IWI Negev

The Negev started development in 1985 by Israel Military Industries (now Israel Weapon Industries) to replace the then in service Galil ARM. The Negev entered service with the IDF in 1997, after extensive testing conducted by the IDF Ordnance Corps. The Negev is named after the Negev Desert in southern Israel. ==Design details==

The Negev is a gas-operated, air-cooled, open bolt, select-fire, light machine gun (LMG) with a rotating bolt. The Negev uses a long-stroke gas piston system that runs under the barrel and is connected directly to the bolt carrier, the gas system comes with a three position gas regulator for use with different feed types and conditions. The design was made to be reliable, especially in adverse conditions. It was officially adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in 1997. Barrel The Negev has a quick-change chrome-lined cold hammer forged barrel. The barrel is fitted with a slotted flash suppressor and a folding ambidextrous carry handle, which is used to carry the weapon and remove the barrel of the Negev. During the weapon's initial development a barrel with a (1:12 in) rifling twist rate was also planned, adapted for the lightweight M193 cartridge. Additionally, a multifunction muzzle device was designed, used to launch rifle grenades. Sights and hardware Sights The Negev's iron sights (closed-type) consist of a front post (adjustable for both windage and elevation) and a rear aperture sight with an elevation adjustment drum, with 300 to 1,000 m range settings in 100 m increments. The sight line radius is . The classic Negev did not possess the modern standardized Picatinny rail, and instead came with a welded adapter for an optical sight. The newer NG-5 and NG-7 have a standard picatinny rail, and in Israel are usually fitted with an optical scope similar to the standard scopes of Israeli assault rifles. Stock The full size Negev and Negev SF was originally manufactured with a metal-tube, fixed-length, folding (right) stock. This classic tube skeleton stock was a modified stock from the Galil rifle. The design of the Negev's recoil springs and non-reciprocating handle, allow the Negev to fire with the skeleton stock folded; however during reload the bolt cannot be actuated with the stock folded. The Negev NG-5 came fitted with an adjustable length folding stock, that folds to the opposite direction to allow complete operation of the gun with the stock folded, with cheek well adjustment, allowing for easier fitting. The classic Negev could be fitted with mounting hardware on the handguard to allow users to mount a laser pointer. In late 2024, Vietnam revealed a local Negev variant, designated as the STrL-7,62VN (), being the first product utilizing the Negev platform but chambered in 7.62×39mm. Likely becoming the country's next standard-issued light machine gun succeeding the obsoleted RPD machine guns, STrL-7,62VN is compatible to both AK/STV/RPK's magazines and RPD's 100-round non-disintegrating belt, using a soft belt box instead of RPD's heavy metal drum container. == Variants ==

• Negev (1997–2012) – Released in 1997. It has a barrel length of 460 mm (18.11 inches) and can be fired either in semi or fully automatic. The pre-NG Negev came with a folding, fixed length skeleton stock, that is still available. • Negev NG-7 SF (2012–present) – A compact variant of the Negev NG-7. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with a side grip (Negev assault grip). Product of Z111 Factory. • Modular AI-controlled Negev NG-7 – Indian derivative developed by BSS Materiel Limited. Testing phase underway. The gun is capable of automatic target detection, friend-foe classification, and real-time engagement. The weapon system HAS demonstrated autonomous target acquisition in challenging mountain environments with accuracy at and can identify and track targets up to . The AI is designed for perimeter security, convoy protection and military base defense. It features an encrypted remote command link compatibility with ballistic adjustment to compensate wind, range and temperature, and a combination of thermal and optical sensors for precision targeting. Deployment options include static installations, on unmanned ground vehicles, tripods, and RCWS in armoured vehicles and naval platforms. The system has independent endurance of 21 days in a bunker. • The initial tests were conducted in Roorkee on April 5, followed by the high-altitude trials conducted at . Further tests were conducted between 1 and 8 June 2025 by the Indian Army. ==Users==

• : Used by the Argentine Federal Police. • • : Used by Military Police of São Paulo State, Military Police of Amazonas State • : Used by Rapid Intervention Brigade • • : Used by Presidential Guard units in 2010 • • Since May 2010, standard issue light machine gun of the GAF. Heavily used by Georgian units in Afghanistan. • : 5.56 variant serving as standard issue LMG for Special Forces from earlier. • A case to procure light machine guns through Fast Track Procurement was initiated in March 2019 following failure to induct the same in a previous tender. An order for 16,479 NG-7 guns was placed in March 2020 at a cost of to replace all the INSAS LMG present with the Indian Army. The first 6,000 were delivered in late January 2021 • PLR Systems received a contract to supply another 41,000 under a project to acquire 7.62x51 mm LMGs. The guns are being produced by the Small Arms Complex near Gwalior as Prahar, modified to meet the requirements of the Indian Army. Prahar will replace the in-service INSAS LMG which is the standard automatic weapon. The gun has an indigenous content of 50% which will be ultimately increased to 100%. The original timeline of delivery was nine years from 2024 but the order is expected to be executed by 2029. • 2026: 2,000 guns were supplied from the Small Arms Complex on 28 March, eleven months ahead of schedule, with another 4,000 units to be supplied the same year. and the Negev NG-7 was adopted in 2012. During the Gaza war, Israeli infantry brigades started transitioning to the NG-7 model. • : • : Mexican Federal Police • : Police Special Forces • : Paraguayan Army. • : Philippine National Police Maritime Group. Philippine Coast Guard • : Used by special forces and commandos • • : In service with Naval Infantry. ==See also==