IWI Negev
The Negev is a 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun developed by the Israeli firearm manufacturer, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) (formerly Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI)) of Ramat HaSharon.
IWI NEGEV and NEGEV NG-7 | |
---|---|
![]() A left-side view of the IWI NEGEV | |
Type | Light machine gun |
Place of origin | Israel |
Service history | |
In service | 1997–present[1] |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | Al-Aqsa Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Gaza War War in Afghanistan (2001–present)[2] Operation Protective Edge War in Donbass |
Production history | |
Designer | Israel Military Industries (IMI) |
Designed | 1985–1990 |
Manufacturer | Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) (Formerly: Israel Military Industries), made under license by Punj Lloyd Raksha Systems[3][4] |
Produced | 1995–present |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass | (Weapon Only) 7.65 kg: NEGEV 7.6 kg: NEGEV SF 7.7 kg: NEGEV NG-5 7.5 kg: NEGEV NG-5 SF 7.95 kg: NEGEV NG-7 7.8 kg: NEGEV NG-7 SF |
Length | NEGEV, NEGEV NG-5: 1,020 mm Stock Extended 810 mm Stock Folded NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 SF: 890 mm Stock Extended 680 mm Stock Folded NEGEV NG-7: 1,100 mm Stock Extended 1,030 mm Stock Folded NEGEV NG-7 SF: 1,012 mm Stock Extended 942 mm Stock Folded |
Barrel length | 460 mm (18.11 inch): NEGEV, NEGEV NG-5 330 mm (12.99 inch): NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 SF 508 mm (20 inch): NEGEV NG-7 420mm (16.5 inch): NEGEV NG-7 SF |
Cartridge |
|
Action | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | NEGEV, NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 and NEGEV NG-5 SF: 850–1050 RPM (Regulated position 1 for Magazine Fed) 850–1050 RPM (Regulated position 2 for Belt Fed) 950–1150 RPM (Regulated position 3 for Belt Fed Extreme Conditions) NEGEV NG-7 and NEGEV NG-7 SF: 600–750 RPM (Regulated position 1 for Belt Fed) 600–750 RPM (Regulated position 2 for Belt Fed Extreme Conditions) |
Muzzle velocity | 915 m/s (3,002 ft/s)): NEGEV, NEGEV NG-5 850 m/s (2,789 ft/s): NEGEV SF NEGEV NG-5 SF 860 m/s (2,822 ft/s): NEGEV NG-7 810 m/s (2,657 ft/s): NEGEV NG-7 SF |
Effective firing range | 300–1,000 m sight adjustments (NEGEV, NEGEV NG-5) 300-800 m sight adjustments (NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 SF) |
Maximum firing range | 1200 m |
Feed system | NEGEV, NEGEV SF, NEGEV NG-5 and NEGEV NG-5 SF: 150-round disintegrating M27 ammunition belt, 35-round box magazine, or STANAG NATO magazines NEGEV NG-7 and NEGEV NG-7 SF: 100- and 125-round disintegrating M13 NATO ammunition belts |
Sights | Aperture with elevation drum and adjustable front post, folding tritium night sights, and a Picatinny rail for various optical sights |
In 2012, IWI introduced the Negev NG-7 7.62×51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun and is used by the Israel Defense Forces (mainly in the infantry, combat engineer and special forces units). The NG stands for Next Generation.
Design details

The IWI Negev is a gas-operated selective fire light machine gun that uses propellant gases from the barrel to cycle a short-stroke gas piston operating system under the barrel and a rotary bolt locking mechanism. The bolt itself features 4 radial locking lugs that engage the barrel extension and its rotation is controlled by a pin on the bolt body, which rides inside a camming guide machined into the bolt carrier. The bolt contains a spring-powered casing extractor unit, while a lever ejector is housed inside the receiver (it is rotated by the recoiling bolt carrier).
The design was meant to be reliable, especially in adverse conditions.[5] In 1997, it was officially adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Striker firing mechanism
The Negev is striker-fired, where the bolt carrier assembly acts as the striker, and fires from an open bolt position. A lever-type fire control selector switch is provided (“A”— for fully automatic fire and “R”— for semi-automatic fire), installed on the left side of the pistol grip, which doubles as a manual safety against accidental firing. The safe “S” position disables the sear mechanism (which makes it impossible to cock the bolt carrier), by lifting the lever responsible for holding the bolt carrier in the forward position and disconnects the trigger mechanism from the sear. The weapon can be secured safe regardless of the position of the bolt carrier group. The cocking handle is equipped with a ratcheting mechanism that immobilizes the partially cocked bolt carrier.
Gas regulator
The Negev's adjustable gas regulator has three settings:
- setting "1" is used exclusively when feeding from a magazine (rate of fire in this mode is around 850–1,050 rounds per minute).
- setting "2" is used in normal operating conditions when feeding from a belt (rate of fire in this mode is also around 850–1,050 rounds per minute).
- setting "3" which is used under adverse operating conditions, such as in the presence of dust, dirt or heavy fouling (rate of fire in this mode is around 950–1,150 rounds per minute).
Early prototypes used a different 3-position gas adjustment system:
- setting "1"—for normal operations.
- setting "2"—for adverse environmental conditions.
- setting "3"—isolates the gas system, and is used to launch rifle grenades with the use of a grenade-launching blank cartridge drawn from a special 12-round magazine from the Galil rifle.
Barrel
The Negev has a quick-change chrome-lined barrel that is manufactured using a cold hammer forging process. The barrel is fitted with a slotted flash suppressor and a fixed carry handle, which is used to transport the weapon and change-out an overheated barrel. The barrel can be changed only after lifting open the feed tray cover.
During the weapon's initial development a barrel with a 1 in 305 mm (1:12 in) rifling twist rate was also planned, adapted for the lightweight M193 cartridge. Additionally, a multifunction muzzle device was designed, used to launch rifle grenades.
Sights
The Negev's iron sights (closed-type) consist of a front post (adjustable for both windage and elevation) and a rear aperture sight with an elevation adjustment drum, with 300 to 1,000 m range settings in 100 m increments. The sight line radius is 440 millimeters (17.3 in). For night-time operation the weapon is equipped with gaseous
tritium-illuminated vials (supplied by Betalight): one installed in the front sight post, and two—on a notch sight under the standard aperture sight arm (before use, the rear sight leaf is pivoted forward to expose the night notch sight). A rail is integrated into the receiver top cover that allows optical day and night-time sights to be mounted to the weapon. The barrel can also be optionally fitted with mounting hardware that would allow the Negev to mount a laser pointer or reflex sight.
The machine gun has a metal side-folding (right side) stock and a removable bipod, installed to the forward end of the handguard and folded under the handguard when stowed. The receiver also has slots and hooks used to secure the weapon to vehicle mounting hardware.
Cartridges
The Negev uses the 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge and is optimized for the SS109 bullet. Field maintenance involves stripping the weapon down to six main groups: the barrel, stock, bolt carrier, bolt, bipod and return mechanism. All parts, including the quick-change barrels are fully interchangeable. The Negev NG-7 uses the 7.62×51mm NATO full-power battle rifle cartridge.
Ammunition feeding
The Negev feeds from an M27 disintegrating, open-link ammunition belt, carried in a 150-round fabric container that clips into the magazine well, or alternatively from a 35-round box magazine from the Galil assault rifle, or a 30-round STANAG magazine from the M16 rifle (with the use of an adapter). 200-round ammunition belt containers are also available. Belted ammunition is introduced into the feed tray port from the left side, while the magazine is inserted vertically into the magazine well at the base of the receiver. The feed system uses a pawl feeding mechanism, driven by the recoiling bolt carrier, but the belt is moved only during the rearward movement of the bolt carrier. The non-reciprocating charging handle is located on the right side of the weapon.
Variants

- Negev – The IWI Negev light machine gun is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It has a barrel length of 460 mm (18.11 inch) and two operation modes; semi-automatic for accurate and fast controlled fire, and fully automatic for maximum firepower.[6]
- Negev SF – The IWI Negev SF is a compact variant of the Negev. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with a side grip (NEGEV Assault Grip).[7] It has a barrel length of 330 mm (12.99 inch).[8][6]
- Negev NG-5 - A Newer Version Of The Negev 5.56, Barrel Sizes And Features Are The Same.
- Negev SF NG-5 - A Newer Version Of The Negev SF 5.56, Barrel Sizes And Features Are The Same.
- Negev NG-7 – The IWI Negev NG-7 general-purpose machine gun is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge. It has a barrel length of 508 mm (20 inch) and two operation modes; semi-automatic for accurate and fast controlled fire, and fully automatic for maximum firepower.[6] It is fed by a 100- or 125-round assault drum magazine containing disintegrating M13 NATO standard ammunition belts or NATO standard ammunition belts and has two gas regulator settings as the possibly for box magazine feeding was omitted. The IWI eLog weapon-embedded sensor module was added to collect and store data on the actual use of the weapons for more efficient maintenance management and servicing by armorers.
- Negev NG-7 SF – The IWI Negev NG-7 SF is a compact variant of the Negev NG-7. It uses a shorter barrel and is primarily fitted with a side grip (Negev Assault Grip).[7] It has a barrel length of 420 mm (16.5 inch).[6]
Gallery
- An FN MAG (on the left) compared to an IWI Negev (on the right).
- A Negev (on the left) compared to an M4A1 (on the right).
- IDF instructor with a Negev light machine gun.
Users
Argentina: Used by Argentine Federal Police and Argentine Naval Prefecture Azerbaijan[9] Brazil: Used by Military Police of São Paulo State Cameroon: Used by Battalion d'intervention rapide[10] Cyprus: Used by special forces Colombia[1] Costa Rica[1] Democratic Republic of Congo : Used by Presidential Guard units in 2010[11] Equatorial Guinea[11] Estonia[1][12] Georgia[13] Since May 2010, standard issue light machine gun of the GAF. Heavily used by Georgian units in Afghanistan.[14] India: 5.56×45mm NATO variant were already in extensive use by all Special forces from earlier and also a order for 16,479 NG-7 has been placed recently to replace all the INSAS Light Machine guns present with the Indian Army.[15] Israel: The Negev was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 1997[1][16] and the Negev NG-7 was adopted in 2012.[17] Ivory Coast:[10] Kenya: Kenya Defense Forces[18] Mexico: Mexican Federal Police[19] North Macedonia:[20] Police Special Forces Paraguay: Paraguayan Army.[21] Philippines: Philippine National Police[22] Philippine Coast Guard Senegal: Used by special forces and commandos[10] Tanzania: Used by Tanzanian Special Forces.[10] Thailand: Purchased 1,000 machine guns in 2007, and another 550 in 2008.[23] Vietnam: In service with Naval Special Forces.[24] Ukraine (known as Fort-401)[25]
See also
- M249 light machine gun
- M60 machine gun
- FN Minimi
- FN Maximi
- FN MAG
- HK MG4
- HK MG5
- Sig Sauer MG-6.8
- Sig Sauer MG-338
- PK machine gun
- Daewoo Precision Industries K3
- Ultimax 100
References
- Kemp, Ian (March 2007). "Lightweight Firepower" (PDF). Asianmilitaryreview.com - Asian Military Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
- Vining, Miles (22 April 2016). "ISAF armament of BLS". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- James H. Willbanks, 2004."Machine Guns: An Illustrated History of Their Impact". ABC-CLIO. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- "IWI tavor brochure". Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- "NEGEV ASSAULT GRIP - IWI". IWI. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- "IWI Negev | Weaponsystems.net". weaponsystems.net. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- "News.Az - Azerbaijan buys great deal of weapons from Israel last year". news.az. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
- Binnie, Jeremy; de Cherisey, Erwan (2017). "New-model African armies" (PDF). Jane's. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 June 2017.
- Wezeman, Siemon T. "Israeli arms transfers to sub-Saharan Africa" (PDF). SIPRI Background Paper. SIPRI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2011.
- "Eesti Kaitsevägi - 5,56 mm kergekuulipilduja Negev - Kaitsevägi". Mil.ee. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- "Negev in Georgian army". Mod.gov.ge. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
- Vining, Miles (22 April 2016). "ISAF armament of BLS". Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
- Bedi, Rahul (22 March 2020). "India signs USD117.8 million deal with IWI for LMGs | Jane's 360". Jane's Defence Weekly. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- Hogg, Ian (2002). Jane's Guns Recognition Guide. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-00-712760-X.
- Negev NG7 Archived 18 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine - Israel-Weapon.com
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Mexican Federal Police Using IWI Negev Machine Gun Archived 29 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Thefirearmblog.com, 2 August 2013
- McNab, Chris (2017). The FN Minimi Light Machine Gun: M249, L108A1, L110A2, and other variants. Weapon 53. Osprey Publishing. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-4728-1623-8.
- "Paraguay Army Chooses IWI's "Negev"". Israel Defense. 1 August 2015.
- Dela Rosa, Ronald (20 May 2017). "PNP Director General Dela Rosa's One Year Report for 2016-2017" (PDF). www.pnp.gov.ph. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Những bức ảnh về Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam (Phần 4) - Trang 480". TTVNOL. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
- "5,56 мм легкий кулемет "Форт-401"". mil.in.ua (in Ukrainian). 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 29 January 2012.
External links
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to IMI Negev. |
- The Negev LMGs in the IWI official website:
- Israel Weapon Industries – Homepage (Main Website)
- Israel Weapon Industries – Negev (Main Website)
- Israel Weapon Industries – (Main Negev LMG Brochure)