Documents
Israel IWI
Negev
A gas-operated light machine gun chambered in 5.56x45mm, developed to give infantry squads a lighter automatic-fire option than belt-fed medium machine guns. A larger 7.62x51mm variant, the Negev NG7, extends its effective range for designated-marksman-style suppression.
In service since 1997 · 15 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
800
m range
850
rpm
915
m/s
150
rds
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Israeli export-licensed
Israeli MoD (DECA/SIBAT) licensing; active export programme.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Widely fielded · 15 operators
In service since 1997. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
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. | 800 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 850 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 915 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 5.56x45mm belt/magazine-fed light machine gun |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 5.6 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 150 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 1.02 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 8 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. | 460 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 15 |
|---|
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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Tula Arms Plant AEK-971 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the IWI Negev require? +
The IWI Negev requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the IWI Negev? +
The IWI Negev's primary weapon is the 5.56x45mm belt/magazine-fed light machine gun.
What is the IWI Negev used for? +
The IWI Negev is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the IWI Negev? +
The IWI Negev is operated by 15 countries.
