IDF: GOODBYE M-16, HELLO TAR-21

Israel’s armed forces switch from American M-16s to Israeli-made bullpup assault rifles

Bullpups are especially handy in close quarters like troop-carrying helicopters and in door-to-door urban combat.

From Wikipedia:

The TAR-21 (or simply Tavor) is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system, selecting between semi-automatic mode and full automatic fire mode. It is named after Mount Tabor, while "TAR-21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle – 21st Century". Since 2009, it has been selected as the standard issued weapon of the Israeli infantry. The MTAR-21 (Micro Tavor) was recently selected as the future assault rifle of the Israeli Defense Forces, and some infantry division are being issued with the rifle, replacing the bigger and standard TAR-21.

The TAR-21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the British SA80, French FAMAS, Austrian Steyr AUG, and the Chinese Norinco QBZ-95. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. The TAR-21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare.

ISRAEL BIDS FAREWELL TO THE M-16

Israel Today
December 16, 2012

For decades the American-made M-16 assault rifle has been the personal weapon of choice in the Israeli army. But that is coming to an end as more and more units look to outfit their soldiers with Israeli-made weapons.

In the early 2000s, Israel first introduced the homegrown Tavor rifle into service with select active infantry units. Over the past 10 years, more and more active units have taken up the Tavor to the point that the aging M-16 is largely seen as the weapon of reserve soldiers.

Israel's Ma'ariv newspaper reports that the army now wants to complete the transition and bid a final farewell to the M-16.

This is not the first time Israel has tried to equip its soldiers with locally-made weapons.

Many years ago, Israel designed an assault rifle based on the regionally-popular Russian-made AK-47. The Galil assault rifle is still used by some armored units due to its ability to fold, but was long ago removed from widespread service in favor of the M-16.