IWI ARAD explained

The ARAD is an assault rifle designed in 2019 by Israel Weapon Industries, named after the Israeli city of Arad.^[1]

Design

The ARAD is an assault rifle visually similar to the AR-15,^[2] though it uses a short-stroke gas piston more akin to that of the AR-18, rather than the direct impingement system seen in the AR-15.^[3] 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.^[4] All of its metal parts are corrosion-resistant.^[5]

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. In the standard models, the accuracy is 1 MOA, and in the DMR model, the accuracy is better.^[6]

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.
• Accuracy: 1 MOA.^[6]

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.
• Accuracy: < 1 MOA.^[6]

Adoption

The Arad 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 after it was found best in tests held by the unit.

The Arad is also 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).^[7]

Users

• • • • • Military Police of São Paulo State Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo^[8]
  • Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State^[9]
  • Military Police of Espírito Santo State^[10]
    • Special forces units
    • Ecuadorian Army^[11]
  • Special forces units
    • • • Yamam Israeli Border Police^[12]
    • 17th Raiders Wing^[13]
    • 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.^[14]
    • Peruvian Armed Forces
  • Peruvian National Police^[15]

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2019-09-05 . WORLD EXCLUSIVE: IWI ARAD Hands-On Review . 2023-03-29 . All Outdoor . en-US.
2. Web site: Popenker . Maxim . 2023-01-14 . The IWI ARAD assault rifle (Israel) . 2023-03-29 . Modern Firearms . en.
3. Web site: Moss . Matthew . 2019-09-04 . BREAKING: IWI Introduce the ARAD Rifle . 2023-03-29 . The Firearm Blog . en-US.
4. Web site: Eger . Chris . IWI Announces New ARAD Piston Rifle in 5.56,.300 BLK . 2023-03-29 . Guns.com . en.
5. Web site: The ARAD . 2023-03-29 . IWI . en-US.
6. https://iwi.net/the-best-ar15-platform-available-the-arad/ The ARAD. The best AR15 platform available
7. Web site: Boguslavsky . Eyal . 2024-08-01 . Upcoming Delivery of IWI ARAD 7 Rifles to Peruvian Army: Third Batch Set to Exceed Expectations . 2025-02-07 . Israel Defense . en.
8. https://abcemoff.com.br/policia-civil-de-sao-paulo-recebe-414-novos-fuzis/
9. Web site: Carrilho . Maurício . PMERJ anuncia que fuzil israelense IWI fará parte do arsenal da corporação . 2024-11-13 . pt-BR . 2024-11-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241129235636/https://www.defesabrasilnoticias.com/2022/10/pmerj-anuncia-que-fuzil-israelense-iwi.html?m=1 . dead .
10. Web site: PRODEST . PMES . Polícia Militar recebe 300 carabinas Arad . 2024-11-13 . PMES . pt-BR.
11. Web site: 2022-11-12 . Ecuador's Army acquires 5,700 Israeli-made IWI Arad rifles . 2023-03-29 . The Rio Times . en-US.
12. https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64789
13. Web site: Boguslavsky . Eyal . 2022-11-15 . A first in Italy: Israeli Arad assault rifles & Negev machine guns in army service . 2023-03-29 . Israel Defense . en.
14. Web site: Buan . Lian . 2023-12-09 . Duterte got licenses for over 300 guns 2 weeks before his term ended . 2024-11-21 . RAPPLER . en-US.
15. Web site: PNP recibe 2282 fusiles de asalto junto con equipamiento logístico para combatir el crimen . www.gob.pe . 21 December 2025 . es-pe.