In Israel, the Arad is used operationally by Yamam, the national counter‑terror unit; Yahalom, the elite combat‑engineering formation; Lotar, the IDF’s hostage‑rescue school; and select teams within Shayetet 13, Israel’s naval commando force.

By Hezy Laing

Israel’s new IWI Arad rifle was developed by Israel Weapon Industries in 2019 as a next‑generation, short‑stroke gas‑piston weapon designed specifically for elite units of the Israel Defense Forces, including formations such as Yamam, Yahalom, Lotar, Sayeret Matkal, and reconnaissance elements of Golani and Paratroopers.

The IWI Arad is ideal for special operations because its short‑stroke gas‑piston system offers high reliability in dust, heat, and suppressed fire, while its fully ambidextrous AR‑pattern controls enable fast handling in close‑quarters missions. It also has quick‑change barrels and can use 5.56 or .300 Blackout ammunition, 5.56 is the standard light army round, while .300 Blackout is heavier and works better for quiet, close‑range missions. It also features a compact 10.5–11.5 inch configurations, making it exceptionally adaptable for elite IDF units.

The Arad was created to replace aging M4 carbines in special‑operations roles, offering improved reliability in desert dust, suppressed fire, and high‑round‑count environments while retaining familiar AR‑15 ergonomics.

IWI has produced an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 Arad rifles since its introduction, with approximately 12,000 rifles delivered directly to IDF special‑operations and counter‑terror units.

The rifle is manufactured in multiple barrel lengths, including 10.5‑inch, 11.5‑inch, and 14.5‑inch cold‑hammer‑forged barrels, and supports both 5.56×45mm NATO and .300 AAC Blackout, allowing units to switch calibers in minutes using the Arad’s quick‑change barrel system.

The Arad features fully ambidextrous controls, a monolithic upper receiver, M‑LOK handguard, and a two‑position adjustable gas regulator optimized for suppressed and unsuppressed fire, placing it in direct competition with rifles such as the HK416, SIG MCX, and FN SCAR‑L.

Beyond Israel, the Arad has been exported widely and is now in service with military and police units in Estonia, Lithuania, Colombia, Mexico, Romania, Poland, and the Czech Republic, making it one of IWI’s fastest‑adopted international rifles.

Estonian special police units were among the first European customers, while Colombian and Mexican federal forces adopted the Arad for urban counter‑narcotics operations requiring compact, suppressor‑ready rifles.

In Israel, the Arad is used operationally by Yamam, the national counter‑terror unit; Yahalom, the elite combat‑engineering formation; Lotar, the IDF’s hostage‑rescue school; and select teams within Shayetet 13, Israel’s naval commando force.

The rifle’s combination of modularity, reliability, and special‑operations optimization has positioned it as one of the most advanced AR‑pattern rifles produced in Israel, complementing rather than replacing the bullpup X95 Micro‑Tavor and the heavier IWI Carmel infantry rifle.