Heckler and Koch MG43 (MG4 in Bundeswehr nomenclature)

While flipping through Volume 16 of the Journal of Armoured Assault and Heliborne Warfare, I was surprised to see images of German infantry wielding a new, unfamiliar, belt-fed automatic weapon alongside the more familiar G36 assault rifles and possible MG-36 with drum magazines. It was noted that the weapon is a MG4. I did a check on the Heckler and Koch commercial site and found more information. Wikipedia has also got an updated entry.

The German infantry were participating in the 'European Challenge', a joint combined exercise, supposedly one of the largest in recent years involving vehicles such as the Leopard 2A6s, Panzerhaubitze 2000s, Marder 1A3s, Wiesel I and IIs, TPz 1A4s, Dingos, Fenneks, Duro 3s and G-Wagens.

From the Heckler and Koch website:

"These are some of the only photographs emerging in reference to the new HK MG43 belt fed 5.56mm x 45 machine gun. Heckler & Koch unveiled the new machine gun at the Defense Systems and Equipment International Convention in London, September 11-14, 2001."

It would appear that the Bundeswehr has adopted the weapon as the MG4.

Some features from Wikipedia:

• Gas-operated weapon with rotating bolt head, firing from the open bolt position
• Upon cessation of fire, the bolt is open
• Cartridge feed via belt (Cartridges are loaded in 5.56 mm M27 disintegrating belt links)
• Ammunition: Cal. 5.56 mm x 45 NATO Standard
• Mechanical sight, Aperture or open notch sight. Sight graduations from 100 to 1000 m (in 10 graduations), folding front sight
• Picatinny rail MIL STD 1913 for support of optical sights

Regarding Singapore's Ultimax, it would appear that the Ultimax has completely been dismissed by most of the world's major armed forces. I suspect it is due primarily to a lack of provision for a belt-fed mechanism.

Image Source: HKPro webpage