Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a member of the SK Group, has introduced the next-generation ARBEL system.
As noted by the company, designed for military, law enforcement, and governmental agencies, the ARBEL system represents a major advancement in infantry combat, offering precision-guided suppression fire and rifle-based counter-drone capabilities.
Building upon its groundbreaking 2024 predecessor, the enhanced ARBEL system significantly improves operator lethality, accuracy, and survivability by up to three times in combat scenarios. The system is particularly effective in situations where adversaries appear only briefly, typically for about three seconds, and where operator fatigue and exertion impact performance.
The ARBEL system is available in two primary configurations: the ARBEL-NEGEV for the IWI NEGEV Light Machine Gun (LMG) and the ARBEL-ARAD for standard infantry rifles.
The ARBEL-NEGEV enhances the NEGEV LMG with an advanced trigger system that preserves full-auto functionality while introducing an ARBEL-assisted burst mode. This feature improves ammunition conservation during prolonged engagements, a critical requirement in sustained firefights. The addition of this technology adds only 900 grams to the weapon’s grip, maintaining its maneuverability and combat effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the ARBEL-ARAD, designed for IWI ARAD rifles and any AR-15 platform chambered in 5.56mm, provides an unprecedented capability for counter-drone warfare. With a simple replacement of the lower receiver, the ARBEL-ARAD allows operators to engage aerial threats using the same rifle and optics they are trained on, minimizing additional training requirements. The system is capable of engaging targets at distances of up to 450 meters, with no additional equipment needed for effective drone interception.
According to Ronen Hamudot, Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales at IWI, “The enhanced ARBEL system not only improves the frontline soldier’s ability to neutralize aerial threats using their personal weapon, but also significantly enhances the precision and lethality of our NEGEV Light Machine Gun. The ARBEL-ARAD system delivers groundbreaking capability in counter-drone warfare, enabling real-time engagement with aerial threats with exceptional precision.”
The system has undergone extensive operational evaluation and field testing, proving its effectiveness across diverse combat scenarios. Designed for seamless integration, ARBEL maintains full firearm functionality even if the battery is depleted and offers up to 50 hours of continuous operation with the safety engaged.
The ARBEL system meets the highest military standards, including MIL-STD-810, ensuring reliability under harsh environmental conditions. It is optic-agnostic and supports multiple mission configurations, making it a versatile tool for military forces worldwide.
IWI will showcase the ARBEL system at the upcoming IDEX and Enforce-Tac defense exhibitions, along with various ARAD rifle models in 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers. Additionally, the company will unveil a new lightweight NEGEV variant, the NEGEV-7 ULMG (Ultra Light Machine Gun), further expanding its portfolio of advanced infantry weapons.