Vektor CR-21
The Vektor CR-21 is a South African bullpup assault rifle ("CR-21" being an abbreviation of Combat Rifle 21st Century) chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. It was designed by Denel Land Systems as a possible replacement for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)'s Vektor R4, though Denel Land Systems has since shifted focus to offering an upgraded R4 rifle to the SANDF instead.
Vektor CR-21
- Name
- Vektor CR-21
- Field
- assault rifle
- Period
- 1997
- Region
- South Africa
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q2060640 · wikipedia · Vektor CR-21
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Vektor CR-21 • Origin — South Africa • Type — Bullpup assault rifle • Is Ranged — Yes • Designer — Denel Land Systems • Design Date — 1997 • Manufacturer — Denel • Number — 200 • Variants — CR-21 carbine • Weight — 3.72 kg • Length — 760 mm • Part Length — 460 mm • Cartridge — 5.56×45mm NATO • Caliber — 5.56mm • Action — Gas-operated, rotating bolt • Rate — 700 round/min (full auto) • Velocity — 980 m/s • Range — 400m • Feed — 20 or 35-round detachable R4 magazines • Sights — Fiber optic illuminated reflex sight
History
History
The CR-21 was manufactured in the 1990s for potential contracts in the South African military, but it raised little interest with them along the South African police and international contracts. 200 CR-21s were made in total with parts that can be used for another 200 CR-21s.
Design
Design
First unveiled in 1997, the CR-21 has a sleek, futuristic design and uses the bullpup layout. This enables the rifle to be as short as a typical carbine, whilst still retaining the muzzle velocity of longer assault rifles. However, this makes the CR-21 only capable of being fired from the right hand as the ejection port is located on the back right side of the rifle. The port cannot be changed from side to side. Internally, the CR-21 uses a slightly modified version of the Kalashnikov action found in the R4 assault rifle, which is known for its reliability and relatively low weight. The rifle also makes significant use of high-impact polymer, with the only exposed metal part on the rifle being the front of the barrel with its integral flash suppressor. Both of these result in the rifle having a low loaded weight, of 3.72 kg (8.2 lbs). The CR-21 comes standard with a 1× magnification optical sight with an illuminated reticle that does not require batteries. This sight is mounted on a sight rail, allowing easy removal and attachment, as well as the use of a range of different sight options. The forward handgrip has been specially designed to be easily removed and replaced with an under-barrel grenade launcher such as the M203 grenade launcher. The R4-type magazines used come in 20 and 35-round capacities.
Variants
Variants
A CR-21 carbine was said to have been developed by Vektor.
Users
Users
• Illustration — A map with nations who use the Vektor CR-21 in blue •: Used by Parachute Commandos and Special Forces Brigade. •: Used by the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana and Comandos Rurales.
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 2 entries
1997
Vektor CR-21 first recorded.
1997
Vektor CR-21 is recorded from 1997.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- South Africa
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Vektor CR-21, revision 1336255058 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
Connections
Knowledge graph
Connections
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Broader subject
1- assault rifleTerminology
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Militaria
6,095 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
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