Israeli Defence firm supplies first batch of light machine guns to India

One of Israel’s leading small arms manufacturers has delivered its first batch of light machine guns (LMG) to India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative through technology transfer.

The first batch of 2,000 NEGEV 7.62×51 LMGs, part of a larger contract for 41,000 units, was delivered last weekend, with an additional 4,000 planned to be delivered towards the end of this year, Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) said in a press release.

The delivery was made by PLR Systems, a joint venture between IWI and Adani Group, the first private company to produce small arms and ammunition in India.

“This milestone comes following the successful completion of India’s technology transfer process under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and reflects IWI’s commitment to deliver advanced systems in line with contractual schedules and the highest quality standards, while supporting India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem,” the company said.

One of the lightest 7.62 mm submachine guns in its class with semi-automatic mode, the NEGEV 7.62×51 is deployed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and offers high precision and effective target acquisition, designed for reliability in harsh operational environments.

Its lightweight design and use of 7.62 mm ammunition allow it to penetrate reinforced trenches, making it suitable for urban warfare and critical missions.

The weapon, which has both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes, can be mounted on helicopters, vehicles and naval platforms for operational flexibility.

Equipped with Picatinny rails and tritium night sights, this weapon is designed for better aiming in low light conditions, while compliance with NATO standards ensures durability.

In the statement, it was stated that NEGEV LMGs are also compatible with a computerized weapon system and aim to increase operational effectiveness by ensuring precise intervention against threats under stress.

Amid the expansion of India-Israel defense ties, PLR Systems has also signed a contract to supply 170,000 close-quarters combat (CQB) carbines, with the first 18,000 units scheduled to be delivered this year.

India and Israel signed an agreement in November last year to enhance defence, industrial and technological cooperation and enable the sharing of advanced technology to promote joint development and joint production.