Negev
Summary
| Country | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Light machine gun |
| Manufacturer | Israeli Military Industries |
Technical specifications
| Negev | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 700 - 1000 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 or 150-belt rounds |
| Length | 1020 mm (40.2 in) |
| Weight | 7.6 kg (16.8 lb) |
| Range | 450 m (1476 ft) |
Description
The IWI Negev is a 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun developed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). Development commenced in 1985 by Israel Military Industries (IMI), the predecessor to IWI, to replace the Galil ARM. Following testing by the IDF Ordnance Corps, the Negev was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 1997.
The Negev is a gas-operated, air-cooled, open bolt, select-fire light machine gun. It uses a rotating bolt and a long-stroke gas piston system located under the barrel. The gas system features a three-position regulator. The design emphasizes reliability, and it features a quick-change chrome-lined cold hammer forged barrel with a flash suppressor and a folding ambidextrous carry handle. The barrel has a 1:7 inch rifling twist rate. Iron sights consist of a windage and elevation adjustable front post and an elevation adjustable rear aperture sight with range settings from 300 to 1,000 meters. Tritium night sights are embedded for low-light conditions. Feed options include an M27 disintegrating belt, or 35-round Galil magazines or 30-round STANAG magazines with an adapter. A folding bipod is installed at the forward end of the handguard. Newer models have an adjustable folding stock.
Several variants of the Negev have been developed:
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The original Negev (1997-2012) with an 18.11-inch barrel
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The Negev SF (1997-2012), a compact version with a 12.99-inch barrel
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The current Negev (since 2012), formerly Negev NG-5, retains the standard barrel length
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The Negev SF (since 2012), formerly Negev NG-5 SF, uses a 13-inch barrel
The Negev NG-7 (since 2012) is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, with a 20-inch barrel and feeds only from belts. The NG-7 SF is its compact variant with a 16.5-inch barrel, while the NG-7 SF 13 has a 13-inch barrel. The Negev 7 ULMG (since 2023) is a lighter 7.62×51mm variant with a 16.5-inch barrel, convertible to 6.5mm Creedmoor. The Negev 7 ULMG SF is a compact ULMG variant with a 13-inch barrel. Additionally, Vietnamese copies exist: the STrL5.56 chambered in 5.56×45mm and the STrL-7,62VN chambered in 7.62×39mm.
The Negev entered service with the Israel Defense Forces in 1997, with the 7.62×51mm Negev NG-7 adopted by the IDF in 2012. During the Gaza war, Israeli infantry brigades reportedly transitioned to the NG-7 model. Georgian units have used the Negev extensively in Afghanistan since 2010. India placed an order for 16,479 NG-7s in March 2020 for the Indian Army, with deliveries in February 2021. Thailand purchased over 1,500 units in 2007 and 2008. Vietnam's Naval Infantry also uses the Negev.
The IWI Negev is in service with various military and law enforcement forces, including Azerbaijan, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Georgia, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mexico, North Macedonia, Paraguay, Philippines, Senegal, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, and Ukraine. It is the standard issue light machine gun for the Georgian Armed Forces and has been adopted by Indian Special Forces (5.56 variant) and the Indian Army (NG-7).