In an era where drones have become ubiquitous on the battlefield, used for reconnaissance, targeted strikes, and psychological warfare, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is pushing their Arbel anti-drone system as the perfect tool to shoot them out of the sky.
Developed by IWI after close to a decade of design work, the cutting-edge fire control technology transforms standard infantry rifles into precision-guided interceptors, making the system deceptively simple yet profoundly effective.
Advanced tech, increased hit probability
Integrated directly into the AR-15 platform and IWI’s own ARAD assault rifles and Negev machine guns, Arbel allows soldiers to engage threats, including aerial threats, using their existing weapons, optics, and ammunition-with no additional gear required. Depending on the selected firing mode, hitting targets up to 450 meters away.
With electronic sensors and gyros, it simplifies the shooting cycle after the initial first shot and allows effective target engagement within a window of opportunity several seconds typical of real combat situations. According to IWI, it significantly improves efficiency and lethality by increasing hit probability for static and moving threats by 2-3 times.
Depending on the platform, the Arbel system can either be integrated into the lower receiver of the A-15 or as an external unit attached to the grip of the Negev. The system adds only 900 grams to the weapon and meets MIL-STD-810 military standards, ensuring reliability under extreme environmental conditions.
Battery-operated, Arbel’s power supply allows for 50 hours of continuous operation. It’s optic-agnostic, mission-configurable, and its built-in fire control system releases the rounds when the shooter is stable on the target according to the operational scenario. IWI told Defense & Tech that the system compensates and mitigates shooting errors typical of combative scenarios such as heavy breathing, fatigue, and stress.
“As far as you can see, aim and track the target, Arbel will work,” Semion, Director for Europe of IWI and SK Group, told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post. “Anyone who can shoot can use it. The system allows the soldier to stop thinking about firing. As long as you keep your finger on the trigger, the bullets will keep coming out.”
Anti-drone tech ready for Europe
According to Semion, Europe has changed dramatically since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In regions like Ukraine and the countries bordering Russia, where drone threats are escalating, Arbel offers a low-cost, high-impact solution. On Sunday night alone, Russia launched 500 drones into Ukraine, killing four people and damaging civilian infrastructure.
“Ukrainians have proved to the entire world how new technologies can be used on the battlefield,” he said, adding that “Eastern European and Baltic states think that they are next and they are getting ready for a hybrid war. They are looking for anti-drone systems.”
“We embedded a computer inside the rifle, making it a gamechanger,” Semion emphasized.
With Arbel, IWI is redefining what a rifle can do. It’s not just a firearm, it’s a smart weapon system capable of countering one of the most pressing threats in modern warfare. And as drone technology evolves, so too must the tools to defeat it.