IWI Tavor
The IWI Tavor, previously designated as the Tavor TAR-21 (Tavor Assault Rifle – 21st century), is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). It is part of the Tavor family of rifles, which have spawned many derivatives of the original design.
| IWI Tavor TAR-21 | |
|---|---|
Tavor TAR-21 with MARS sight in the Israel Defense Forces History Museum | |
| Type | Bullpup assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2001–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | South Thailand insurgency Gaza–Israel conflict Gaza War (2008–2009) Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war Colombian conflict Russo-Ukrainian War Russian invasion of Ukraine 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries |
| Designed | 1995–2003 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Weapon Industries Also produced under IWI license by:
|
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.27 kg (7.21 lb) |
| Length | 720 mm (28.3 in) |
| Barrel length | 457 mm (18 in) (Tavor TAR) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Action | Long-stroke gas-operated, closed rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 750–950 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 910 m/s (2,986 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 550 m |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box STANAG magazine (5.56×45mm NATO) |
| Sights | Backup iron sights and integrated Picatinny rails are provided for the Meprolight MP 21, ITL MARS with integrated laser and IR pointer, Trijicon ACOG, EOTech holographic sight and other optical sights |
The Tavor TAR-21 can also be mounted with the M203 grenade launcher, designated as the GTAR-21. A compact variant with a 380 mm (15 in) barrel is also available, designated as the CTAR-21. A designated marksman rifle variant with a folding under-barrel bipod and Trijicon ACOG 4× magnification sight was also made but later phased out in favour for the Tavor TAR Flattop.
Built around a long-stroke piston system (as found in the M1 Garand and AK-47), the Tavor is designed to maximise reliability, durability, simplicity of design, and ease of maintenance, particularly under adverse battlefield conditions.
In 2009, the Tavor X95 (also known as the Micro Tavor or MTAR) was selected by the Israel Defense Forces to gradually replace the M16 assault rifle and M4 carbine variants as the standard-issued weapon of the Israeli infantry by the end of 2018. The first X95 bullpup rifles were issued to infantry units in 2013. A report published on the IDF's website revealed the IDF plans to continue acquiring the Micro Tavor and equipping combat units with it.