Infantry Weapons

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system

Also known as
  • ARBEL
  • IWI Arbel
  • computerized small arms system
  • smart rifle system

Arbel is IWI's battery-powered computerized fire-control upgrade for rifles and light machine guns, built to time follow-up shots as the weapon settles back on target. IWI launched it publicly in April 2024 after combat-use reporting from Gaza, and later company and Israeli reporting framed the system as a low-cost infantry answer to small drones.

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system, Computerized small-arms fire-control system, Infantry Weapons
Image source: European Security & Defence Arbel launch report

Role in Conflicts

Cost And Counter-Drone Context

IWI-linked reporting frames Arbel as a cheaper way to answer small-drone threats than dedicated counter-UAS systems, while separate Gaza reporting supports the conflict-use row above.

PointWhat the sources say
System priceIWI says the unit sits in the same price range as standard assault rifles rather than premium specialist equipment.
Ammunition costThe company says Arbel uses standard 5.56mm SS109 ammunition priced at about a dollar per round, so a typical interception runs about $10 to $20 in ammunition.
Range claimThe Ynet interview republished by IWI says users achieved drone hits at about 450 meters by day with regular day scopes and about 250 meters at night with thermal sights.
Operational pitchIWI says the system is meant to give infantry a scalable anti-drone response using weapons they already carry.

Sources: Ynet Arbel anti-drone interview; IWI one bullet will not be enough article; Defense Post Arbel deployment report; European Security & Defence Arbel launch report.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Computerized small-arms fire-control system
Service note
Introduced in 2024
Designer
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
Designed
2024
Unit cost
Not publicly disclosed; IWI says the system is priced in the same range as standard assault rifles.
Produced
2024-present
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Operating principle
Electromechanical trigger and sensors select the best firing moment when the shooter is back on target.
Supported platforms
IWI Negev light machine gun, ARAD, Tavor/X95, and AR-15/M4-style rifles; IWI says the approach can adapt to small-arms platforms.
Weight
About 900 g on the Negev grip unit and about 400 g on rifle integrations, including battery.
Battery life
Up to 50 hours with the safety on in ARBEL mode.
Installation
Rifle integrations replace the lower receiver while keeping the existing upper receiver; Negev integrations use a dedicated grip unit.
Anti-drone performance claim
IWI-linked reporting says trained users achieved anti-drone hits at about 450 m by day with standard optics and about 250 m at night with thermal optics.
Environmental qualification
IWI's product page says Arbel was tested to MIL-STD-810 and TOP 3-2-045 standards.
How It Works

IWI describes Arbel as a computerized fire-control upgrade that keeps the shooter in control of the trigger but times follow-up shots when the weapon returns to the aiming point.

FeatureDocumented detail
Follow-up shotsAfter the first round, the system waits until the weapon is back on target before releasing later shots as long as the trigger stays held.
Rifle installationOn AR-15-style rifles, the computerized lower receiver replaces the standard lower while the upper remains in place with two pins.
Negev installationAll4Shooters describes the Negev version as a grip-unit installation with a separate battery carried on the weapon.
Weight and powerIWI cites about 400 grams of added weight on rifle integrations, about 900 grams on the Negev grip unit, and up to 50 hours of battery life in ARBEL mode.
Platform scopeBrochure and launch reporting place Arbel on rifles and light machine guns rather than on a single dedicated weapon model.

Sources: IWI ARBEL brochure; IWI ARBEL product page; All4Shooters interview: IWI Arbel computerised weapon system; European Security & Defence Arbel launch report.

Variants

Sources describe Arbel as a platform-adapted fire-control upgrade rather than a single complete weapon: rifle versions use a computerized lower-receiver approach, while the Negev version uses a dedicated grip-unit installation.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Rifle ARBEL lower-receiver configurationRifle integration

IWI and launch reporting describe rifle versions in which the computerized lower receiver replaces the standard lower while the upper receiver remains in place.

Sources: IWI ARBEL brochure, European Security & Defence Arbel launch report, Joint Forces ARBEL report

Negev ARBEL grip-unit configurationLight-machine-gun integration

All4Shooters and Globes describe a Negev-specific Arbel installation built around a grip unit and battery, with IWI-credited launch images showing the system on a Negev machine gun.

Sources: All4Shooters interview: IWI Arbel computerised weapon system, Globes Arbel launch report, IWI ARBEL brochure

Supported Platforms

IWI and launch reporting show Arbel as a computerized fire-control upgrade for rifles and light machine guns, with rifle installations centered on a lower-receiver swap and the Negev installation using a dedicated grip unit.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
IWI Negev NG5 light machine gun, 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun, Infantry WeaponsIWI Negev NG5 light machine gunLight machine gun

IWI's brochure and All4Shooters describe the Arbel grip-unit installation on the Negev platform, and Globes publishes an IWI-credited Negev image.

Sources: IWI ARBEL brochure, All4Shooters interview: IWI Arbel computerised weapon system, Globes Arbel launch report

IWI Arad assault rifle, Modular assault and battle rifle family, Infantry WeaponsIWI Arad assault rifleRifle

The Jerusalem Post reports that Arbel integrates directly into IWI's ARAD assault rifle line.

Sources: Jerusalem Post Arbel smart rifle system

AR-15-pattern rifle, 5.56 mm self-loading rifle platform, Infantry WeaponsAR-15-pattern rifleRifle platform

IWI's brochure and launch reporting describe Arbel as compatible with AR-15/M4-style rifles through a lower-receiver installation.

Sources: IWI ARBEL brochure, European Security & Defence Arbel launch report, Joint Forces ARBEL report

IWI Tavor/X95 rifle family, Bullpup assault rifle family, Infantry WeaponsIWI Tavor/X95 rifle familyBullpup rifle family

EDR Magazine's launch-demonstration report identifies a Tavor/X95 rifle among the Arbel demonstration platforms, supporting compatibility with the existing Tavor/X95 family record.

Sources: EDR Magazine Arbel launch demo

Timeline

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system Key Events

  1. IWI unveils Arbel

    European Security & Defence reports that IWI launched Arbel as the world's first computerised small-arms system.

    Sources: European Security & Defence Arbel launch report

  2. Globes shows Arbel on a Negev machine gun

    Globes publishes an IWI-credited image of Arbel installed on a Negev machine gun and says the system improves reaction speed and accuracy.

    Sources: Globes Arbel launch report

  3. Defense Post reports IDF use in Gaza

    The Defense Post reports the IDF using Arbel during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War's Gaza offensive.

    Sources: Defense Post Arbel deployment report

  4. Israeli reporting details anti-drone role

    The Jerusalem Post described Arbel as a computerized fire-control system that can be integrated into ARAD assault rifles and framed the system as part of a wider answer to low-cost drone threats.

    Sources: Jerusalem Post Arbel smart rifle system

  5. India integration talks reported

    News9 Live reported that India was in talks with Israel to integrate Arbel into domestically produced rifles, giving the system a prospective export and local-production pathway.

    Sources: News9 India Arbel talks report

  6. IWI-linked report expands counter-drone context

    A Ynet interview republished by IWI said the system had been implemented in 10 to 15 countries and described its low-cost anti-drone pitch using standard 5.56 mm ammunition.

    Sources: Ynet Arbel anti-drone interview, IWI one bullet will not be enough article

Media

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system Videos

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system Images

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system, Computerized small-arms fire-control system, Infantry Weapons - view 1
Source: European Security & Defence Arbel launch report
Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system, Computerized small-arms fire-control system, Infantry Weapons - view 2
Source: European Security & Defence Arbel launch report
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Sources

IWI ARBEL brochurePublisher: Israel Weapon Industries | Note: Official brochure describing Arbel as IWI's computerized weapon system, its operating concept, supported platforms, weight, and battery-life figures. | Accessed: 2026-07-01IWI ARBEL product pagePublisher: Israel Weapon Industries | Note: Official product page supporting Arbel manufacturer background, claimed platform adaptability, computerized fire-control concept, and environmental-test standards. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Breaking Defense Arbel launch reportPublisher: Breaking Defense | Note: Background reporting on Arbel's April 2024 launch, platform compatibility, and sensor-driven firing mode. | Accessed: 2026-07-01European Security & Defence Arbel launch reportPublisher: European Security & Defence | Note: Reports IWI's 4 April 2024 launch of Arbel, platform compatibility, and IDF use of Arbel-equipped rifles and light machine guns in Gaza during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War; includes the launch image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Globes Arbel launch reportPublisher: Globes | Note: Reports Arbel on a Negev machine gun and includes an IWI-credited launch image showing the system in use on that platform. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Defense Post Arbel deployment reportPublisher: The Defense Post | Note: The Defense Post reported Arbel used by the IDF in the 2023 Israel-Hamas War's ongoing Gaza offensive; the article image is credited to IWI. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Jerusalem Post Arbel smart rifle systemPublisher: The Jerusalem Post | Note: Supports Arbel compatibility with IWI's ARAD assault rifles and the rifle-platform, anti-drone, and 2025 Israeli defense-technology context described in the article. | Accessed: 2026-07-01All4Shooters interview: IWI Arbel computerised weapon systemPublisher: All4Shooters | Note: Background reporting on Arbel's rifle and Negev configurations, platform compatibility, and the distinction between lower-receiver and grip-unit installations. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Joint Forces ARBEL reportPublisher: Joint Forces | Note: Background reporting on Arbel compatibility with AR-15-pattern rifles. | Accessed: 2026-07-01EDR Magazine Arbel launch demoPublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Launch-demonstration report supporting Arbel compatibility with multiple demonstration platforms, including Tavor/X95-family rifles, M4/AR-15-style rifles, ARAD, Carmel, and Negev. | Accessed: 2026-07-01IWI one bullet will not be enough articlePublisher: IWI | Note: IWI article reprinting a Ynet feature about Arbel's anti-drone role, ammunition cost context, rifle-price positioning, and reported implementation in 10 to 15 countries. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Ynet Arbel anti-drone interviewPublisher: Ynetnews | Note: Interview-based report supporting Arbel's anti-drone range claims, ammunition-cost framing, and the reported 10 to 15 country implementation figure. | Accessed: 2026-07-01News9 India Arbel talks reportPublisher: News9 Live | Note: Reports late-2025 India-Israel talks on integrating Arbel into domestically produced rifles, supporting prospective export and local-integration context rather than confirmed combat use. | Accessed: 2026-07-01