When the M4 came along, this weapon (with its short length and light weight) became even more attractive, along with the M4's versatility in using different optics without losing zeroing when the weapon was disassembled, plus other rail-mounted accessories. In general, Israeli troops preferred the M16, because it was lighter and more accurate, if not quite as rugged and reliable. The cost of producing the Galil for all IDF forces was very expensive, and Israel continued to purchase M16s and later M4s with military credit from the US, which had replaced many Galils then in service. Military Aid Program (MAP) began to arrive in Israel that were quickly integrated into IDF service. Issued to vehicle crews, army staff and specialty troops.Īlthough the Galil was the official service rifle of Israel from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, it was never the principal rifle used (in terms of numbers). The Short Automatic Rifle (SAR) with shortened barrel.Issued to support troops and military police units. The Automatic Rifle (AR) with no bi-pod, wire-cutter or carrying handle.Also the version that famously features a bottle opener in the front hand-guard. The Automatic Rifle Machine-gun (ARM) with bi-pod, wire-cutter and carrying handle would become the standard service rifle issued to front line infantry troops.The Israeli army first used the 5.56×45mm NATO caliber Galil in three basic configurations: However, issuance of the Galil was delayed by the sudden onset of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Tests conducted from the end of the 1960s to the early 1970s led to Galili's rifle emerging as the winner. Hence, Galil's rifle was chambered for the US 5.56×45mm round (originally the US M193 55-grain version). (The first Galils were manufactured with Valmet Rk 62 receivers.) At the time, the US was replacing European countries (especially France) as Israel's main partner and weapons supplier. The successful design was offered by Yisrael Galil, based on the 7.62×39mm Valmet Rk 62, an AK-47 derivative from Finland. An indigenous design was offered by Uziel Gal, creator of the Uzi submachine gun. These included the M16A1 and Stoner 63 from the USA, and the HK33 ( West Germany). Several weapons were tendered to the Israeli Army, in response to its specifications for a standard-issue assault rifle. The would-be standard weapon was originally nicknamed the "Balashnikov". Hence the IDF specifically sought a weapon that would offer the same benefits as AK-47, such as low maintenance requirements, but would also have the accuracy of the M16 and FN FAL. When the IDF began the process of procuring a new, automatic rifle, the AK-47 was considered, but the difficulty of procurement limited its viability. The required maintenance was low enough that conscripted troops had less stringent regulations on the weapon's care. This rifle was proven reliable and controllable. Ĭomparison of the Hungarian AMD-65 (top), the American M16A1 (middle) and the Israeli Galil ARM (bottom)ĭuring the Six-Day War the Israelis captured thousands of primarily Egyptian AK-47's. Its length and malfunctions became such consistent issues that during the 1973 Yom Kippur War some soldiers began arming themselves with the much smaller Uzi. Overall, however, the FN FAL was considered long and bulky. The FAL had its limitations, a common complaint being that the abundant local sand and dust exposure would cause weapon malfunction (later attributed to lack of stringent maintenance). The Belgian FN FAL battle rifle had initially been adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces in the late 1950s (chambered for the 7.62×51mm cartridge). A modern version of the Galil currently in production in multiple calibers is known as the Galil ACE. The Israeli Army initially deployed the 5.56×45mm NATO Galil in three basic configurations the Automatic Rifle Machine-gun (ARM), the Automatic Rifle (AR), and the Short Automatic Rifle (SAR). The Galil family of weapons is used by both military and police forces across 25 countries. Moreover, the Galil design is largely based on the Finnish rifle RK 62 (itself a derivative of the AK-47). The first Galil rifle was manufactured using RK 62 receivers. Originally designed by Yisrael Galili and Yakov Lior in the late 1960s, the Galil was first produced by the state-owned Israel Military Industries and is now exported by the privatized Israel Weapon Industries. The IMI Galil ( Hebrew: גליל) is a family of Israeli-made automatic rifles chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO cartridges. 30 Carbine: 15 or 30-round box magazine from the M1 Carbine, and or 27-round box magazine (Magal Variant)įlip-up rear aperture with protective ears, flip-up tritium night sights, hooded front post 7.62×51mm NATO: 25-round proprietary box magazine.5.56×45mm NATO: 35-, 50-, or 65-round detachable box magazine, or 30-round STANAG magazine.
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