R30.5m to maintain, upgrade R4

The South African National Defence Force is to spend about R30 million to maintain, repair and modify its R4 assault rifle and R5 carbine holdings.

State arms acquisition agency Armscor has placed three orders worth R30 531 057.11 on Denel Land Systems Lyttelton between October and December to update the ageing service rifle.

The R4 is used by the SA Army, while the R5 carbine is used by the SA Air Force, SA Navy and Military Health Service. It is not clear how many of each the SANDF holds nor how many weapons are being upgraded.

A licensed version of the Israeli Galil, itself based on the Finish Valmet m/62, inspired by the AK47, the R4 and R5 rifles 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.

Y2 MGL & riding shotgun

The SA Army is also spending about R3.4 million to upgrade its stock of Milkor Y2 multiple grenade launchers (MGL). It has been using an early variant of the Milkor the six-shot grenade revolver since the mid-1980s.

In addition, Armscor has contracted Republic Arms of Jeppestown, Johannesburg, to maintain an undisclosed number of 12 Gauge Beretta RS202P shotguns. It is not clear whether the weapons are from defence, police or prison service stocks.