On September 9, 2024, the Argentine Ministry of Defense, under the leadership of Luis Petri, sent a delegation to Israel to explore the possibility of acquiring ARAD 7 assault rifles from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). These rifles are intended to replace the aging FAL rifles currently in service with the Argentine Armed Forces. The delegation, composed of officers from the Navy and Air Force, embarked on a nine-day mission starting on August 30 to assess the performance of the ARAD rifles and explore local production options in Argentina under license.
According to internal sources, the potential agreement with Israel for local manufacturing of ARAD rifles will depend on the volume of arms Argentina intends to purchase. This agreement may include technology transfer, benefiting Argentina’s military industry. However, current budget constraints may limit the full replacement of FAL rifles in the short term. The Argentine military is evaluating two main versions of the ARAD rifle: the ARAD 5, designed based on the AR-15 platform and capable of firing 5.56x45mm or .300 BLK rounds, and the ARAD 7, which uses 7.62mm ammunition and is designed for more precise, semi-automatic operations.
It is worth noting that Peru is already a regional user of the ARAD 7, having incorporated the rifle into its arsenal through a local production agreement with FAME S.A.C. During Peru’s Independence Day parade in July, more than 10,000 units were showcased, reflecting the modernization of Peru’s infantry.
In Argentina, the ARAD 7 is one of several options being considered as part of a larger project to modernize military equipment. Several international companies are in talks with Fabricaciones Militares to propose local co-manufacturing solutions aimed at renewing the Argentine Armed Forces’ arsenal.