Israel has successfully rolled out thousands of Arad assault rifles to rapid response teams across the country, significantly enhancing local defense capabilities. This initiative is seen as a crucial component of the Israeli Ground Forces Command’s broader strategy to improve domestic security, particularly in areas adjacent to its borders.
The distribution of these rifles is part of a lucrative procurement agreement valued at 100 million new shekels, approximately $31.8 million, finalized with Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). This deal was facilitated by the Israeli Ministry of Defense through its Defense Procurement Directorate’s Land Acquisition Unit. In addition to the rifles, the contract includes a ten-year sustainment package and Meprolight M5 optical sights that have been sourced from the existing stockpile of the Israel Defense Forces.
The government emphasizes that the Arad initiative is a direct response to lessons learned during the October 2023 attack by the Palestinian paramilitary group Hamas. During this incident, local security squads, which were often the first line of defense against infiltrators, were found to be inadequately armed. This new approach focuses on strengthening forward defense measures and equipping civilian support teams, enabling them to delay or disrupt enemy actions until regular military forces can engage.
As part of these efforts, Tel Aviv announced in December 2025 the distribution of additional firearms, including M4 and M16 assault rifles, to approximately 10,000 soldiers. The personnel targeted for this initiative belong to the Israeli army’s 96th Division, known as “Gilead,” a reserve unit established in 2024 with the specific aim of protecting local communities in scenarios similar to the 2023 Hamas operation.
The IWI Arad is designed using ArmaLite Rifle (AR) technology, making it suitable for infantry, special operations units, and law enforcement agencies. It weighs approximately 2.85 kilograms (6.2 pounds) without a magazine and features an 11.5-inch (29.2-centimeter) barrel. The rifle is equipped with full ambidextrous controls, a free-floating barrel, a Picatinny top rail for mounting accessories, and an M-LOK handguard.
This assault rifle supports the 5.56×45-millimeter NATO standard and 300 BLK .30-caliber cartridges, utilizing a short-stroke gas-piston system with an adjustable regulator. The Arad is capable of achieving a firing rate of up to 1,100 rounds per minute, with an effective range of up to 500 meters (1,640 feet).
In addition to the standard model, IWI has introduced variants such as the heavier Arad 7, which is compatible with 7.62×51-millimeter NATO or 6.5-millimeter Creedmoor cartridges, as well as the Arad 7 DMR, a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle featuring specialized components aimed at improving accuracy and prolonging the lifespan of the weapon.
