ARAD rifles and Israeli ammunition will arrive to renew the Army's weapons after more than 60 years.
In this context, the IWI ARAD rifles — in their 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm caliber versions — will gradually begin to replace the traditional FN FAL rifles, which have been in service for more than six decades. This spare part not only responds to a technological question, but also to the need to adapt the equipment to current combat standards and to new operational requirements
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that in the coming months the first batches of ARAD rifles and ammunition from Israel will arrive in the country, as part of a process aimed at modernizing the individual equipment of the Argentine Army. The measure is part of a broader re-equipment strategy that seeks to upgrade operational capabilities and leave behind systems that have been in service for decades
.The announcement was made by the Secretary of International Affairs for Defense, retired Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Enrique Martella, during an exhibition at the National Defense University (UNDEF). In his speech, entitled “Argentine Defense in the international security agenda”, the official detailed advances in military acquisitions and in the country's inclusion in the global stage, including his participation in the Munich
Security Conference 2026.
As Martella explained, there are currently between two and three late-stage purchasing processes linked to the incorporation of Israeli rifles and ammunition. If implemented, these efforts will allow the first deliveries to materialize in the short term, marking a turning point in the Army's re-equipment policy
.However, the official also acknowledged that the process was not without difficulties. Among the main obstacles, he mentioned differences in administrative and regulatory procedures, as well as economic constraints. In particular, he noted that while international suppliers often require advance payments to secure contracts, in Argentina the practice of cancelling on delivery prevails, which creates tensions in the negotiation
Developed by Israel Weapon Industries, ARADs stand out for their modular design and versatility, allowing them to be configured according to different tactical scenarios. This characteristic positions them as a modern option in the international market, in line with the trends adopted by other armed forces in the region
.
The incorporation of these systems also reinforces the bilateral relationship between Argentina and Israel in terms of defense, a link that in recent years has gained dynamism in key areas. In turn, recent records in countries such as Peru, which have already advanced with the adoption of these rifles, consolidate ARAD as a proven alternative for the
renewal of individual weapons.With this step, the Government seeks to begin to reverse years of backwardness in military equipment, in a context where the modernization of the armed forces is once again occupying an important place within the national strategic agenda.
