Posted on 08/10/2003 1:33:19 PM PDT by klpt
Israel is replacing its world-famous Uzi sub-machinegun and U.S.-supplied M-16 assault rifle with a new flagship firearm.
The design of the Tavor is based largely on lessons learned during military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the 34-month-old Al Aqsa intifada.
The first Tavors, made by Israel Military Industries (IMI), have been issued to elite Israeli
infantry units, part of an order of 15,000 announced last month by the Defense Ministry.
Security sources said deals were under way to sell the weapon, retailing at $1,000, to "friendly foreign clients.". "The Tavor is probably the finest assault rifle now available. It is a matter of national pride," Moti Rosen, vice president of the small-arms division at IMI, said on Sunday.
Named after a mountain where biblical Israelites did battle, the Tavor is compact. Its commando variation weighs 2.8 kg (6.2lbs) compared with the Uzi's 3.7 kg and M-16's 3.4 kg. Bullets are loaded through its stock, allowing for a snub barrel.
"The Tavor would be useful anywhere where close quarters battle is the rule, and from vehicles," said Charles Cutshaw, firearms editor at Jane's International Defense Review Magazine.
It has large vents to prevent dust clogs and sights allowing the shooter to aim with both eyes open.
The Tavor spells the end, locally, of the M-16, a staple assault rifle supplied to Israel since the early 1970s as part of Washington's annual defense grants.
The M-16 has drawn complaints. Designed for Vietnam-style tropics, it jams frequently in the desert. Many of the rifles Israel received were from military surplus and often fatigued.
Nonetheless, Israel long allowed the M-16 to eclipse its Uzi and another IMI-made assault rifle, the Galil, which both ended up being sold to client states in Africa and South America.
Rosen said he expected no such hold-ups with the Tavor, developed over a decade at an undisclosed production cost.
"As for the Americans, I'm sorry if they lose business but that's the price of progress," he said.
Colt Manufacturing, which produces the M-16, did not comment.
Different missioin. The FN P-90 that you've posted a picture of is chambered for 5.7X28, which is a rather hot pistol round, but not up to the level of 5.56x45 which the M-16 and most other Western assault rifles use. In fact they make a pistol for it too, the FN-49 IIRC. The cocept is that it's for REMF rear echelon troops, vehicle crews and others who need something more than a pistol, but also need the use of both hands and something smaller than a full sized assault rifle, or even than the carbine version of one. Similar concept to the M-1/M-2 Carbines, althouh even more compact and "handy" (the M-1 Carbine didn't have a bayonet either, until the post war upgrades) But that 5.7 round is a much better penetrator than the .30 Carbine round. (which could be good or bad, depending on circumstances.)
I't's a shame that the Barrett "peon" version doesn't conform to the primary design -- as it currently stands, I'd rather invest in a good Marlin lever action. $;-)
They're finally replacing the Uzi because it jams a lot, right? < s >
Separated at birth?
Tavor TAR-21
Steyr AUG A2
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