More than three decades after the IDF stopped using the Uzi submachine gun, one of the iconic weapons has made an unexpected return, alongside thousands of other pieces of military equipment.
By Hezy Laing
More than three decades after the IDF stopped using the Uzi submachine gun, one of the iconic weapons has made an unexpected return to military hands.
The Uzi was among more than 10,000 items collected during the first day of a nationwide military equipment recovery campaign launched on November 1. In accordance with the campaign’s conditions, the person who returned the weapon was not required to identify himself, and his details were not recorded.
The recovery is a fascinating reminder that military equipment can remain outside the army’s control for decades. It is also part of a much larger effort to locate missing weapons, ammunition and other military property.
Thousands of items recovered in just two days
The Uzi was far from the only significant discovery. According to figures published by the IDF on November 3, approximately 28,500 rounds of ammunition, 250 grenades and 300 demolition and mortar-related items had been collected during the first two days.
The recovered equipment also included approximately 35 firearms, 300 weapon accessories, 200 protective items such as vests and helmets, 50 pieces of medical equipment, and around 2,000 clothing and textile items.
Among the more unusual discoveries were a MAG machine gun, a 120mm mortar and a demolition launcher. These finds demonstrate that the operation involves far more than forgotten firearms, encompassing a wide range of equipment that has remained outside authorized military storage.
The first day alone produced more than 6% of the total number of items collected during the previous campaign in 2017, according to the IDF.
Why the IDF wants its equipment back
The campaign followed requests from commanders across the military, including battalion commanders, air force squadron commanders and naval officers. After three years of war, keeping track of equipment distributed among regular soldiers and reservists has become an increasingly important logistical challenge.
Colonel Moshe Schwartz, head of the relevant department in the IDF’s Technology and Logistics Directorate, explained that the military wanted to make returning equipment as straightforward as possible.
To encourage participation, the IDF secured special legal authorization allowing eligible individuals to return equipment removed during their military service without identifying themselves or facing criminal prosecution for its unauthorized removal, possession or carrying, subject to the campaign’s conditions.
The arrangement was designed to remove a major obstacle to returning military property. Rather than risk legal consequences, individuals who still possess equipment from their service can use the designated collection process to hand it back.
What happens to the recovered weapons?
Collecting the equipment is only the first step. Once returned, weapons, ammunition and other military items must undergo inspections to establish their condition and determine whether they can safely be used again.
The process includes checks by explosive ordnance specialists, safety inspections and assessments of wear and tear. Some equipment may be suitable for returning to military service, while other items will need to be removed from circulation.
This is particularly important when dealing with ammunition and explosives, which can remain dangerous even after years of storage. Recovering such items helps prevent potentially hazardous military equipment from remaining in unauthorized hands.
The legacy of the Uzi
The recovered weapon has particular historical significance because the Uzi is one of Israel’s most recognizable military inventions.
Designed by Israeli weapons designer Uziel Gal in the late 1940s, the compact submachine gun became an important part of Israel’s early military identity. Its relatively simple construction, compact size and reliability helped establish its international reputation.
The Uzi went on to serve with military, police and security organizations around the world, becoming one of the best-known Israeli-designed firearms. Although the IDF phased it out of service more than three decades ago, its name remains closely associated with Israel’s early weapons industry.
The return of the Uzi may be one of the campaign’s most memorable discoveries, but the thousands of other items collected show why the operation matters. Even equipment that disappeared from military inventories decades ago can still carry significant safety and security implications.
