How Advanced Combat Equipment is Redefining Israel’s Border Police

Since the harrowing events of October 7th, Officer A., a seasoned Israel Border Police (MAGAV) officer, hasn’t had a moment’s rest. The early days of the war were marked by intense, sleepless operations focused on defending Israels border communities and rescuing civilians. The scale and intensity of the conflict quickly exposed the need for upgraded combat gear. The response was swift: lightweight bulletproof vests, advanced night vision optics, a replenished ammunition supply, and significantly upgraded weaponry—most of which remains classified.

Officer A., a veteran in MAGAV, considers the unit his second home. In the aftermath of October 7th, the number of volunteers surged to unprecedented levels. New combat teams were formed, and additional training courses were launched to support the growing manpower. “We were surprised by how many people wanted to join and how motivated the new recruits were,” he recalls. “During their training, they were equipped with top-tier gear—far beyond what we had in the past. This helped us operate much more effectively against the threats we’ve been facing since the war began.”

MAGAV is a versatile special border police force that works closely with both the Israel Police and the IDF, operating in high-risk friction zones like Judea and Samaria, the Gaza envelope, and other volatile regions. The unit includes elite sub-units such as Yamam (Israeli National counter-terrorism Unit), Yamas (undercover Police Unit), bomb disposal Team, and more. Operators undergo extensive, specialized training to prepare for highly complex operational environments.

On the 7th of October, Israel faced an unprecedented security crisis, placing all its borders on high alert. The demand for accurate, reliable rifles became critical—not only for security forces but also for civilian emergency Quick Response Force (QRF). Thousands of IWI ARAD rifles were rapidly delivered to security teams in northern communities near the border, in the Gaza envelope, in the south, to law enforcement units, and to Elite Combat Teams. Officer A.’s Unit also received the upgraded weapon.

The ARAD quickly proved to be a key asset in both combat and defense operations. Known for its precision, ease of use, and high reliability, the rifle performed flawlessly under pressure. Three years ago, the ARAD won the Yamam tender to replace their service weapon, after passing the unit’s rigorous and demanding tests.

“Our operational success started to reflect the advantage of our upgraded gear,” says Officer A. “Our ability to detect threats day and night improved dramatically. Accuracy increased, and coordination between units became much more effective. The ARAD rifle turned out to be exceptionally accurate and reliable, especially when paired with advanced optics. We used to joke about how the new guys got all the fancy upgraded gear while we, the veterans, were expected to ‘make it work’ with the older equipment…”

Tactical Adaptability: From Patrols to Harsh Terrain

In the midst of the Iron Swords War, the ARAD firmly established its place as a mission-critical firearm capable of altering the battlefield dynamics. This personal weapon is used in some of the most clandestine operations thanks to its adaptability to harsh and unpredictable environments—an essential quality for elite unit missions.

“Our ability to overcome challenges—like identifying and neutralizing hidden or small enemy targets—comes down to the ARAD’s precision,” says Officer A. “We’re talking MOA (Minute Of Angle), even sub-MOA accuracy.”

“The ARAD proves itself time and again,” adds another fighter. “It gives us peace of mind. We can count on it—zero malfunctions, outstanding precision, and it performs in any weather or terrain, using a wide range of ammunition types. During one mission, we fired over 800 rounds from the rifle without a single stoppage. Over 30 magazines, in the extreme environmental conditions of Gaza—dust, sand, powder, debris—and it just kept going.”

Designed for the Demands of Modern Combat

Developed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), part of the SK Group founded by Samy Katsav, the ARAD was built in collaboration with special forces units to meet their exact operational needs. It’s a multi-caliber, highly modular rifle with quick barrel and caliber conversion—an essential feature for dynamic missions. Designed for high-intensity warfare, it utilizes a gas piston system for maximum reliability in all terrains and weather conditions.

The ARAD is packed with features that give soldiers a critical edge: a hammer-forged, high-durability barrel; two-stage trigger for precision and robustness; and dual ejectors for reliable performance in any setting. Its ambidextrous controls support both right- and left-handed operators. In fact, in real combat scenarios, injured fighters have been able to continue operating their ARAD rifles with their non-dominant hand mid-mission.

“The ARAD consistently proves itself as one of the most advanced and effective rifles on today’s battlefield—whether in open terrain, urban settings, or even underground operations,” says Ronen Hamudot, Executive VP of Marketing and Sales at IWI and the SK Group. “Its modularity, accuracy, and durability provide our fighters with a critical advantage. The ability to dynamically adapt the weapon to specific mission requirements, without compromising reliability, places the ARAD at the forefront of Israel’s frontline defense.”

With variants in 5.56 and 7.62 calibers, the ARAD ranks among the world’s leading assault rifles in both accuracy and resilience. Constructed from premium materials and integrating cutting-edge technologies, it features a perfectly aligned upper and lower receiver that maintains optic zeroing. The continuous Picatinny top rail allows for easy mounting of optics and accessories—making the ARAD an extremely effective and deadly weapon of choice.

“We trust the ARAD,” Officer A. concludes. “We waited a long time for a personal weapon like this. I’m confident that even when every other rifle on the battlefield fails for one reason or another—my ARAD will keep firing.”

**In collaboration with IWI