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R20 "Rahe" - Estonia Modernizes its Infantry Rifles (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-08-14 12:00:02 +0000 UTCIn 2017, the Estonian military began the process of replacing its infantry rifles. At that time, the primary rifle in use was the Galil, which had been purchased from Israel shortly after Russian occupation ended and Estonia regained its independence in 1992. The Galils had made sense at the time, but now something more modern was desired. Specifically, a pairing of a 5.56mm infantry rifle and 7.62mm DMR rifle which shared the same basic platform. All of the major players in the firearms market responded to the initial Estonian RFP, and from eleven initial proposals the three finalists were H&K (with the 416), Sig (with the 716), and LMT (with their piston-driven MARS).
Combining the factors of reliability & accuracy, cost, warranty, and included accessories, the LMT was the winning bid. In 2019 a contract was signed for the purchase of about 20,000 5.56mm rifles and about 1,000 7.62mm DMR rifles. These were designed the R20 "Rahe" ("Hail"), and the standard configuration had a 14.3" barrel (a 12.5" barreled carbine was also included in small numbers). The standard setup is a red dot sight (initially Vortex; but later and more typically Holosun 515), LMT flip-up iron sights, and Blue Force Gear V-Tac sling. Option accessories that the Estonian MoD procured include LMT 40mm ubderbarrel M203 type grenade launchers, Holosun 3x magnifiers, Holosun IR light/laser units, and GSL 7.62mm multi-caliber suppressors. The rifles have monolithic upper receivers and detachable barrels (though barrel swapping is considered an armorer task and not a soldier's task).
The R20 deliveries were completed by the end of 2023, and this now represents the standard weapon for the Estonian Defense Forces. With it, they have a truly modern and capable infantry rifle capable of handling all modern missions and accessories.
Thanks to the Supply Battalion of the Estonian Defense Forces Support Command for giving me access to film the new R20 rifles as well as some of their older firearms!
Comments
Reed Gregory
love it glade to see our weapons around the world
Tore Martinussen
Thanks for the analysis at the end. That made the whole video worth watching; although maybe not a forgotten weapon it puts into a perspective how the Baltic states are probably transitioning towards NW Europe.
Retired No Bad Days
I was happy to see that a smaller company like LMT got the contract. Estonia is a very small country, so have they adopted the Swiss approach to storing their rifles at home?
Forgotten Weapons
If the CIA was paying me, you'd think they would make it a lot easier for me to get into their museum to film...
BEAUSABRE23
Bayonet lug? Didn't know there were Estonian Marines....
BEAUSABRE23
How much is the CIA paying you?
Glenn Miller
Round counter is an interesting concept. Will this be useful and adopted by other countries. Also interesting to see the use of commercial parts like magazine, optics, and sling.
Guido Schriewer
makes sense. seems to be a decent choice. thought a 14incher WOULD be a carbine. 20" is really out, huh. general issue I'd scream 18. too lazy to look it up. didn't NZ bought lmt moving away from the aug as standard?
