Argentina turns to Israeli-made ARAD rifles after evaluating eight competing companies
After a year-long technical evaluation, Argentina selected IWI’s ARAD-5 and ARAD-7. The first shipment has been delivered under a government-to-government agreement with Israel.
Argentina has begun replacing some of its military’s decades-old assault rifles with Israeli-made weapons, selecting Israel Weapon Industries’ ARAD-5 and ARAD-7 after evaluating competing systems from the United States, Europe, Israel and Argentina.
The first 250 rifles were formally presented last week at the Patricios Infantry Regiment in Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of a broader modernization program for the Argentine Armed Forces. The weapons were acquired from Israel under a government-to-government agreement between the two countries.
Argentina is gradually moving away from the FN FAL rifles that have been used by its armed forces for decades, as well as M-16 rifles used by the Marine Infantry.
The Argentine Ministry of Defense said the evaluation process considered eight companies from Argentina, Israel, Europe and the United States. The technical and operational evaluation was conducted during 2025 with personnel from all three branches of the armed forces.
The ARAD-5 and ARAD-7 were ultimately selected as the new individual weapons platform for the Argentine military. The ARAD-5 is based on the AR-15 architecture and uses 5.56 mm ammunition, while the ARAD-7 is based on the AR-10 architecture and uses 7.62 mm ammunition.
The first shipment consists of 250 rifles. According to the Argentine Defense Ministry, the weapons are being introduced across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Local reporting has specified the breakdown as 50 ARAD-7 rifles for the Army and 200 ARAD-5 rifles for the Air Force and Marine Corps.
The rifles are equipped with Mepro M5 electro-optical red-dot sights. The Argentine Defense Ministry describes the new weapons as lighter and more modular than the systems they are replacing, with the ability to integrate additional technologies and adapt to different operational requirements.
The next stage is already being prepared. IWI is expected to begin training Argentine personnel in the operation and maintenance of the rifles during October, with the second batch scheduled to arrive in the first quarter of 2027.
The overall size of the purchase has not been disclosed by Argentina's Defense Ministry. Argentine defense publications have reported that the initial delivery forms part of a larger order of 1,600 rifles.
There is also a potential industrial component to the deal. Argentine military commanders have indicated that the country is considering establishing local production or assembly of the rifles. No timetable has been announced and no local company has been identified as a potential manufacturing partner.
