Malanpur. The first batch of 2,000 Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a global leader in small arms manufacturing, NEGEV 7.62×51 light machine guns (LMG) will be delivered to India on March 28. The delivery will be carried by PLR Systems, the joint venture between IWI and Adani Defence and the first private company in India to manufacture small arms and ammunition. This marks the first shipment under a larger contract for 41,000 units, with an additional 4,000 scheduled for delivery this year.
The milestone follows the successful completion of the technology transfer process under India’s “Make in India” initiative and reflects IWI’s commitment to delivering advanced systems in accordance with contractual schedules and the highest quality standards, while supporting India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The NEGEV 7.62×51, one of the lightest 7.62mm light machine guns in its class with a semi-automatic mode, epitomises IWI’s engineering excellence. Extensively deployed by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), it delivers robust performance and exceptional reliability in harsh operational environments, ensuring superior target acquisition and precision. Its lightweight design, combined with powerful 7.62mm ammunition capable of penetrating fortified cover, makes it especially effective in urban combat environments and a premier choice for critical missions by military forces worldwide.
The NEGEV 7.62×51 offers dual modes – semi-automatic for close-quarter battle (CQB) and fully automatic for maximum suppressive fire – and supports helicopter, vehicle and naval mounts for versatile operations. Equipped with Picatinny rails and tritium night sights, it ensures superior targeting in low-light conditions, while compliance with NATO standards guarantees durability and reliable performance in harsh environments.
The NEGEV is compatible with IWI’s ARBEL computerised weapon system, which enhances operator lethality and survivability by enabling precise engagement of threats within short windows of opportunity, even under stress and fatigue.
“Delivering the first batch of these NEGEVs to India demonstrates our ability to provide cutting-edge, combat-proven solutions on a global scale,” said Shuki Schwartz, CEO of IWI and Board Member of PLR Systems. “This programme combines our world-class engineering with local production under Make in India, ensuring that our most advanced technologies are deployed efficiently and reliably. It reflects our commitment to setting the standard in modern light machine guns and to supporting strategic defence partnerships worldwide.
In addition to the NEGEV programme, PLR Systems has been awarded a contract to supply 170,000 IWI CQB carbines to India, with the first 18,000 units scheduled for delivery this year, further strengthening the ongoing defence partnerships between India and Israel.
IWI (Israel Weapon Industries), part of the SK Group, is the main supplier to the Israeli Army and Israeli Police, with combat-proven products used by military, law enforcement and special forces in over 60 countries across diverse operational environments.
Renowned for developing the iconic UZI, IWI continues to set benchmarks in firearm innovation and reliability, developing advanced systems like the ARAD, the NEGEV light machine gun, and the TAVOR.
