Galatz

The Galatz, or Galil Sniper, is an Israeli semi-automatic sniper rifle chambered in 7.62×51 mm NATO, derived from the Galil ARM and introduced in 1983. It is a heavier, accurised configuration intended for use with high-quality ammunition. A modernised version, the SR-99, followed, and the design has been produced under licence in India, Vietnam and Ukraine.

The Galil family was designed in Israel in the late 1960s on the basis of the Finnish Valmet RK 62, itself a derivative of the AK-47, and entered Israeli service in the mid-1970s in ARM, AR and SAR versions chambered in 5.56×45 mm. The ARM and AR were phased out in favour of the M4 and M16 by 2000 and the SAR by about 2004.

The Galatz fires semi-automatically only, from a proprietary 25-round box magazine, through a heavy-profile match barrel. The muzzle carries a combined flash suppressor and brake that can be replaced by a sound suppressor for use with subsonic ammunition. The two-stage trigger is adjustable. The wooden buttstock folds to the right and is adjustable for length and height, with a variable cheek riser; a heavy-duty bipod is attached to the forward base of the receiver and folds under the handguard. Iron sights are fitted, together with a quick-detachable mount that retains its zero for the Nimrod 6×40 day scope or a night sight. The rifle is 1,115 mm long and weighs 6.4 kg, and is issued in a transport case with the scope, mount, filters, two slings and a cleaning kit. Later production uses synthetic furniture and a skeletonised metal stock.

The SR-99 is a modernised Galatz with an adjustable skeleton stock and synthetic handguard and pistol grip, more ergonomic though somewhat less rugged than the original. Licensed production has been undertaken by Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems in India and by the Z111 Factory in Vietnam, which showed its SBT-7.62VN clone with an M-LOK handguard and adjustable stock in 2024; in Ukraine the rifle is produced as the Fort-301. Users include Estonia, Georgia, India, which bought 200 rifles in 2002, Kenya, Montenegro's Special Police Unit, Papua New Guinea, Senegalese special forces, Ukraine and Vietnam.