Israel MoD & IDF complete nationwide rollout of thousands of Arad rifles to rapid response teams

Kiryat Gat, 8 January 2026 – The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have completed the distribution of thousands of ARAD rifles produced by IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), an SK Group company and global leader in small arms manufacturing, to rapid response teams across Israel, marking the completion of a procurement program that underscores Israel’s growing emphasis on standardized, domestically produced defense systems.

Developed for Special Forces and Law Enforcement professionals who operate in the most unforgiving conditions, the ARAD redefines what a 5.56mm rifle can do. Its advanced AR platform foundation is enhanced with short-stroke gas-piston operation, full ambidextrous controls, and a free-floating hammer-forged barrel that delivers pinpoint precision under pressure. It features an integrated Picatinny rail and M-LOK handguards offering endless customization options for optics and attachments.

“We are proud to support the IDF with reliable and effective weapon systems that protect our country and our people,” said SK Group’s Vice Chairman Ronen Hamudot. “The IDF’s expanded adoption of the ARAD reflects the system’s operational performance and reliability. Its continued use underscores our commitment to delivering proven, innovative solutions designed to meet the demands of the most challenging operational environments.”

The contract with IWI was executed through the Ministry of Defense’s Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) and the Land Acquisition Unit and forms part of a broader initiative led by IMOD and the IDF Ground Forces Command to enhance community-level security and operational readiness nationwide, incorporating lessons learned from the war.

Beyond the delivery of the rifles, the agreement includes a comprehensive 10-year maintenance and sustainment package to ensure long-term availability and lifecycle support. As part of the program, Meprolight M5 red-dot sights, sourced from existing IDF inventories, have been mounted on the weapons, further standardizing equipment across rapid response formations.

The initiative reflects Israel’s evolving procurement strategy, linking operational experience, industrial capacity and long-term support into a single model that may influence future defense programs both domestically and abroad.

IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), part of the SK Group, is the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Israeli Police, with combat-proven products used by military, law enforcement and special forces in over 60 countries across diverse operational environments. Renowned for developing the iconic UZI, IWI continues to set benchmarks in firearm innovation and reliability, developing advanced systems like the ARAD, the NEGEV light machine gun, and the TAVOR.

Photos courtesy IWI