Tel Aviv: Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) has signed a ToT (Transfer of Technology and Knowledge) agreement with FAME, under which both companies will establish an assembling and production line in Peru for the ARAD family of assault rifles.
Under the terms of the agreement, IWI will provide FAME with technological knowledge regarding small arms assembly, advanced quality assurance and maintenance processes. In the future, the companies will also explore the possibility of expanding production to include additional weapons and relevant optical sights for the country’s defense and security forces.
“IWI is proud to have signed a cooperation agreement with FAME, which further strengthens its activities in Peru and in Latin America,” said Ronen Hamudot, Executive VP Marketing and Sales of the SK Group. “This is the first step in a cooperation that will generate employment opportunities in the country and is expected, over the next few years, to be expanded into the local production of IWI’s various small arms, as well as other SK Group solutions – like Meprolight’s day sights.”
“IWI is a world-leader company, with decades of proven experience in the development, production and marketing of small arms,” commented Leoncio Noriega, Commercial Director of FAME. “This signing aligns us with a partner that has rich experience and technological knowledge that it will share with FAME, as part of the agreement, promoting the Military Industry of Peru. We are sure (convinced) that the cooperation between the companies will be fruitful and long-lasting.”
According to IWI, The ARAD was designed to address the needs of Special Forces as well as the various infantry forces. It includes several advanced features that enable operational flexibility. Fully ambidextrous, the rifle consists of a short-stroke gas piston with a gas regulator in two or 3 positions, which allows constant operation in all environmental conditions. A two-step enhanced trigger ensures both comfort and shooting accuracy.
The lightweight ARAD, weighing only 2.85 kg, is available with barrel lengths of 292mm (11.5”) and 368mm (14.5”) and is also offered with barrel lengths of 419 mm (16.5″) and 508 mm (20″). The 300 BLK version comes with a 9.5 “barrel.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda