The ARAD was developed for special forces and law enforcement professionals operating in demanding conditions and is based on an advanced AR platform. The 5.56mm rifle features short-stroke gas-piston operation, full ambidextrous controls, a free-floating hammer-forged barrel, and integrated rails to support optics and accessories.
“We are proud to support the IDF with reliable and effective weapon systems that protect our country and our people,” said Ronen Hamudot, Vice Chairman of the SK Group. “The IDF’s expanded adoption of the ARAD reflects the system’s operational performance and reliability. Its continued use underscores our commitment to delivering proven, innovative solutions designed to meet the demands of the most challenging operational environments.”
The contract with IWI was executed through the Ministry of Defense’s Defense Procurement Directorate and the Land Acquisition Unit as part of a wider initiative led with the IDF Ground Forces Command. The programme aims to strengthen community-level security and operational readiness nationwide, incorporating lessons learned from the war.
In addition to the rifle deliveries, the agreement includes a comprehensive ten-year maintenance and sustainment package to ensure long-term availability. Meprolight M5 red-dot sights from existing IDF inventories have been mounted on the weapons to further standardise equipment across rapid response formations.
The initiative reflects Israel’s evolving procurement strategy by linking operational experience, industrial capacity and long-term support into a single model. IWI, part of the SK Group, remains the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Police, with combat-proven systems in service with military and law enforcement users in more than 60 countries.
