| This article is about a non-canonical topic in the Metal Gear series. |
The Vektor R4 is the standard issue rifle of the South African Defense Force since its adoption in 1980. Developed and manufactured by Lyttleton Engineering Works, it is based on the Israeli Galil pattern rifles. The R4 series was issued in three variants:
- R4 Rifle: 18 inch barrel, with bipod and rifle grenade-compatible muzzle device; used primarily by the South African Army.
- R5 Carbine: 13 inch barrel and shortened gas system; developed for the South African Navy, Air Force, and Police Service.
- R6 PDW: 11 inch barrel; issued as a personal defense weapon to crewmen of armored vehicles, tanks, helicopters, etc.
During the Galuade Incident in 2002, the Gindra Liberation Front, through funding acquired from drug and rare metal trafficking, supplied themselves with state-of-the-art weaponry, including the R5 assault rifle. During his mission in Galuade, Solid Snake procured and used this weapon.
Behind the scenes[]
- "R5
Assault rifle.
B to fire. Hold for rapid fire." - ―R5 description in Metal Gear: Ghost Babel
The R5 assault rifle, and by extension, the R4-series, appear in the non-canon Game Boy Color game Metal Gear: Ghost Babel.
The R4 rifle was designed in 1979 based on the IMI Galil rifle system created by Israel, itself based on the AK-47 Kalashnikov. It entered service in 1980 as a replacement for the R1, a variant of FN FAL chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. It was produced by Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW, "Lyttelton Ingenieurswerke"), now known as Denel Land Systems.
Some differences from the Galil include a high-strength polymer magazine and the stock, the ladder of which was lengthened, adapting to the needs of an average South African soldier. Other differences include the lack of a carry handle and a number of improvements to the internal operating mechanism.
Prototypes for the R7 squad automatic weapon and R8 super-compact carbine were developed by Denel Land Systems, but evidence these variants were ever fielded by the SADF remains inconclusive.