Amidst Chilean Boycott, Israeli Small Arms Shine at FIDAE 2024 Exhibition
The Special Operations Brigade of the Chilean Army presented Arad assault rifles in caliber 5.56x45 mm with 11.5'' barrels and 40mm GL 40 grenade launchers manufactured by the Israeli company IWI
Eyal Boguslavsky
| 30/04/2024
The Arad rifle. Photo: IWI
At the FIDAE 2024 exhibition held earlier this month in Santiago, the Chilean army showcased a variety of Israeli-made light weapons currently in its service. This exhibition takes on heightened significance against the backdrop of the announcement by the Chilean Ministry of Defense, which prohibited the participation of Israeli defense companies due to the "Iron Swords" war.
According to the Spanish site Info Defensa, the Lautaro BOE special operations brigade of the Chilean army presented Arad assault rifles manufactured by the Israeli company IWI, chambered in caliber 5.56x45 mm with an 11.5'' barrel, along with a 40 mm GL 40 grenade launcher also manufactured by IWI.
Furthermore, another variant of the Arad assault rifle with a 14.5" barrel equipped with a Mepro M5 red dot sight, manufactured by the Israeli company Meprolight, was also showcased.
This isn't the first time these weapons have been displayed. In September 2022, it was reported that these small arms were observed in the hands of the BOE Lautaro Special Operations Brigade during a military parade.
The Special Operations Brigade of the Chilean Army presented Arad assault rifles in caliber 5.56x45 mm with 11.5'' barrels and 40mm GL 40 grenade launchers manufactured by the Israeli company IWI
The Arad rifle. Photo: IWI
At the FIDAE 2024 exhibition held earlier this month in Santiago, the Chilean army showcased a variety of Israeli-made light weapons currently in its service. This exhibition takes on heightened significance against the backdrop of the announcement by the Chilean Ministry of Defense, which prohibited the participation of Israeli defense companies due to the "Iron Swords" war.
According to the Spanish site Info Defensa, the Lautaro BOE special operations brigade of the Chilean army presented Arad assault rifles manufactured by the Israeli company IWI, chambered in caliber 5.56x45 mm with an 11.5'' barrel, along with a 40 mm GL 40 grenade launcher also manufactured by IWI.
Furthermore, another variant of the Arad assault rifle with a 14.5" barrel equipped with a Mepro M5 red dot sight, manufactured by the Israeli company Meprolight, was also showcased.
This isn't the first time these weapons have been displayed. In September 2022, it was reported that these small arms were observed in the hands of the BOE Lautaro Special Operations Brigade during a military parade.
