Israel Completes Nationwide Rollout of ARAD Rifles to Rapid Response Units
Israel has completed the nationwide rollout of thousands of ARAD rifles to rapid response units under a $31 million procurement program, including a 10-year maintenance and sustainment package aimed at long-term readiness and standardization.
The Israel Ministry of Defense and the Israel Defense Forces have completed the nationwide distribution of thousands of ARAD assault rifles to rapid response teams across Israel, concluding a procurement program valued at approximately $31 million (NIS 100 million).
The rifles were produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) under a contract executed through the Ministry of Defense’s Defense Procurement Directorate and the Land Acquisition Unit. The program forms part of a broader effort to strengthen community-level security and operational readiness, incorporating operational lessons drawn from recent combat experience.
In addition to weapon delivery, the agreement includes a 10-year maintenance and sustainment package, aimed at ensuring long-term availability and lifecycle support. As part of the rollout, ARAD rifles were fitted with Meprolight M5 red-dot sights sourced from existing IDF inventories, contributing to further standardization across rapid response formations.
Israeli officials said the initiative reflects an evolving procurement approach that links operational requirements, domestic industrial capacity, and long-term support arrangements — a model that may influence future defense programs.
