The R5 is a 5.56 mm assault rifle that was introduced into service with the South African Defence Force in the early 1980s, replacing the earlier 7.62 mm FN FAL rifle, that was manufactured in South Africa under a license agreement from Fabrique Nationale. The R5 is produced by Vektor (a small arms division of Denel corporation, currently Denel Land Systems). The weapon is a licensed variant of the Israeli Galil assault rifle with several modifications; notably, both the stock and magazine are now made of a high-strength polymer and the stock's arms were lengthened, adapting the weapon for the average South African soldier. The R5 is a selective fire, gas-operated weapon that fires from a closed bolt.