Major Deal for IWI: Signs NIS 50 M. Agreement with the Ministry of Defense

The Ministry of Defense and the IDF announced that 97 rapid response teams, battalions, and companies in communities along the northern border have been re-equipped. The cities and towns included in this phase are Nahariya, Kiryat Shmona, Ma'alot-Tarshiha, Metula, Shlomi, Hurfeish, Peki'in, Kfar Vradim, and others. All rapid response teams were outfitted with combat gear, rescue equipment, medical supplies, uniforms, and protective gear. This, as part of the “Mashiv Ha’ruach” program (Hebrew for “reviving the spirit”).

Phase 2 of the program has now begun, focusing on equipping rapid response teams in the Golan Heights. By the program's completion, approximately 120 rapid response teams in northern Israel are expected to receive upgraded equipment tailored to the operational needs of the conflict zone.

As part of this effort, the Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir, signed a procurement deal worth approximately NIS 50 million to purchase over 9,000 Arad rifles, an advanced assault weapon manufactured in Israel by IWI. These rifles will be used by rapid response teams across the country and will add to the approximately 5,000 Arad rifles procured since the beginning of the war.

Maj. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir addressed the initiative, stating: "Since the war began, and as part of the lessons learned, the Ministry of Defense has been working to strengthen the rapid response teams that fought bravely on October 7th. After re-equipping the communities surrounding Gaza, we are now completing the equipping of about 100 rapid response teams in the north with advanced weaponry, including Arad rifles made in Israel."

The “Mashiv Ha’ruach”  program, in cooperation with Northern Command, Home Front Command, the Ground Forces, and other security entities, aims to bolster the defense of frontline communities by equipping them with advanced weaponry and enhancing Israel’s defense production independence.