Argentinean Armed Forces receive new assault rifles from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). The Argentine Ministry of Defense has officially introduced the ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 models. The weapons are intended to modernize the individual armament of the armed forces and will be delivered with Meprolight M5 reflex sights.
IWI has received a contract to deliver the ARAD rifle family to the Argentine armed forces. The Ministry of Defense officially presented the ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 models earlier this week. The selection aims to support the modernization of the Argentine armed forces’ individual weapons. IWI positions the ARAD family as a modular weapons platform for military and police users.
The ARAD rifles are based on the AR platform but feature a short-stroke gas piston drive and fully ambidextrous controls. A free-floating, cold-forged barrel is said to provide high precision even under heavy workload. An integrated Picatinny rail and an M-LOK handguard allow mounting of optics and further accessories as well as adaptation to different deployment configurations.
M5 Sights by Meprolight
The rifles delivered to Argentina are equipped with Meprolight M5 reflex sights. Thus the ARAD platform gains an integrated aiming optic. The M5 family uses LED technology and is designed to MIL-STD-compliant according to the manufacturer. In daylight operation, several thousand operating hours should be possible with a single AA battery.
The brightness can be adjusted across a wide range. This should allow the sight to be used both in bright sunlight and under partially lit conditions. Also cited are use cases in close-quarters combat as well as the use with night-vision devices in covert operations.
ARAD Family: Designed for at least 20,000 Rounds
IWI states that for the essential components of the ARAD family a design life of at least 20,000 rounds is planned. The system is intended to maintain its performance throughout its service life. The combination of durability, precision, and modular outfitting should provide the Argentine armed forces with a platform adaptable to different mission requirements.
SK-Group Vice President Ronen Hamudot explained that IWI designed the ARAD family according to the principle that weapon performance is non-negotiable. The construction reportedly combines durability, precision, and adaptability in a platform tailored for modern operations.
Author: Arie Egozi, Israel Correspondent
