The Israel Police counterterrorism is slated to receive new weapons that will significantly upgrade its operational abilities.
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The National Counterterrorism Unit, known by the Hebrew acronym YAMAM, and its counterpart in the Border Police will swap their existing weapons for the Arad Rifle, courtesy of Israel Weapons Industries, formerly the Magen division of the Israel Military Industries.
After six years of deliberation within the police force over which unit would receive weapons from which manufacturer, the contract flip flops the status quo of arms upgrades across the country's police forces.
A request in 2018 for 8,000 new rifles was the most recent appeal but was canceled at the last moment.
As a modernized variant of the semi-automatic AR-15 Rifle, the Arad Rifle can chamber either 5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout ammunition for increased short-range stopping power.
NATO 5.56 rounds produce increased velocity and therefore better performance at long-range, while Blackout rounds provide more versatility and punch for shorter-range engagements.
According to i24NEWS, the contract is still early and is apparently only for a few dozen rifles out of the thousands needed.
However, it represents that a candidate has finally been chosen and that the Israeli police want to use a local manufacturer.
Israel's counterterrorism unit was established in late-1974 after the Ma'alot massacre, where a failed rescue operation resulted in the murder of 25 hostages.
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The unit is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas.
Besides military and counterterrorism duties, it also performs Special Weapons and Tactics duties and undercover police work.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
