What Guns Do the Israeli Army Use?
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is one of the most technologically advanced and effective militaries in the world. Its arsenal includes a wide range of weapons, from small arms to heavy artillery. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the guns used by the Israeli army.
Small Arms
The IDF’s standard-issue rifle is the IMI Galil, a 5.56mm assault rifle developed in the 1960s. The Galil is a reliable and accurate weapon, widely used by Israeli ground troops. The IDF has also adopted the American M4A1 Carbine, a 5.56mm carbine used by special forces and other units.
Other small arms used by the Israeli army include:
- IMI Tavor, a 5.56mm bullpup rifle used by infantry units
- Uzi, a 9mm submachine gun used by special forces and for close quarters combat
- Micro Uzi, a.22 caliber semi-automatic pistol used by junior officers and non-commissioned officers
Heavy Weapons
The IDF uses a variety of heavy weapons, including:
- M240B, a 7.62mm medium machine gun used by infantry units
- M249 SAW, a 5.56mm light machine gun used by special forces and for mounted units
- AT4, a portable anti-tank rocket launcher used by infantry units
- SPIKE, a portable anti-tank missile used by infantry units
Sniper Rifles
The IDF uses several sniper rifles, including:
- Galatz, a 7.62mm sniper rifle used by snipers in the IDF
- M24 Sniper Weapon System, a 7.62mm bolt-action sniper rifle used by snipers in the IDF
- Barrett M82, a.50 caliber semi-automatic sniper rifle used by snipers in the IDF
Artillery
The IDF has a range of artillery systems, including:
- M109A5, a 155mm self-propelled howitzer used by artillery units
- M110A2, a 203mm self-propelled howitzer used by artillery units
- M114, a 155mm towed howitzer used by artillery units
- M270, a multiple launch rocket system used by artillery units
Special Forces
The IDF’s special forces units, including the Yamam (counter-terrorism unit) and the Sayeret Matkal (reconnaissance unit), use a range of specialized weapons, including:
- FN SCAR, a 5.56mm assault rifle used by special forces
- HK MP5, a 9mm submachine gun used by special forces
- M107, a.50 caliber sniper rifle used by special forces
Table: Israeli Army Small Arms
Weapon | Caliber | Purpose |
---|---|---|
IMI Galil | 5.56mm | Assault rifle |
M4A1 Carbine | 5.56mm | Carbine |
IMI Tavor | 5.56mm | Bullpup rifle |
Uzi | 9mm | Submachine gun |
Micro Uzi | .22 | Semi-automatic pistol |
Conclusion
The Israeli army uses a wide range of weapons, from small arms to heavy artillery. The IDF’s arsenal is designed to meet the unique challenges of the Middle East, including counter-terrorism and asymmetric warfare. The army’s weapons are constantly evolving, with new systems being introduced to replace older ones. This article has provided an overview of the guns used by the Israeli army, highlighting some of the most significant and technologically advanced weapons in their arsenal.