Elbit will Continue to Supply Small Caliber Ammunition to IDF

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Elbit Systems was awarded a contract by the Production and Procurement Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) valued at approximately $144 million (approximately NIS 500 million) for the supply of small-caliber ammunition to the Israeli Defense Forces. 

This five-year contract, work on which will commence in 2021, will be a continuation of the existing multi-year contract with the IMOD, according to the company’s announcement. 

The new round that combines the advantages of the 5.56 and 7.62 rounds has been developed by the small caliber ammunition division of Elbit Systems (formerly part of IMI acquired by Elbit), based on the combat experience of the IDF and operational requirements from international clients.

The IDF is considered by experts as a leading laboratory for many weapon systems, including round used by the combat soldier in his basic weapon, the assault rifle.

“There is no better place to assess the new operational requirements. The IDF has been fighting in all possible combat scenarios , including some that are unique to the asymmetric fighting that the world is experiencing ” an Israeli expert says.  

The standard 5.56 round is used in many types of assault rifles , while the 7.62 round is used by many types of light machine guns.

Army units have to carry both types of rounds because of their different advantages in various combat scenarios.