Next Generation Infantry Weapon
An articlewriiten by
Alon Ben-David JDW Correspondent, Tel Aviv Date Posted: 18-Sep-2009
Israel's next-generation assault rifle - the 5.56 mm Tavor TAR-21 - is finally overcoming earlier setbacks and is now on track to become the Israel Defence Force's (IDF's) main infantry weapon.
With two regular infantry brigades - Givati and Golani - already fully equipped with Israel Weapon Industries' (IWI's) Tavor rifles, the IDF is currently fulfilling an initial order for 15,000 TAR-21 rifles placed in 2003, intended to equip four infantry brigades.
Developed originally by Israel Military Industries (IMI) in the 1990s as a replacement for the M16 series rifles, the TAR-21 was selected by the IDF in 2002 following operational testing against the US M4 carbine. IMI began supplying the IDF's initial requirement as well as an order from India, but both customers complained of problems in operating the rifle and requested that deliveries cease.
