POTD: The R-20 Rahe (LMT Defense) in Estonia Defense Force

Photo Of The Day where we take a closer look at the R-20 Rahe, manufactured by LMT Defense. After a comprehensive two-year tender and testing process, the Estonian Defence Forces selected LMT Defense (and their MARS-H and MARS-L models) as the supplier for their service rifle.

For the Estonian contract, LMT Defense also developed a unique MARS-H rifle in a 7.62 caliber with a piston operating system. This new variant, part of the 7.62 family of rifles, features LMT's patented Monolith Rail Platform (MRP). The official Estonian designation for the MARS-H marksman rifle is the R-20 L.

The rifles for the Estonian Defence Forces include a single-position piston setting, a bayonet lug, and a European-style trigger, which allows the operator to place the rifle in the safe position when the hammer is un-cocked. Additionally, shot counters have been integrated into a new LMT ergonomic grip. The EDF also purchased 40mm grenade launchers, which can be seen in a few of the images.

Here is the machine-translated caption from the Estonian Defence Forces - Sõdurileht:

“The Viru infantry battalion exercise 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐮 𝐊𝐯𝐯𝐝𝐝 𝟏 will take place at the central training ground of the Defense Forces, in which approximately 𝟒𝟐𝟎 soldiers from the Viru and Kalevi infantry battalions and the Pioneer battalion will take part. With the aim of training the drills of the divisions and groups of the battalion's subunits in defensive and offensive activities during combat firing.

"During combat shootings, conditions as close as possible to a combat situation are created, where various tactical tasks are carried out with combat ammunition. Learn how to act safely in combat situations, become more effective and independent ," said Captain Kristjan Muuli, the company commander of the 1st infantry company of the Viru infantry battalion.

The main task of the Viru infantry battalion of the 1st infantry brigade of the division is to train the infantry rank and file of the military formations of the Defense Forces.”