Infantry Weapons

Heckler & Koch G3

The Heckler & Koch G3 is a roller-delayed 7.62 x 51 mm NATO battle rifle developed in West Germany from the CETME rifle family. In the Yemen Civil War, reporting and arms-monitoring material connect Saudi-produced or Saudi-supplied G3 rifles to anti-Houthi forces, with some examples later captured or diverted in Yemen's fragmented arms environment.

Yemen Civil WarYemeni government and coalition forces

Conflict side: Yemeni government and coalition forces
Built by: Heckler & Koch; licensed production by several state arsenals and defense manufacturers
Built in: Germany; licensed production in multiple countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, and Myanmar

Heckler & Koch G3, 7.62 mm select-fire battle rifle, Infantry Weapons

Profile

Type: 7.62 mm select-fire battle rifle
Conflict side: Yemeni government and coalition forces
Origin: West Germany
Service note: Cold War design with continued use in modern conflicts

NATO portable small arms

Service History

In service: 1959-present
Used by: Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, Houthi-aligned forces, Yemeni armed groups
Wars: Yemen Civil War

Production History

Designer: CETME, Mauser, and Heckler & Koch
Designed: 1950s
Built by: Heckler & Koch; licensed production by several state arsenals and defense manufacturers
Built in: Germany; licensed production in multiple countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, and Myanmar
Produced: 1958-present for original and licensed production
Variants: G3A3 fixed-stock rifle, G3A4 retractable-stock rifle, Saudi-manufactured G3 rifles

Specifications

Caliber: 7.62 x 51 mm NATO / .308 Winchester
Operation: Roller-delayed blowback, select fire
Feed system: Detachable box magazine, commonly 20 rounds
Barrel length: 450 mm
Overall length: About 1,025 mm for the G3A3
Weight: About 4.38 kg for the G3A3
Muzzle velocity: About 800 m/s

Conflict Usage

Yemen Civil War: Side: Yemeni government and coalition forcesRole: Front-line infantry battle rifle and diverted small armstrike
G3 rifles, including Saudi-produced examples, were reported as supplied or diverted to anti-Houthi forces in Yemen and also captured by Houthi-aligned forces during the war.

Heckler & Koch G3 Images

Heckler & Koch G3, 7.62 mm select-fire battle rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 1

Heckler & Koch G3, 7.62 mm select-fire battle rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 2

Heckler & Koch G3, 7.62 mm select-fire battle rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 3

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Sources

HK G3 SALW GuidePublisher: Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies | Note: Supports G3 background, ammunition, operating mechanism, dimensions, and technical specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 The H&K G3 RiflePublisher: Armament Research Services | Note: Supports development history, widespread licensed production, variants, and service background for the G3 family. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 The End User: How did western weapons end up in the hands of ISIS and AQAP in Yemen?Publisher: Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: G3 rifles used by or supplied to anti-Houthi forces in Yemen, with captured examples reported in Houthi hands. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 German government seeks clarification from Saudi Arabia on supply of German weapons to YemenPublisher: Middle East Monitor | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: G3 rifles supplied to or landed for anti-Houthi militias around Aden in 2015. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Dealing in Double Standards: How arms sales to Saudi Arabia are causing human suffering in YemenPublisher: Arms Trade Treaty Monitor | Note: Supports Yemen Civil War direct-use context: G3 rifles transferred to Saudi Arabia were reported as diverted to Yemen and air-dropped to conflict parties. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Commons G3A3 Rifle ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the primary G3A3 rifle image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Commons G3A3 Disassembled ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing for the disassembled G3A3 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20 Commons Portuguese G3 Rifle ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing for the Portuguese Army G3 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-20