An IDF infantry soldier armed with an Israeli-made Tavor rifle takes part in an urban warfare drill. (photo credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)
Posted on 01/16/2013 6:32:52 AM PST by Pharmboy
Army transitioning to Israeli-made assault rifle for all units, according to report
An IDF infantry soldier armed with an Israeli-made Tavor rifle takes part in an urban warfare drill. (photo credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)
The IDF is phasing out its American-made M-16 assault rifles and replacing them with its Israeli-made Tavor assault rifles, according to a report on Maariv’s website NRG.
The Tavor — featuring a very different design than the M-16, developed for the IDF’s needs by Israel Military Industries during the 1990s — was introduced into service with regular infantry troops in the early 2000s, and slowly integrated to increasingly larger numbers of units throughout the decade. During that period, some M-16s, designed in the Vietnam era, were altered to better meet the IDF’s needs, while others were removed from service; the M-16 increasingly became a weapon for reservists.
As the NRG report noted, there are now a large number of soldiers in the reserves who did not use the American assault rifle during their compulsory military service. To standardize the weaponry for reservists, the report said, senior infantry commanders have decided to completely phase out the M-16s in favor of the Tavor.
The move is a reversal of sorts from the time when the IDF replaced its stock of Galil rifles — the Israeli-designed weapons that were based on a derivative of the ubiquitous Russian AK-47 — with the American M-16s.
A short barreled bull pup? Why? They only thinking CQB and no open desert combat? This doesn’t make sense.
I’ll keep my AK lookin’ Galil Golani, thank you.
What do you say, thefactor?
Galil 5.56 mm
For what round is this chambered?
The Tavor is more than just a bullpup.
Some optional features are still classified, I think ;).
My first thought as well. I’m guessing it’s still the NATO 5.56 because of the availability.
That could be a 16” barrel shown. One of the advantages of a bull pup is a more balanced rifle with a long barrel but a shorter overall length.
Maybe it’s me, but look where the chamber is on the side. It’s really close to the stuck, so the barrel appears almost the same as the M-16.
And based on the “stock” it appears as if it some how disperses the recoil in multiple directions so that it doesn’t hurt your shoulder.
Just my guess though.
not the =note the
Oddly enough, USA manufacture began short time ago. Price around $2K. Not sure what affect the CT situation will have however...
Its scary looking, which means it will be on the ban list.
Both the Brits and the French use a bullpup design. The FAMAS and SA80/L85 models.
I think the attitude is, if the guy is past 300 yards, let the sniper/marksman or mortar crew deal with him.
U.S. forces training with Indian troops using Indian Tavors in a high altitude warfare school in Kashmir:
Indian special forces with the Tavor:
Too many “ugly features.” Butch Reno would hate it!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.