What Rifle Does the Israeli Army Use?
The Israeli army, also known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has a long history of using a variety of rifles to equip its soldiers. Over the years, the IDF has employed several different types of rifles, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the rifles used by the Israeli army, including the current standard-issue rifle, the Galil rifle.
Early Years: The FN FAL and the Galil
In the early years of the Israeli state, the IDF relied on imported rifles, including the FN FAL, a Belgian-made battle rifle. The FAL was a reliable and effective weapon, but it was not well-suited to the hot desert climate of the Middle East. In the 1960s, the IDF began to develop its own domestic rifle, the Galil.
The Galil was designed by Israeli engineers and was intended to be a more robust and reliable alternative to the FAL. The rifle was chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the same caliber as the FAL, and featured a distinctive gas piston system. The Galil was widely used by the IDF during the 1970s and 1980s and was praised for its reliability and accuracy.
The Galil Rifle: Specifications and Features
Here are some key specifications and features of the Galil rifle:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Barrel Length | 520mm (20.5 inches) |
| Overall Length | 960mm (37.8 inches) |
| Weight | 4.3 kg (9.5 lbs) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 740 m/s (2,428 ft/s) |
| Effective Range | 500-600 meters (547-656 yards) |
The Galil rifle is a select-fire weapon, meaning it can be fired in both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. It features a long-stroke gas piston system, which is more reliable than the shorter-stroke piston systems used in some other rifles.
Current Standard-Issue Rifle: The Galil Ace
In the early 2000s, the IDF began to phase out the older Galil rifle in favor of the Galil Ace, a newer and more modern design. The Galil Ace is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, a more common and widely used caliber than the 7.62x51mm NATO of the older Galil.
Here are some key specifications and features of the Galil Ace rifle:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Barrel Length | 415mm (16.3 inches) |
| Overall Length | 840mm (33.1 inches) |
| Weight | 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective Range | 500-600 meters (547-656 yards) |
The Galil Ace is a semi-automatic rifle, meaning it can only be fired in semi-automatic mode. It features a short-stroke gas piston system, which is more reliable and less prone to jamming than the long-stroke piston system used in the older Galil.
Other Rifles Used by the IDF
In addition to the Galil and Galil Ace, the IDF has also used other rifles, including the M16, a US-made rifle, and the Tavor, an Israeli-made rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. The M16 has been used by the IDF since the 1970s and is known for its reliability and accuracy.
Here are some key specifications and features of the M16 rifle:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Barrel Length | 470mm (18.5 inches) |
| Overall Length | 920mm (36.2 inches) |
| Weight | 3.2 kg (7.0 lbs) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective Range | 500-600 meters (547-656 yards) |
The Tavor, on the other hand, is a more modern rifle that was designed by Israeli engineers in the 1990s. It features a bullpup design, which allows the rifle to be more compact and maneuverable than traditional rifles.
Here are some key specifications and features of the Tavor rifle:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Barrel Length | 300mm (11.8 inches) |
| Overall Length | 600mm (23.6 inches) |
| Weight | 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) |
| Effective Range | 500-600 meters (547-656 yards) |
Conclusion
The Israeli army has used a variety of rifles over the years, each with its own unique characteristics and purposes. The Galil and Galil Ace rifles are the current standard-issue rifles used by the IDF, while the M16 and Tavor rifles have also been used in the past. The Galil and Galil Ace rifles are known for their reliability and accuracy, while the Tavor rifle is known for its compact and maneuverable design.
