IDF Places Order for 20,000 Locally Manufactured M4 Rifles

By Yoni Weiss

In response to Canada’s arms embargo on Israel following criticism of the Gaza war, the Defense Ministry has initiated a tender for the acquisition of domestically produced firearms: 20,000 M4A1 rifles, part of the M16 family, with the possibility of procuring an additional 20,000 units, Yediot reported Thursday.

This tender marks a significant departure as it mandates that 51% of the rifle components must be locally manufactured, with assembly to be carried out domestically. Historically, the IDF has acquired M16 rifles from the United States using aid funds. Each unit is estimated to cost between 4,000 to 5,000 shekels, with pricing playing a crucial role in determining the winning bid.

Israeli-made weapons have traditionally incorporated parts imported from abroad. However, the Defense Ministry has not previously imposed restrictions on the proportion of domestically sourced components. In this tender, the selected supplier must ensure that imported parts do not necessitate an export license from their country of origin, aiming to prevent supply disruptions akin to those experienced with countries like Canada.

An industry insider commented, “The IDF aims to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions due to external factors, in addition to fostering the growth of the local defense industry.”

Furthermore, bidders must demonstrate a track record of manufacturing firearms and supplying at least 1,000 rifles from the M16 family to recognized security entities. Three Israeli companies — EMTAN Karmiel, IWI, and Silver Shadow — meet these criteria.

The rifles offered in the tender will undergo rigorous testing and verification processes, with two winners eventually selected. Each supplier will be required to produce 2,500 rifles per month until the order is filled.

This procurement initiative follows a similar pattern to the Defense Ministry’s post-war strategy, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in critical military equipment manufacturing. Israel’s move toward independence in military production stems from challenges faced in procuring equipment internationally, exacerbated by the global arms race and heightened demand post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.