Profile
- Type
- Computerized small-arms fire-control system
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Origin
- Israel
- Service note
- Introduced in 2024
Infantry Weapons
Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system
Arbel is IWI's computerized small-arms fire-control system, built to sense shooter motion and trigger state so rifles and light machine guns release rounds when the weapon is back on target; it launched in 2024 and was reported in IDF use during the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.
- Conflict side
- Israel
- Built by
- Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
- Built in
- Israel
Service History
- In service
- Publicly unveiled in April 2024; reported in operational use by the IDF in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas War.
- Used by
- Israel Defense Forces
- Wars
- Israel-Hamas War
Production History
- Designer
- Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
- Designed
- 2024
- Built by
- Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
- Built in
- Israel
- Unit cost
- Not publicly disclosed
- Produced
- 2024-present
- Number built
- Not publicly disclosed
- Variants
- Negev ARBEL, Arad ARBEL
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, and AR-15-style rifles; brochure says it 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.
Conflict Usage
- Israel-Hamas War
- Side: IsraelRole: Assisted infantry fire control
The Defense Post reported the IDF used Arbel in the Israel-Hamas War's ongoing Gaza offensive, on rifles and light machine guns.
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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: 2026-06-20Breaking Defense Arbel launch reportPublisher: Breaking Defense | Note: Background reporting on Arbel's April 2024 launch, platform compatibility, and sensor-driven firing mode. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Defense Post Arbel deployment reportPublisher: The Defense Post | Note: The Defense Post reported Arbel used by the IDF in the Israel-Hamas War's ongoing Gaza offensive; the article image is credited to IWI. | Accessed: 2026-06-20