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Vektor SS-77
Photo: Qrmoo3 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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VektorSS-77

General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · South Africa · 1977
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VektorSS-77

Vektor SS-77
Vektor SS-77 Photo: Qrmoo3 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
90
Accuracy
78
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
70
Controllability
80
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
88
Origin South Africa
ManufacturerDenel Land Systems
CategoryGeneral Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
EraCold War
In service1977
Operators12 countries
Data Quality87%
79
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) MASS Rating
5/18
Cold War
17/131
All-Time
General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) · 10 axes scored
Sustained Firepower
85
Effective Range
75
Penetration
70
Reliability
90
Accuracy
78
Barrel Endurance
85
Mount Versatility
70
Controllability
80
Portability
65
Cost-Effectiveness
88
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category.
01 / Overview
Vektor SS-77
Prime contractor
Production
1977–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE MACHINE GUNS (GPMG) · COLD WAR
5
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
87
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
79
general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose machine guns (gpmg) category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1977
  • Service Entry Year1986
  • DesignerCol. Richard Joseph "Boer" Smith and Lazlo Soregi
  • Weight (Empty)9.6 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersSouth African Border Guards, MONUSCO, Policía Nacional de Colombia, Infantería de Marina de Colombia, Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, Indonesian National Armed Forces, Kenyan Air Force, Kuwait, Royal Malaysian Navy-PASKAL, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Peruvian Army, Philippine National Police-Special Action Force
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation5MOD.5
◇Barrel & Sights1MOD.1
  • Barrel Length550 mm
⬢Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1986
  • Variants3
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1966First deployment: South African Border War
  2. 1977Production started
49
years in service
11
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 215units
215active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a flexible or rigid container (magazine) inserted into the grip or attached externally, feeding rounds into the chamber via a spring or follower.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) entry →