The Fábrica de Armas y Municiones del Ejército S.A.C. (FAME SAC) has recently defended its decision to select the ARAD 7, 7.62×51 mm assault rifle for the Peruvian Army. This stance follows criticisms from local media and members of the Peruvian Congress, who convened a session of the National Defense and Interior Order Commission to question Defense Minister Jorge Chávez Cresta about the details of this transaction.
For over 13 years, the Peruvian Army has sought to acquire new rifles. This process has been marked by local testing and multiple complaints from bidders about the logic of these tests. A rifle from a Peruvian company reportedly passed these tests but did not secure a contract. In the meantime, the army made partial acquisitions of the SCAR 5.56×45 mm rifle from FN Herstal, totaling nearly 2,900 units.
FAME SAC announced at Sitdef 2023 its partnership with Israel Weapons Industries (IWI), known for the quality of its products. The Peruvian Army, initially interested in the Galil ACE, ultimately chose the ARAD 7.62×51 mm, planning to acquire 10,000 assault rifles.
Concerns have been raised about the logistical sustainability of the project due to the current situation in Israel and the conflict with Hamas. Additionally, unofficial sources close to the Peruvian Army indicate that the recoil of the ARAD 7 could pose problems in automatic fire mode.
FAME responded to the criticisms by stating that the selection process of the ARAD 7 rifle complied with Law No. 31684 and other regulations related to the modernization of the armed forces, aiming to promote the self-sufficiency of the armed institutes. The procurement of products from FAME, which is the army’s arsenal, is compared to similar practices within the Peruvian Navy and Air Force.