What Gun Does the Israeli Army Use?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is one of the most advanced and technologically equipped militaries in the world. When it comes to small arms, the IDF uses a wide range of firearms to equip its soldiers. In this article, we will take a closer look at the guns used by the Israeli army, from rifles to pistols.
Rifles
The IDF’s standard-issue rifle is the IMI Galil, a gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO. The Galil is a popular choice among Israeli soldiers due to its reliability, durability, and accuracy. The rifle is used by infantry units, special forces, and snipers.
- IMI Galil 5.56mm: The standard-issue version of the Galil, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.
- IMI Galil 7.62mm: A heavier, more powerful version of the Galil, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
- IMI Galil Sniper: A precision rifle version of the Galil, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO.
Submachine Guns
The IDF also uses submachine guns, which are designed for close-quarters combat and urban warfare. The IMI Uzi is a classic example of an Israeli submachine gun.
- IMI Uzi: A compact, blowback-operated submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
- IMI Mini-Uzi: A smaller, more compact version of the Uzi, designed for special forces and commando units.
- IMI Micro-Uzi: An even smaller, more compact version of the Uzi, designed for close-quarters combat and personal defense.
Pistols
The IDF also issues pistols to its soldiers, which are used for self-defense and close-quarters combat. The IMI Jericho is a popular choice among Israeli soldiers.
- IMI Jericho 941: A semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, designed for self-defense and close-quarters combat.
- IMI Jericho 941FS: A full-size version of the Jericho, chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
- IMI Jericho 941AF: A compact version of the Jericho, chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
Other Weapons
In addition to rifles, submachine guns, and pistols, the IDF also uses other weapons, such as machine guns, shotguns, and grenade launchers.
- IMI Negev: A belt-fed machine gun chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, designed for squad-level fire support.
- IMI MAG: A 40mm grenade launcher designed for use with the Galil rifle.
- IMI Tavor: A 12-gauge shotgun designed for close-quarters combat and breaching.
Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table of the weapons used by the Israeli army:
| Weapon | Caliber | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMI Galil | 5.56x45mm | Gas-operated | General-purpose rifle |
| IMI Galil 7.62mm | 7.62x51mm | Gas-operated | Heavy-duty rifle |
| IMI Galil Sniper | 7.62x51mm | Gas-operated | Precision rifle |
| IMI Uzi | 9x19mm | Blowback | Submachine gun |
| IMI Mini-Uzi | 9x19mm | Blowback | Compact submachine gun |
| IMI Micro-Uzi | 9x19mm | Blowback | Ultra-compact submachine gun |
| IMI Jericho 941 | 9x19mm | Semi-automatic | Pistol |
| IMI Jericho 941FS | 9x19mm | Semi-automatic | Full-size pistol |
| IMI Jericho 941AF | 9x19mm | Semi-automatic | Compact pistol |
| IMI Negev | 5.56x45mm | Belt-fed | Machine gun |
| IMI MAG | 40mm | Semi-automatic | Grenade launcher |
| IMI Tavor | 12-gauge | Pump-action | Shotgun |
Conclusion
The Israeli army uses a wide range of firearms, from rifles to pistols, to equip its soldiers. The IMI Galil is the standard-issue rifle, while the IMI Uzi and IMI Jericho are popular choices for submachine guns and pistols. The IDF also uses other weapons, such as machine guns, shotguns, and grenade launchers, to support its troops in various roles. Whether in combat or in peacekeeping operations, the IDF’s firearms are designed to be reliable, durable, and effective in a wide range of situations.
