List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces

The military equipment of Israel includes a wide array of arms, armored vehicles, artillery, missiles, planes, helicopters, and warships. Many of these are purchased overseas and many are indigenous designs. Until the Six-Day War of 1967, the Israel Defense Forces' principal supplier was France; since then, it has been the United States government and defense companies in the United States. In the early 21st century, Israeli companies (such as Soltam Systems) began selling arms to the United States.[1] Much military equipment undergoes improvements in Israeli workshops.

Current equipment and weapons of the Israel Defense Forces, 2021

In addition to weapons purchased overseas and indigenous products, Israel also operates and maintains large stockpiles of Soviet-made equipment, captured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab–Israeli conflict.[2]

History

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the military equipment in the IDF was very diverse and inconsistent. This was due to the severe limitation in obtaining war materiel (the British Mandate and the Arab embargo). During the 1950s, the IDF began the process of standardization, relying primarily on French military equipment.

During the Six-Day War, the military cooperation with France ceased (the French Weapons Embargo of 1967) and Israel began to rely on American weaponry and on local research and development. During the 1980s and 1990s, the IDF increased its supplies of American arms, armor and aircraft, aiming for technological superiority over Arab countries, toward "a smaller, smarter army".

The reliance on locally manufactured military equipment has also greatly increased. Today, the overwhelming majority of Israel's military equipment is either manufactured in the United States (and often modified in Israeli workshops), or is developed and manufactured locally, with an increasing emphasis on advanced technology, including aerospace and electronics.

Local military development

Some of the military equipment developed locally have been:

Ground forces equipment

Small arms

NameImageTypeCaliberOriginNotes
Pistols
Jericho 941[4] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm  IsraelUsed by IDF and IDF Special Forces
Glock 17[5] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm  AustriaUsed by IDF Special Forces
Glock 19[6] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm  AustriaUsed by IDF Special Forces
Browning Hi-Power[6] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm  Belgium
SIG Sauer P226[6] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm Parabellum   SwitzerlandUsed by IDF Special Forces.
Beretta M1951[4] Semi-automatic pistol9×19mm  Italy
Heckler & Koch P11[4] Underwater pistol7.62×36mm  Germany
Submachine guns
IMI Uzi[7] Submachine gun9×19mm  IsraelUzi, Mini-Uzi, Micro-Uzi, and Uzi-Pro used.
Ingram MAC-10[4] Submachine gun9×19mm  United States
IWI X95[4] Submachine gun and bullpup assault rifle9×19mm variant  Israel9x19mm suppressed variant used by IDF Special Forces
Semi-automatic rifle
Suppressed Ruger 10/22[6][8]
Semi-automatic rifle.22 LR  United StatesAdopted for non-lethal crowd control.
Assault rifles
Tavor X95 (Micro-Tavor Dor Gimel) [citation needed] Bullpup assault rifle/Carbine/Service rifle5.56x45mm  IsraelImproved version of the X95 with longer barrel.
IWI X95 (Micro-Tavor)[4] Bullpup Assault rifle/Carbine5.56x45mm  IsraelCompact version of the TAR-21. Standard Issue rifle since 2009 replacing the TAR-21.
IWI Tavor TAR-21[4] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  IsraelCut from service as of 2009 and replaced by the X95.
M4A1 Carbine[4] Carbine/Assault rifle/Service rifle5.56×45mm  United StatesStandard Issue Assault Rifle along with M16, CAR-15, and X95 and used by Special Forces
M16A1[9] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  United StatesStandard Issue Assault Rifle along with the M4, CAR-15, M16A2 and X95. Most of the long-barreled rifles were modified to have short barrel and a telescoping stock, the rest are reserved for basic training and ceremonial issues
M16A2[citation needed] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  United StatesStandard Issue Assault Rifle along with the M4, CAR-15, M16A1 and X95. Most of the M16A2 is firing automatic, some to custom for DMR and rest are ceremonial issues.
CAR-15[6] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  United StatesStandard Issue Assault Rifle along with M4, M16A1, and X95
IMI Galil[4][7] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  IsraelUsed in limited numbers. Variants used are Galil AR and Galil SAR. Most Galil's have been replaced by the improved (Galil) IWI ACE.
IMI Micro Galil [citation needed] Assault rifle5.56×45mm  IsraelUsed in limited numbers. Highly compact version of the Galil. Most Galil's have been replaced by the improved (Galil) IWI ACE.
AKM[4][7][10] Assault rifle7.62×39mm  Soviet UnionCaptured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab–Israeli conflict and was used by Special Forces due to their high reliability.
AK-47[4][7][10] Assault rifle7.62×39mm  Soviet UnionCaptured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab–Israeli conflict and was used by Special Forces due to their high reliability.
Battle rifles
M14[4] Battle rifle7.62×51mm  United StatesUsed in limited numbers by the IDF.
Light machine gun
IMI Negev[4] Light machine gun5.56×45mm  IsraelCapable of firing semi-automatic or full-auto. The 5.56 variant features a unique dual feed system, it can accept 30 round STANAG magazines and an assault-box belt.
Medium machine gun
M1919 Browning [citation needed] Medium machine gun.30-06 Springfield  United States
General-purpose machine guns
FN MAG[11] General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm  BelgiumFormer Standard Issue to IDF Since 1960s to 1990s as a Main Machine Gun.
Negev NG7 [citation needed] General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm  IsraelCapable of semi-automatic or full-automatic fire.
PKM[6] General-purpose machine gun7.62×54mmR  Soviet UnionCaptured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab–Israeli conflict and used by Special Forces.
M60 [citation needed] General-purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATO  United StatesLimited use.
Heavy machine guns
Browning M2 (Makach 0.5)[4] Heavy machine gun12.7×99mm  United StatesUpgraded to M2HB-QCB
Shotguns
Armsel Striker [citation needed] Revolving riot shotgun12 Gauge  South AfricaUsed for riot control
Designated marksman rifles
M4A1 Kala Sa'ar [citation needed] Designated marksman rifle5.56×45mm  United StatesAccurized M4A1, used by "kala sa'ar" marksmen.
SR-25 Mk 11 [6] Designated marksman rifle/Sniper rifle7.62×51mm  United StatesUsed by IDF Special Forces. Also employed as a sniper rifle.
Tavor X-95L "Micro-Tavor Kala'im"[citation needed] Designated marksman rifle5.56×45mm  IsraelAccurized Micro-Tavor X95 with longer barrel, used by "kala sa'ar" marksmen.
Sniper rifles
M24 SWS[6] Sniper rifle7.62×51mm  United StatesStandard-issued sniper rifle, achieves accuracy of 0.5 MOA with IMI ammo.
IDF Modernized M24 SWS[6] Sniper rifle7.62×51mm  United StatesStandard-issued sniper rifle, achieves accuracy of 0.5 MOA with IMI ammo.
Mauser 86SR[6]Sniper rifle7.62×51mm  GermanyUsed for counter-terrorism operations.
Barak (HTR 2000) [citation needed] Long-range sniper rifle.338 Lapua Magnum  United StatesAn IDF modified H-S Precision Pro Series 2000 HTR rifle
Barrett M82A1Anti-materiel rifle12.7×99mm  United StatesUsed mainly by the Combat Engineering Corps and IDF Special Forces
McMillan TAC-50 [citation needed] Long range sniper rifle/Anti-materiel rifle12.7×99mm  United StatesUsed by IDF Special Forces.
Barrett MRAD [citation needed] Multi-role sniper rifle (field sniping / counter-terrorism / long-range)7.62×51mm
.338 Lapua Magnum
 United StatesUsed by Special Forces and also by Israeli Police elite CT unit YAMAM. Achieves accuracy of 0.35-0.5 MOA (1.1 cm groups in 100 m).
Barrett REC10[citation needed] Semi-automatic sniper rifle (counter-terrorism)7.62×51mm  United StatesUse by the IDF special forces and also by Israeli Police. Achieves accuracy of around 0.75 MOA.
IWI Dan [citation needed] Long-range sniper rifle.338 Lapua Magnum  Israel
Hand grenades
M26A2 [citation needed] Fragmentation grenaden/a  IsraelBased on the American M26 grenade
IDF M48 [citation needed] Stun grenaden/a  IsraelBased on the American M84 stun grenade

Rocket and grenade launchers

NameImageTypeCaliberOriginNotes
B-300 Shipon [citation needed] Shoulder-launched rocket96 mm  Israel
M72 LAW [citation needed] Shoulder-launched rocket66 mm  United States
MATADOR [citation needed] Shoulder-launched rocket90 mm  Israel
 Singapore
M203[4] Under-barrel grenade launcher40 mm  United StatesUsually mounted under an M16, M4, CAR-15, or X95. Mounted on X95's with longer barrels and large trigger guard instead of the standard pistol grip guard.
Mk 19[4] Automatic grenade launcher40 mm  United States
Mk 47 Striker [citation needed] Automatic grenade launcher40 mm  United States

Missiles

NameImageTypeOriginNotes
Spike [citation needed] Anti-tank missile  IsraelUsed various models of the family, including Gil (Spike-MR) and Gil 2 (Spike-LR II), Spike-ER (I and II) and Tamouz (Spike NLOS).
BGM-71 TOW [citation needed] Anti-tank missile  United States
LAHAT [citation needed] Anti-tank missile  Israel
MAPATS [citation needed] Anti-tank missile  Israel
Nimrod [citation needed] Long-range anti-tank missile  Israel

Vehicles

NameImageTypeNumberOriginNotes
Main battle tanks (490)
Merkava Mark 4M Main battle tank~330  Israel~220 stored.[12]
Merkava Mark IV Main battle tank  Israel
Merkava Mark 3 Main battle tank~160  Israel~660 stored.[12]
Armoured personnel carriers (1,360)
M113 Armored personnel carrier500 active[13]
5,000 in storage[13]
 United States
 Israel
Was used until the Battle of Shuja'iyya incident
IDF Achzarit [citation needed] Heavy armored personnel carrier215  IsraelBased on the T-54 tank
Nagmachon [citation needed] Heavy armored personnel carrierN/A  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Centurion tank
Nakpadon [citation needed] Heavy armored personnel carrierN/A  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Centurion tank
Nakpuma[citation needed]Heavy combat engineering/Armored personnel carrierN/A  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Centurion tank
Namer [citation needed] Heavy armored personnel carrier120  Israel531 planned to be in service by 2027. Based on the Merkava chassis.
Eitan [citation needed] Armored fighting vehicle/Armored personnel carrierN/A  IsraelEquipped with Iron Fist APS
Utility vehicles
Wolf [citation needed] Armored vehicle300  Israel
AIL Storm [citation needed] Utility vehicle700  Israel
HMMWV [citation needed] Utility vehicle2,000+  United States
MDT David [citation needed] Utility vehicle400  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Land Rover Defender
Plasan Sand Cat [citation needed] Utility vehicle79  Israel
Otokar Akrep [citation needed]Armored vehicle30  Turkey[14]
Trucks
AIL Abir [citation needed] 4×4 truckN/A  Israel
M35 [citation needed] 8×12 truckN/A  United States
Unimog 437[citation needed] Heavy truckN/A  Germany
HEMTT [citation needed] 8×8 heavy truckN/A  United States
Engineering vehicles
Puma [citation needed] Heavy combat engineering vehicleN/A  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Centurion tank
Namer CEV [citation needed] Heavy combat engineering vehicleN/A  IsraelBased on the Merkava tank
IDF Caterpillar D9 [citation needed] Combat armored bulldozer175+  United States
 Israel
Bulldozer manufactured by Caterpillar Inc., military conversion and armor by Israel.
IDF Caterpillar Excavator 330[citation needed] Armored tracked excavatorN/A  United States
 Israel
Excavators manufactured by Caterpillar Inc., military conversion and armor by Israel.
IDF Caterpillar 966 Wheeled Loader[citation needed] Armored wheeled loaderN/A  United States
 Israel
Loaders manufactured by Caterpillar Inc., military conversion and armor by Israel.
M548 Alfa [citation needed] Cargo and ammunition carrierN/A  United States
 Israel
Based on the M113
M60 AVLB [citation needed] Armored bridge layer10  United States
Nemmera [citation needed]Armored recovery vehicleN/A  IsraelBased on the Merkava
M88 [citation needed] Armored recovery vehicle25  United States
Nagmapop [citation needed] Command and surveillance vehicleN/A  United Kingdom
 Israel
Based on the Centurion tank
AIL Desert Raider [citation needed]Dune buggyN/A  Israel
VIPeR [citation needed]Unmanned ground vehicleN/A  Israel
Guardium [citation needed] Unmanned ground vehicleN/A  Israel
Dawn Thunder/Black Thunder [citation needed] Unmanned armored bulldozerN/A  United States
 Israel
Based on the IDF Caterpillar D9N[15]
IDF D9T Panda [citation needed] Unmanned armored bulldozerN/A  United States
 Israel
Based on the IDF Caterpillar D9

Artillery

NameImageTypeNumber in service[16]OriginNotes
M109 Doher 155mm self-propelled howitzer600  United States
 Israel
Upgraded as the M109 Doher. Based on the M109A5. Replacement program initiated,[17] candidates include ATMOS 2000 and the Artillery Gun Module.[18] Used in limited numbers
Soltam M-71 155mm towed howitzer300  Israel
Soltam M-68 155mm self-propelled howitzer50  IsraelIn reserve
M270 "Menatetz" Multiple rocket launcher48  United States
 Israel
Armed with several types of Israeli rockets: RAMAM, Ra'am Eithan (Strong Thunder) and Romach ("Lance", a guided rocket).
Cardom SP 120 mm self-propelled mortar64  Israel
Soltam M-65 120 mm mortar250  Israel
M113 Tamuz Missile launching vehicleN/A  IsraelSpike missiles launched from an M113 chassis[19]
LAR-160 160 mm artillery rocket  Israel
RomachM270 MLRS Menatetz GPS-guided artillery rocket  Israel
Extended Range Artillery Rocket (EXTRA)Long-range artillery rocket  Israel150 km range[20]
LORA Theater quasiballistic missile  Israel

Air defense

NameImageTypeNumber in service[16]OriginNotes
MIM-104 Patriot
Surface-to-air missileN/A  United Stateswas upgraded to the GM+ "Yahalom" standard
Iron Dome Air defense missile battery/Anti-rockets missile9+  IsraelIntercepted hundreds of artillery records since declared operational in 2011.
David's Sling
Medium- to long-range anti-ballistic missile/surface-to-air missileN/A  IsraelMedium- to long-range anti-ballistic missile with surface-to-air missile capability
Arrow
Anti-ballistic missileN/A  IsraelOut of the atmosphere anti-ballistic missile missile series

Air forces equipment

Note there are multiple sources and these provide different figures:
AircraftOriginTypeVersions
In Service
By INSSBy FlightGlobalBy IISS
Fighter aircraft
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II  United StatesStealth multirole fighterF-35I "Adir"975[21]75[22]
Boeing F-15 Eagle  United StatesAir superiority fighterF-15A "Baz" 52[23] 42[24]16[25]
F-15C "Baz"17[25]
F-15B "Baz" 16[24]6[25]
F-15D "Baz"11[25]
Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle  United StatesStrike fighterF-15I "Ra'am"25[23]25[24]25[25]
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon  United StatesMultirole fighterF-16A "Netz" 107[23] 63[24][26]77[25]
F-16B "Netz"16[25]
F-16C "Barak" 136[23]77[24][26]78[25]
F-16D "Barak"49[24][26]49[25]
F-16I "Sufa"100[23]99[24]99[25]
Trainer aircraft
Grob G-120  GermanyTrainer aircraftG-120AI "Snunit"27[23]16[21]17[25]
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II  United StatesTrainer aircraftT-6A "Efroni"19[23]20[24]20[25]
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master  ItalyTransonic jet trainerM-346 "Lavi"30[21]
Transport/Aerial refueling/Aerial firefighting/Utility/Signals intelligence/Maritime patrol/Airborne early warning (AEW)
Air Tractor AT-802  United StatesAerial firefightingAT-802F8[23]7[24]3[25]
Beechcraft Bonanza  United StatesUtilityA-36 "Khofit"22[23]22[25]
Beechcraft Super King Air (C-12 Huron)  United StatesUtility/Transport/TrainerB-200/T/CT "Tzofit" 29[23] 22[21]22[25]
EW / ELINT / SIGINTRC-12D/K "Kookiya"6[25]
IAI SeaScan  IsraelMaritime patrol1124N "Shahaf"3[23]3[24]3[25]
Gulfstream G550  United StatesSEMAG500 "Nahshon-Shavit"3[23]3[24]3[25]
CAEWG550 "Nahshon-Eitam"2[23]2[24]2[25]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules  United StatesTactical transportC-130E "Qarnaf" 12[23] 3[21]5[25]
C-130H "Qarnaf"6[25]
Aerial refuelingKC-130H "Qarnaf"3[23]7[21]4[25]
Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules  United StatesTactical transportC-130J "Shimshon"-7[21]-
Boeing 707  United StatesHeavy transport/EW707 "Re'em"8[23]7[21]3[25]
Aerial refuelingKC-707 "Saknai"5[23]8[21]7[25]
Helicopters
Eurocopter Panther  FranceMaritime patrolAS-565SA "Atalef"5[23]4[21]7[25]
Boeing AH-64 Apache  United StatesAttack helicopterAH-64A "Peten"30[23]26[27]27[25]
AH-64D "Saraph"17[23]22[27]17[25]
Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion  United StatesHeavy transportCH-53 "Yas'ur 2000" 37[23]18[28] 26[25]
CH-53 "Yas'ur 2025"5[28]
Sikorsky S-70 (UH-60 Black Hawk)  United StatesTactical transportS-70A / UH-60A/L "Yanshuf"49[23]50[21]49[25]
Bell 206 (OH-58 Kiowa)  United StatesLight transport/Trainer206B "Saifan"18[21]6[25]

Unmanned aerial vehicles

Weaponry

Naval forces equipment

Below are the IDF's active service watercraft. The year of service, speed, full load displacement, and crew members, are in parentheses.

Missile boats

Corvettes


Patrol boats

  • Dabur (1970s; 19 kn (35 km/h); 39 tons; 9 crew members)
  • Shaldag (1989; ?; 50 kn (93 km/h); 15 crew members)
  • Super Dvora Mk II (1996; 46 kn (85 km/h); 54 tons; 10 crew members)
  • Nachshol (1997; 40 kn (74 km/h); 12 tons; 5 crew members)
  • Super Dvora Mk III (2004; 47 kn (87 km/h); 54 tons; 10 crew members)

Support ships

  • INS Bat Yam
  • INS Bat Galim

Unmanned naval vehicles

Submarines

  • / Dolphin I (1992; 11 kn (20 km/h), 20 kn (37 km/h) underwater; 1,640 tons, 1,900 tons underwater; 30 crew members)
  • / Dolphin II (2014; 13 kn (24 km/h), 25 kn (46 km/h) underwater; 2,050 tons, 2,400 tons underwater; 40 crew members)

Commando boats

  • Dolphin type underwater craft
  • Maiale type underwater craft
  • Snunit boat
  • Zaharon boat
  • Moulit boat
  • Morena rigid-hull inflatable boat

Remote weapon systems

Space systems

See also

References

Sources