Infantry Weapons

IWI Arad assault rifle

The IWI Arad assault rifle is Israel Weapon Industries' modular AR-15-platform rifle family, launched for 5.56x45mm NATO and .300 Blackout use. Official IWI material describes it as a short-stroke gas-piston rifle with fully ambidextrous controls, quick-change barrels, and accessory rails; defense reporting also identifies it as compatible with IWI's Arbel fire-control system.

IWI Arad assault rifle, 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle, Infantry Weapons

Image source: IWI Arad.jpg

Profile

Origin: Israel
Built by: Israel Weapon Industries (IWI)
Type: 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle
Service note: Introduced in 2019
Designed: 2019
Produced: 2019-present

portable assault rifle NATO

Specifications

Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO / .300 Blackout
Action: Short-stroke gas piston with a two-position gas regulator
Barrel lengths: 292 mm (11.5 in) and 368 mm (14.5 in), with 419 mm (16.5 in) and 508 mm (20 in) options announced
Weight: About 2.85 kg unloaded
Controls: Fully ambidextrous with a monolithic upper receiver, Picatinny rail, and M-LOK mounting positions

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Publicly introduced in September 2019 as a lightweight modular assault rifle for infantry, special units, and law-enforcement users.

Compatible Fire-Control System

Defense reporting links the Arad rifle to IWI's Arbel computerized fire-control system.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Arbel computerized fire-control weapon system

Computerized fire-control system

The Jerusalem Post reports that Arbel integrates directly into IWI's own ARAD assault rifles.

Sources: Jerusalem Post Arbel smart rifle system

IWI Arad assault rifle Images

IWI Arad assault rifle, 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 1 — Source: IWI Arad.jpg

IWI Arad assault rifle, 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 2 — Source: IWI Arad.jpg

IWI Arad assault rifle, 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 3 — Source: IWI Arad.jpg

IWI Arad assault rifle, 5.56x45mm modular assault rifle, Infantry Weapons - view 4 — Source: IWI Arad.jpg

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Sources

IWI ARAD product pagePublisher: Israel Weapon Industries | Note: Supports manufacturer background, the ARAD's 5.56x45mm and .300 BLK chamberings, short-stroke gas-piston operation, ambidextrous controls, rail layout, and listed technical data. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 IWI ARAD launch reportPublisher: Joint Forces News | Note: Supports the 2019 launch, AR-15-platform background, special-forces and infantry design intent, and the original ARAD barrel-length figures. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Jerusalem Post Arbel smart rifle systemPublisher: The Jerusalem Post | Note: Supports the Arbel compatibility context by reporting that the system integrates directly into IWI's ARAD assault rifles. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 IWI Arad.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the primary Arad product photograph and its CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 IWI Arad.pngPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for an alternate Arad product photograph and its CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 IWI ARAD Peru 2024.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a public Arad image from Peru's 2024 military parade and its CC BY 2.0 licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23