IWI ARAD

{{Infobox weapon

| name = ARAD

| image = IWI Arad.png

| origin = Israel

| type = Carbine
Assault rifle

| is_ranged = yes

| service = 2019-present

| used_by = See Users

| design_date = 2019

| manufacturer = Israel Weapon Industries

| production_date = 2019-present

| weight = 2.86-3 kg (unloaded)

| length = 780 mm (292 mm barrel)
855 mm (368 mm barrel)
895 mm (406 mm barrel)

| part_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 = 700-1100 rounds/minute

| feed = 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.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-05 |title=WORLD EXCLUSIVE: IWI ARAD Hands-On Review |url=https://www.alloutdoor.com/2019/09/05/world-exclusive-iwi-arad-hands-review/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=All Outdoor |language=en-US}} 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. 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

The ARAD is an assault rifle visually similar to the AR-15,{{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |date=2023-01-14 |title=The IWI ARAD assault rifle (Israel) |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/israel-assault-rifles/iwi-arad-2/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}} though it uses a short-stroke gas piston, rather than the direct impingement system seen in the AR-15.{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=2019-09-04 |title=BREAKING: IWI Introduce the ARAD Rifle |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/09/04/breaking-iwi-introduce-the-arad/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The Firearm Blog |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Eger |first=Chris |title=IWI Announces New ARAD Piston Rifle in 5.56,.300 BLK |url=https://www.guns.com/news/2019/09/05/iwi-announces-new-arad-piston-rifle-in-5-56-300-blk |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Guns.com |language=en}} All of its metal parts are corrosion-resistant.{{Cite web |title=The ARAD |url=https://iwi.net/arad/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=IWI |language=en-US}}

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.

= 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.

Users

{{Flag|Brazil}}: São Paulo military police, Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State{{Cite web |last=Carrilho |first=Maurício |title=PMERJ anuncia que fuzil israelense IWI fará parte do arsenal da corporação |url=https://www.defesabrasilnoticias.com/2022/10/pmerj-anuncia-que-fuzil-israelense-iwi.html?m=1 |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=pt-BR}}Military Police of Espírito Santo State{{Cite web |last1=PRODEST |last2=PMES |title=Polícia Militar recebe 300 carabinas Arad |url=https://pm.es.gov.br/Not%C3%ADcia/policia-militar-recebe-300-fuzis-arad |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=PMES |language=pt-BR}}
{{Flag|Chile}}: Special forces units
{{Flag|Ecuador}}: Special forces units, Ecuadorian Army{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-11-12 |title=Ecuador's Army acquires 5,700 Israeli-made IWI Arad rifles |url=https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/defense-updates/ecuadors-army-acquires-5700-israeli-made-iwi-arad-rifles/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=The Rio Times |language=en-US}}
{{Flag|Israel}}: Yamam (Israel's National Counter-Terrorism Unit), Israeli Border Policehttps://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64789{{Unreliable source?|date=April 2025}}
{{Flag|Italy}}: 17th Raiders Wing{{Cite web |last=Boguslavsky |first=Eyal |date=2022-11-15 |title=A first in Italy: Israeli Arad assault rifles & Negev machine guns in army service |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/56342 |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Israel Defense |language=en}}
{{Flag|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.{{Cite web |last=Buan |first=Lian |date=2023-12-09 |title=Duterte got licenses for over 300 guns 2 weeks before his term ended |url=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 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}
{{Flag|Peru}}: Peruvian Armed Forces - These rifles are fully 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).{{Cite web |last=Boguslavsky |first=Eyal |date=2024-08-01 |title=Upcoming Delivery of IWI ARAD 7 Rifles to Peruvian Army: Third Batch Set to Exceed Expectations |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/62747 |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=Israel Defense |language=en}}