrip can be fitted to the bottom rail and several, with integral bipods, are available. A new adjustable buttstock, similar to that fitted to the US M4 carbine, is also part of the mooted upgrade package. In addition to the marksman version, the family includes a section leader, rifleman and grenadier variants. Other accessories include a bayonet or electric prod for crowd control.

R4 assault firing pin rubber bushes

ESCW/2011/100 25 Aug 2011 R438 572,88 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Completion of maintenance and repair of 5,56 mm R4 Assault rifle

ESCW/2010/393 24 Feb 2011 R4 385 743,55 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

R4 training aid rifles (sectionalised)

ESCW/2010/409 24 Feb 2011 R1 159 200,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of 5,56 mm R4 assault rifle spares

ESCW/2010/337 17 Feb 2011 R711 117,32 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of sling, small arms R4/R5; 1620; 0 mm LG; buckles both ends

ESCW/2010/107 19 Aug 2010 R688 360,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of lanyard, individual equipment carrying, yals for securing rifle to belt

ESCW/2010/108 19 Aug 2010 R118 800,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of SS77 spares and R-5 spares

ESCW/2009/366 21 Jul 2010 R4 170 631,15 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Cannibalization of BER 5,56 mm R4 assault rifles for spares

ESCW/2009/416 22 Apr 2010 R556 600,00 Weapring CC Raslouw

Maintenance and repair of 5,56 mm assault rifles – extension of ESCW/2009/317

SCW/S2009/1495 10 Mar 2010 R13 480 015,74 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Sling small arms R-4 rifle

ESCW/2009/443 18 Feb 2010 R172 090,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Improvement of 5,56 mm assault rifle R4 system to a dedicated marksman rifle system

ESCW/2009/502 11 Feb 2010 R1 740 529,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Maintenance and repair of 5,56 mm R4 assault rifle system

ESCW/2009/317 10 Dec 2009 R29 992 257,11 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

R4 and R5 breach bolt modification and accessories

ETMG/2009/106 29 Oct 2009 R468 640,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of R4 assault rifle spares

ESCW/2009/206 1 Oct 2009 R70 160,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Procurement of R4 assault rifle rubber bushes

ESCW/2009/105 20 Aug 2009 R413 440,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Conversion of R4 rifles into R4 rifle training aids

ESCW/2009/81 20 Aug 2009 R1 159 200,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

R5/R4 Assault rifle Z88 pistol spares and equipment

ETMG/2007/545 19 Dec 2008 R591 604,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Convert 5,56 mm R4 assault single shot to multiple shot rifles – extension of ESCW/2008/118

SCW/S2008/1283 30 Oct 2008 R3 952 256,88 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems

Convert 5000, 5,56 mm R4 assault rifle single shot to multiple shot rifles

ESCW/2008/118 2 Oct 2008 R3 927 043,12 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems
5,56 mm R-4/5 Assault Rifle Spares

ESCW/2007/175 18 Oct 2007 R2 539 740,00 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems
5,56 mm R-5 assault rifle and SS77 mm machine gun spares

ESCW/2006/471 11 Jul 2007 R2 242 306,30 Denel (Pty) Ltd t/a Denel Land Systems