In a significant move for India's defence sector, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) is actively reinforcing its partnership with the country under the Make in India banner. The company's top executive has confirmed ongoing discussions about manufacturing its cutting-edge Arbel rifle system locally, marking a potential leap in India's small-arms technology capabilities.
A Long-Standing Commitment to Indian Manufacturing
Shuki Schwartz, the CEO of Israel Weapon Industries, highlighted the firm's early and sustained alignment with India's flagship industrial policy. He stated that this proactive approach has enabled IWI to successfully scale up its production within India and significantly increase its market presence. The company has already taken concrete steps by localizing the manufacturing of weapon barrels, and it is now looking to deepen this technological collaboration.
The Arbel System: A Game-Changer for Soldiers
At the heart of the current discussions is the Arbel system, hailed as the world's first fully computerized small-arms fire-control system. This advanced technology is designed to dramatically improve a soldier's accuracy and speed up critical decision-making processes on the battlefield. By integrating sophisticated sensors and computing, the system assists marksmen in hitting targets with greater precision under various combat conditions.
Strategic Partnership with Adani Group
A cornerstone of IWI's strategy in India is its robust collaboration with the Adani Group, operationalized through PLR Systems. CEO Schwartz described this alliance as strong, productive, and strategically focused on advancing the manufacturing of light weapons within the country. This partnership is pivotal for facilitating the potential transfer of technology and establishment of production lines for sophisticated systems like the Arbel.
The continued engagement of IWI, as outlined on December 03, 2025, underscores a growing trend of international defence majors not just selling to India but investing in its industrial ecosystem. The move to produce the Arbel system locally, if finalized, would represent a major step in India's journey towards self-reliance in developing and building next-generation infantry combat systems.
