CETME

The Spanish armaments manufacturer Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME) developed this battle rifle based on designs by German engineer Ludwig Vorgrimler. The architecture originated from the experimental StG 45(M) and the French AME 49. Early development focused on achieving weight and range requirements using unconventional projectiles, leading to several proprietary cartridge iterations. Following interest from the West German Bundesgrenzschutz and subsequent requirements for international standardization, the design was modified for compatibility with NATO ammunition. This developmental process provided the technical basis for the West German Heckler & Koch G3.

The rifle utilizes a roller-delayed blowback mechanism with a fixed barrel. To address cartridge extraction, the design incorporates a fluted chamber where horizontal grooves allow propellant gases to float the spent casing. Construction primarily consists of stamped steel. Ergonomics and materials varied by model; the Model C utilized wooden furniture, while the Model E replaced these with plastic components and substituted aluminum for certain steel parts. While early prototypes employed a dual open and closed bolt firing system depending on the selected fire mode, standard production models transitioned to a closed-bolt system for both semi-automatic and automatic fire.

The Spanish Army adopted the weapon as its standard service rifle following trials in the late 1950s. It saw operational use in conflicts including the Ifni War, the Nigerian Civil War, and the Western Sahara War. Beyond Spain, the rifle was used by military and law enforcement agencies in countries such as Bolivia, Lebanon, and France. Primary variants include the Model B, the lightened Model C, and the Model R intended for armored vehicle crews. A downsized variant, the Model L, was later adopted for use with different ammunition standards. Civilian semi-automatic versions were also produced for export markets, manufactured by firms including Mars Equipment Corporation and Century Arms International.