IWI ARAD
| ARAD | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2019-present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2019 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Weapon Industries |
| Produced | 2019-present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.86-3 kg (unloaded) |
| Length | 780 mm (292 mm barrel) 855 mm (368 mm barrel) 895 mm (406 mm barrel) |
| Barrel length | 292 mm (11.5 inches) 368 mm (14.5 inches) 406 mm (16 inches) |
| Cartridge | .300 Blackout 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Short-stroke gas piston |
| Rate of fire | 700-1100 rounds/minute |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable STANAG magazine |
The ARAD is an assault rifle designed in 2019 by Israel Weapon Industries, named after the Israeli city of Arad.[1] It is primarily designed for export purposes, and is not intended to replace the IWI Tavor X95 currently in service with the Israel Defense Forces.[1] However, the Arad was adopted by the YAMAM, Israel's National Counter-Terror Unit, after it was found best in tests held by the unit.
Design[edit]
The ARAD is an assault rifle based on the AR-15,[2] though it uses a short-stroke gas piston, rather than the direct impingement system seen in the AR-15.[3] It is chambered in either 5.56×45mm NATO or .300 AAC Blackout and is designed to be modular, allowing a change of caliber through a quick-change barrel.[4] All of its metal parts are corrosion-resistant,[5] and it is designed with over-the-beach capability.[1]
According to IWI, the Arad has an accuracy of 1 MOA or better, and it is maintained for over 20,000 rounds.[6]
Users[edit]
Brazil: São Paulo military police[2]
Chile: Special forces units[2]
Ecuador: Special forces units,[2] Ecuadorian Army[7]
Israel: Yamam (Israel's National Counter-Terrorism Unit)[2]
Italy: 17th Raiders Wing[8]
Philippines: Presidential Security Group - 358 units Procured and registered for the protection of the Duterte Family. Some units distributed to 10th Infantry Division aka Task Force Davao.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "WORLD EXCLUSIVE: IWI ARAD Hands-On Review". All Outdoor. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ a b c d e Popenker, Maxim (2023-01-14). "The IWI ARAD assault rifle (Israel)". Modern Firearms. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Moss, Matthew (2019-09-04). "BREAKING: IWI Introduce the ARAD Rifle". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Eger, Chris. "IWI Announces New ARAD Piston Rifle in 5.56,.300 BLK :". Guns.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ "The ARAD". IWI. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ https://iwi.net/the-best-ar15-platform-available-the-arad/
- ^ "Ecuador's Army acquires 5,700 Israeli-made IWI Arad rifles". The Rio Times. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ Boguslavsky, Eyal (2022-11-15). "A first in Italy: Israeli Arad assault rifles & Negev machine guns in army service". Israel Defense. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/duterte-license-firearms-weeks-before-term-end/#:~:text=A%20favored%20law&text=These%20sections%20would%20later%20turn,renewed%20after%20every%2010%20years.