IWI hopes ARAD-7 rifle benefits from Israeli boost in domestic production

ARAD-7 DMR with 406 mm long barrel, left-hand side. (IWI)

A spokesperson for Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has told Janes of progress towards the company's goal of widespread Israel Defense Forces (IDF) adoption of its ARAD-7 multicalibre rifle.

The ARAD-7 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, select fire rifle, chambered primarily for the 7.62×51 mm cartridge. Introduced to the market in 2023, the ARAD-7 is the bigger brother to the company's ARAD (sometimes referred to as the ARAD-5) 5.56 mm/.300 BLK multicalibre rifle.

Technical evolution

Despite sharing a name, the two rifles are mechanically distinct – the ARAD is a short-stroke piston operated AR-15 pattern rifle, while the ARAD-7 has adopted an internal layout more like that of the ArmaLite AR-18 series. This allows for the implementation of a side-folding stock, which does not impair the mechanical function of the weapon.

The ARAD-7 is offered in two base configurations – an assault rifle and a designated marksman rifle (DMR). The main difference is with the barrel lengths and trigger type.

The assault configuration is offered with a 368 mm and 406 mm long barrel, with a rifling twist of 1:304 mm, while the DMR configuration is offered with either 326 mm, 352 mm, or 406 mm barrel configurations, all featuring a faster 1:254 mm twist rate.

The DMR model is fitted with a two-stage trigger as well. The ARAD-7 is designed to be user configurable, with barrel changes only needing simple tools. The short-stroke gas piston features a three position gas regulator to accommodate the use of various sound suppressors.