IWI ARAD

ARAD
Type	Carbine 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 7.62×51mm NATO 6.5 Creedmoor
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]

Design

The ARAD is an assault rifle visually similar to 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]

The barrel is cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined for improved accuracy and lifespan (approximately 20,000 rounds). The barrel is free-floated for enhanced accuracy. In the standard models, the accuracy is 1 MOA, and in the DMR model, the accuracy is better. ^[6]

Variants

Arad 5

The IWI Arad is a modular assault rifle designed and manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries.

• Caliber: 5.56×45mm NATO and .300 BLK.
• Weight: 2.85–3.07 kg empty, depending on barrel length.
• Barrel length: 11.5 inches, 14.5 inches
• Rifling twist: 1:7 twist rate
• Effective range: 300–500 meters.
• Accuracy: 1 MOA. ^[6]

Arad 7

The IWI Arad 7 is a heavier battle rifle variant of the Arad.

• Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO or 6.5mm Creedmoor.
• Weight: 4.15–4.55 kg empty, depending on barrel length.
• Barrel length: 14.5 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 20 inches.
• Rifling twist: 1:12 twist rate.
• Effective range: 300–1000 meters.

Arad 7 DMR

The IWI Arad 7 DMR is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle variant of the Arad 7.

• Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO or 6.5 Creedmoor.
• Weight: 4.27–4.46 kg empty, depending on barrel length.
• Barrel: The Arad features a quick-change barrel system. Available barrel lengths are 16 inches and 20 inches. The barrel is cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined for improved accuracy and lifespan (approximately 20,000 rounds). The barrel is free-floated for enhanced accuracy.
• Rifling twist: 1:10 twist rate.
• Effective range: 500–1,000 meters.
• Accuracy: < 1 MOA. ^[6]

Adoption

The Arad 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 after it was found best in tests held by the unit.

The Arad is also assembled in Peru under the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed with the Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) in March 2023 by the Army Weapons and Ammunition Factory (FAME SAC). ^[7]

Users

YAMAM operators holding silenced ARAD rifles, 2024

• Brazil
  • Paraná: São Paulo military police ^[2]
  • Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State ^[8]
  • Military Police of Espírito Santo State ^[9]
• Chile
  • Special forces units ^[2]
• Ecuador
  • Ecuadorian Army ^[10]
  • Special forces units ^[2]
• Israel
  • Yamam ^[2]
  • Israeli Border Police ^{[11] [ unreliable source? ]}
• Italy
  • 17th Raiders Wing ^[12]
• Philippines
  • Presidential Security Group
    • 358 units procured and registered for the performance of their duties.
    • Some units distributed to 10th Infantry Division aka Task Force Davao. ^[13]
• Peru
  • Peruvian Armed Forces

See also

• IWI Tavor
• IWI Carmel
• IWI Galil ACE
• IMI Galil

References

1. "WORLD EXCLUSIVE: IWI ARAD Hands-On Review". All Outdoor. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
2. Popenker, Maxim (2023-01-14). "The IWI ARAD assault rifle (Israel)". Modern Firearms. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
3. Moss, Matthew (2019-09-04). "BREAKING: IWI Introduce the ARAD Rifle". The Firearm Blog. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
4. Eger, Chris. "IWI Announces New ARAD Piston Rifle in 5.56,.300 BLK". Guns.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
5. "The ARAD". IWI. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
6. The ARAD. The best AR15 platform available Excerpt: "Representative from IWI assured me that the rifle is built using the highest quality materials possible and it maintains an accuracy of 1 MOA or better using quality ammunition." ו-"The barrel is tested in harsh conditions and maintains accuracy even after 20,000 bullets, compared to 6,000 typically in other platforms."
7. Boguslavsky, Eyal (2024-08-01). "Upcoming Delivery of IWI ARAD 7 Rifles to Peruvian Army: Third Batch Set to Exceed Expectations". Israel Defense. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
8. Carrilho, Maurício. "PMERJ anuncia que fuzil israelense IWI fará parte do arsenal da corporação" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2024-11-29. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
9. PRODEST; PMES. "Polícia Militar recebe 300 carabinas Arad". PMES (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-11-13.
10. "Ecuador's Army acquires 5,700 Israeli-made IWI Arad rifles". The Rio Times. 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
11. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64789
12. 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.
13. Buan, Lian (2023-12-09). "Duterte got licenses for over 300 guns 2 weeks before his term ended". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2024-11-21.