Documents
Israel IWI
Desert Eagle
A gas-operated, rotating-bolt semi-automatic pistol chambered for powerful magnum revolver cartridges, originally designed in the U.S. and produced under license by Israel Military Industries. Its large frame and distinctive silhouette made it a cultural icon far beyond its niche military and law-enforcement use.
In service since 1983 · 5 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
60
m range
436
m/s
7
rds
💲 ≈ $2,000, Approximate retail price
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Established · 5 operators
In service since 1983. Status: active · ~300,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
Unit cost known; one-shot / small-arms class has no meaningful O&S tail to model.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 60 m |
|---|---|
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 436 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | .50 Action Express |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 12.7 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 7 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.27 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 2 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 1 |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 152 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper. | $2,000 |
|---|---|
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 300,000 |
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 5 |
Specifications compiled from public IWI and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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USP Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the IWI Desert Eagle require? +
The IWI Desert Eagle requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the IWI Desert Eagle? +
The IWI Desert Eagle's primary weapon is the .50 Action Express.
What is the IWI Desert Eagle used for? +
The IWI Desert Eagle is a pistol & sidearm typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the IWI Desert Eagle? +
The IWI Desert Eagle is operated by 5 countries.
How much does the IWI Desert Eagle cost? +
The IWI Desert Eagle has an approximate unit cost of 2,000 USD. Defense pricing varies by contract, offsets and configuration, treat this as directional.
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