The Israel Defense Forces were established on May 26, 1948 by order of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion following Israel's declaration of independence, formed by unifying existing Jewish paramilitary organizations, chiefly the Haganah alongside the Irgun and Lehi, into a single national military under one General Staff headed by a Chief of the General Staff reporting to the country's Defense Minister. The IDF operates as a unified command structure with three service branches, the Israeli Ground Forces, Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy, organized further into four regional commands, Northern, Central, Southern and Home Front, and it maintains both a large standing force and extensive reserves sustained by mandatory conscription for citizens over eighteen. The IDF has fought in every major armed conflict involving Israel since its founding, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that accompanied its own creation, the 1967 Six-Day War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the 1982 Lebanon War, alongside numerous smaller operations and counter-terrorism campaigns in the decades since. Its combination of a unified tri-service command, a citizen reserve system that can rapidly expand the standing force, and continuous operational experience across more than seven decades has made the IDF one of the most closely studied militaries of the modern Middle East.
Facts
Force TypeTri-service national military (ground forces, air force, navy) formed as a conscript military 1 Founded Year CountryIsrael (State of Israel) 1 Force Type
Force Type (category) Force Type (category) Israeli Defense Forces
Filter Results11 entries
Connections
Associated With
The Iron Dome air defense system, operated by the Israeli Defense Forces, intercepts short range rockets fired at Israeli territory
The Merkava, designed with crew survivability as a priority, has been the Israeli Defense Forces' main battle tank since 1979
Fought In
Operation Entebbe, the 1976 hostage rescue at Entebbe airport, was carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces
Source Wikipedia: Operation Entebbe
Operation Opera, the 1981 airstrike that destroyed the Iraqi Osirak reactor, was carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces
Source Wikipedia: Operation Opera
Operation Solomon, the 1991 airlift of Ethiopian Jews to Israel, was secured by the Israeli Defense Forces alongside El Al aircrews
Source Wikipedia: Operation Solomon
The Israel Defense Forces defeated Egypt, Jordan and Syria in the June 1967 Six-Day War
Operates
Source Wikipedia: Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
Source Wikipedia: SIG Sauer MMG 338
Source MilitaryFactory.com: SITES Spectre M4
Source Wikipedia: T17E1 Staghound
Source Wikipedia: Trophy (countermeasure)
Source Wikipedia: Uzi
Source Wikipedia: Wind Demon
Showing 51 to 57 of 57 in Operates, page 2 of 2.
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Found In
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Source Wikipedia: Israel Defense ForcesLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 4Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; Hebrew: צְבָא הֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: , lit. 'Army for the Defense of Israel'), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Israel Defense Forces
WikipediaLead paragraph 1
is the national military of the State of Israel.
Lead paragraph 2
the IDF was formed on 26 May 1948 and began to operate as a conscript military
View the Source Military Factory: IWI X95 (Micro-Tavor) Compact Bullpup Assault Rifle
Military FactoryOperates: IWI Tavor X95, Operators listQuote, Operates: IWI Tavor X95, Operators list
Angola; Azerbaijan; Colombia; Israel; India; Ukraine
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: IWI Galil ACE
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: IWI Galil, Operators list
Colombia; Chile; Haiti; Mexico; Peru; Guatemala; El Salvador; Honduras; Israel; Philippines; South Sudan; Vietnam; Ukaine
Operates: IWI Galil ACE, Operators
[ Colombia; Chile; Haiti; Mexico; Peru; Guatemala; El Salvador; Honduras; Israel; Philippines; South Sudan; Vietnam; Ukaine ]
View the Source Military Factory: Kalashnikov PKM (Pulemyot Kalashnikova Modernizirovany) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) / Light Machine Gun (LMG)
Military FactoryOperates: PKM, Operators listQuote, Operates: PKM, Operators list
Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Bulgaria; Cambodia; Cape Verde; China; Croatia; Cuba; Czech Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; East Germany; Egypt; Finland; Georgia; Greece; Hungary; India; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Kazakstan; Kyrgyzstan; Mali; Moldova; Nicaragua; North Korea; Panama; Poland; Romania; Russia; Republic of the Congo; Serbia; Slovakia; Soviet Union; Sri Lanka; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Turkey; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vietnam; Yugoslavia; Zimbabwe
View the Source Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Threat: Harpoon
Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile ThreatOperates: Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, Missile at a glance: OperatorsQuote, Operates: Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, Missile at a glance: Operators
Operators United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, and Venezuela
View the Source Wikipedia: IWI Galil
Operates: IWI Galil, Article textQuote, Operates: IWI Galil, Article text
The Belgian FN FAL battle rifle had initially been adopted by the Israeli Defense Forces in the late 1950s (chambered for the 7.62×51mm cartridge).
View the Source Wikipedia: PULS (multiple rocket launcher)
Operates: PULS (multiple rocket launcher), Article textQuote, Operates: PULS (multiple rocket launcher), Article text
Israel introduced the PULS into IDF service in 2020 under the name Lahav, which is a PULS rocket module mounted on a HEMTT truck chassis.
View the Source Wikipedia: IWI Tavor X95
Operates: IWI Tavor X95, Article textQuote, Operates: IWI Tavor X95, Article text
Israel: In November 2009, the IDF announced that the X95 would become the standard infantry weapon of the IDF, with the addition of an integrated grenade-launcher.
View the Source Wikipedia: 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)
Operates: D-30 Howitzer, Users sectionQuote, Operates: D-30 Howitzer, Users section
Israel: 5 as of 2016
View the Source Wikipedia: PGM Hécate II
Operates: PGM Hécate II, Users sectionQuote, Operates: PGM Hécate II, Users section
Israel
View the Source Wikipedia: Beretta M1951
Operates: Beretta M1951, Users sectionQuote, Operates: Beretta M1951, Users section
Israel
View the Source Wikipedia: Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station
Operates: Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, Users sectionQuote, Operates: Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, Users section
Israel: IDF Namer, some IDF Achzarit, some HMMWV
View the Source Wikipedia: SIG Sauer MMG 338
Operates: SIG Sauer MMG 338, Users sectionQuote, Operates: SIG Sauer MMG 338, Users section
Israel: Used by the Israel Defense Forces.
View the Source Wikipedia: Iron Fist (countermeasure)
Operates: Iron Fist (countermeasure), Article textQuote, Operates: Iron Fist (countermeasure), Article text
In August 2019, Elbit Systems won an IMOD contract to install the Iron Fist active protection system on the IDF's new Eitan APC and the IDF's armored D9 bulldozers.
View the Source CSIS Missile Threat: Gabriel
CSIS Missile ThreatOperates: Gabriel (missile), Gabriel overviewQuote, Operates: Gabriel (missile), Gabriel overview
Since its initial deployment in 1972, five variants have seen service with the Israeli Defense Force.
View the Source Arrow 3, Wikipedia
Operates: Arrow 3, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Arrow 3, Infobox: used_by
Israel Germany
View the Source Wikipedia: Iron Beam
Operates: Iron Beam, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Iron Beam, Infobox: used_by
Israel
View the Source Wikipedia: ROCKS (missile)
Operates: ROCKS (missile), Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: ROCKS (missile), Infobox: used_by
Israeli Air Force
View the Source Wikipedia: Python (missile)
Operates: Python (missile), OperatorsQuote, Operates: Python (missile), Operators
Israel, Shafrir-1/2, Python-4 and Python-5, (primary user, local designation Zephyr).
View the Source Wikipedia: Iron Dome
WikipediaOperates: Iron Dome, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Iron Dome, Infobox: used_by
Israel Defense Forces
View the Source Jericho (missile), Wikipedia
Operates: Jericho III Missile, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Jericho III Missile, Infobox: used_by
Israel Defense Forces
View the Source DM2A4
Operates: DM2A4 Seehecht, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: DM2A4 Seehecht, Infobox: used_by
Germany, Greece, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Israel, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela
View the Source Wikipedia: Besa machine gun
Operates: Besa machine gun, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Besa machine gun, Infobox: used_by
British Empire Republic of Ireland, Ireland Israel
View the Source Wikipedia: 5.56x45mm NATO
Operates: 5.56x45mm NATO, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: 5.56x45mm NATO, Infobox: used_by
NATO, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Israel, other major non-NATO allies
View the Source Wikipedia: Ruger 10/22
Operates: Ruger 10/22, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Ruger 10/22, Infobox: used_by
Israel Defense Forces
View the Source Wikipedia: Wind Demon
Operates: Wind Demon, Infobox: used_byQuote, Operates: Wind Demon, Infobox: used_by
Israel Defense Forces
View the Source Wikipedia: Uzi
WikipediaOperates: Uzi, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: Uzi, Wikipedia article text
There is a wooden stock with a metal buttplate that comes in three similar variations that were used by the IDF.
View the Source Wikipedia: FN FAL
WikipediaOperates: FN FAL, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: FN FAL, Wikipedia article text
In 1955 the IDF adopted the IMI-produced Uzi submachine gun and the FN FAL in order to standardize their infantry armament; with the FAL being designated Rov've Mitta'enn or Romat (רומ"ט), abbreviation of "Self-Loading Rifle".
View the Source Wikipedia: M4 carbine
Operates: M4 Carbine, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: M4 Carbine, Wikipedia article text
Standard issue in the Israel Defense Forces, but it has been gradually replaced with the IWI Tavor since 2001.
View the Source Wikipedia: Merkava
WikipediaOperates: Merkava Tank, Lead sectionQuote, Operates: Merkava Tank, Lead section
The Merkava (Hebrew: מֶרְכָּבָה, [mɛʁkaˈva] , "chariot") is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which are the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps.
View the Source Wikipedia: M2 Browning
WikipediaOperates: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Wikipedia article text
The M2HB has been in service with the Israel Defense Forces since its establishment and has served in all of Israel's wars, operations, and conflicts.
View the Source David's Sling, Wikipedia
Operates: David's Sling, Lead sectionQuote, Operates: David's Sling, Lead section
David's Sling (Hebrew: קלע דוד, romanized: Kela David), also formerly known as Magic Wand (Hebrew: שרביט קסמים, romanized: Sharvit Ksamim), is an Israel Defense Forces military system jointly developed by the Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the American defense contractor Raytheon, that became operational in 2017.
View the Source Wikipedia: FN MAG
Operates: FN MAG, Article textQuote, Operates: FN MAG, Article text
Israel: Used by the Israel Defense Forces alongside IMI Negev and Negev NG7.
View the Source Wikipedia: IWI Negev
Operates: IWI Negev, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: IWI Negev, Wikipedia article text
Both variants of the Negev are in service with the Israel Defense Forces.
View the Source Wikipedia: Trophy (countermeasure)
Operates: Trophy (countermeasure), Lead sectionQuote, Operates: Trophy (countermeasure), Lead section
Trophy (Israel Defense Forces designation מעיל רוח, 'Windbreaker') is an active protection system (APS) for military armored vehicles designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
View the Source Wikipedia: IWI Tavor
Operates: IWI Tavor, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: IWI Tavor, Wikipedia article text
In 2009, the Tavor X95 (also known as the Micro Tavor or MTAR) was selected by the Israel Defense Forces to gradually replace the M16 assault rifle and M4 carbine variants as the standard-issued weapon of the Israeli infantry by the end of 2018.
View the Source Wikipedia: M113 armored personnel carrier
Operates: M113 armored personnel carrier, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: M113 armored personnel carrier, Wikipedia article text
The M113 took part in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, when the IDF was equipped with 448 M113s that saw action on the Sinai and Golan fronts.
View the Source Wikipedia: BTR-50
Operates: BTR-50, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: BTR-50, Wikipedia article text
During this conflict, BTR-50s, along with T-54s and T-55s, were used by the IDF during the fighting in and around the city of Suez.
View the Source Wikipedia: BRDM-1
Operates: BRDM-1, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: BRDM-1, Wikipedia article text
Both Egypt and Syria deployed BRDM-1s during the Six-Day War; a number of these vehicles were captured by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during that conflict and subsequently reused in unconventional operations.
View the Source Wikipedia: Panhard AML
Operates: Panhard AML, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: Panhard AML, Wikipedia article text
The IDF armoured cars had been received by the end of 1963 and were first displayed publicly on the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut, 1966.
View the Source Wikipedia: M107 self-propelled gun
Operates: M107 self-propelled gun, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: M107 self-propelled gun, Wikipedia article text
The IDF acquired over 200 vehicles.
View the Source Wikipedia: OT-62 TOPAS
Operates: OT-62 TOPAS, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: OT-62 TOPAS, Wikipedia article text
Some vehicles were captured and commissioned by the Israel Defense Forces.
View the Source Wikipedia: EL/M-2084
Operates: EL/M-2084, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: EL/M-2084, Wikipedia article text
Several versions of the radar were purchased and are operated by a number of armies, including the Israel Defense Forces, Canadian Army, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Army of the Czech Republic, Slovak Armed Forces.
View the Source Wikipedia: FM 24/29 light machine gun
Operates: FM 24/29 light machine gun, Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: FM 24/29 light machine gun, Wikipedia article text
At least 200 examples were used by the Israeli Defense Forces in the 1947-1949 Palestine war.
View the Source Wikipedia: Luz (missile)
Operates: Luz (missile), Wikipedia article textQuote, Operates: Luz (missile), Wikipedia article text
These (as well as the Gabriel descendant of the Luz) were not only deployed by the IDF but were also widely exported for use by foreign militaries.
View the Source Wikipedia: M250 light machine gun
Operates: M250 Light Machine Gun, OperatorsQuote, Operates: M250 Light Machine Gun, Operators
Israel: Israel Defense Forces adopted the SIG LMG 7.62 variant in 2025.
View the Source Wikipedia: T17E1 Staghound
Operates: T17E1 Staghound, OperatorsQuote, Operates: T17E1 Staghound, Operators
Israel - 112 in service with the Israel Defense Forces.
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Fagot)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: MiG-15, OperatorsQuote, Operates: MiG-15, Operators
[ Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Bulgaria; Cambodia; China; Congo; Cuba; Czechoslovakia; East Germany; Egypt; Finland; Guinea-Bissau; Hungary; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel (captured Egyptian samples); Libya, Madagascar; Mali, Mongolia; Morocco, Mozambique; Nigeria; North Korea; North Vietnam; Pakistan; Poland; Romania; Somalia; Soviet Union; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Uganda; Vietnam ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: IWI / Magnum Research Desert Eagle
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Desert Eagle, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Desert Eagle, Operators
[ Israel; United States ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Benelli M4, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Benelli M4, Operators
[ Andorra; Australia; Belarus; Brazil; Croatia; Georgia; Greece; Iraq; Italy; Ireland; Israel; Jordan; Libya; Lithuania; Malaysia; Malta; Portugal; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; Ukraine; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: IWI Jericho 941
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: IWI Jericho 941, OperatorsQuote, Operates: IWI Jericho 941, Operators
[ Albania; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; Greece; Israel; Philippines; Romania; Serbia; South Korea; Ukraine ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Armsel Striker
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Armsel Striker, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Armsel Striker, Operators
[ Iraq; Israel; South Africa ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: SITES Spectre M4
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Spectre M4, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Spectre M4, Operators
[ Israel; Italy; Switzerland; United States ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: AMX-13
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: AMX-13, OperatorsQuote, Operates: AMX-13, Operators
[ Algeria; Argentina; Austria; Belgium; Cambodia; Chile; Cyprus; Dominican Republic; Djibouti; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; France; Guatemala; India; Indonesia; Israel; Ivory Coast; Kuwait; Lebanon; Mexico; Morocco; Nepal; Netherlands; Peru; Singapore; Switzerland; Tunisia; Venezuela ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Magach (M48/M60)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Magach, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Magach, Operators
[ Israel; Turkey ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: FIM-92 Stinger, OperatorsQuote, Operates: FIM-92 Stinger, Operators
[ Angola; Bangladesh; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Chad; Chile; Denmark; Egypt; Germany; Greece; Iraq; Israel; Italy; Japan; Latvia; Lithuania; Mexico; Netherlands; Norway; Pakistan; Portugal; Taiwan; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: F-16 Fighting Falcon, OperatorsQuote, Operates: F-16 Fighting Falcon, Operators
[ Bahrain; Belgium; Bulgaria; Chile; Denmark; Egypt; Greece; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Jordan; Morocco; Netherlands; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Singapore; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine (via Denmark/Netherlands) United Arab Emirates; United States; Venezuela ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: BRDM-2
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: BRDM-2, OperatorsQuote, Operates: BRDM-2, Operators
[ Abkhazia; Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Belarus; Benin; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Burundi; Cape Verde Islands; Cambodia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Croatia; Cuba; Czech Republic; Czechoslovakia; East Germany; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Estonia; Ethiopia; Gaza; Georgia; Germany; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Ivory Coast; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Lebanon; Libya; Lithuania; Macedonia; Madagascar; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Moldova; Mongolia; Mozambique; Namibia; Nicaragua; Palestine; Peru; Poland; Polisario; Romania; Russia; Serbia and Montenegro; Seychelles; Slovakia; Slovenia; Somalia; Somaliland; Soviet Union; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; United States; Vietnam; Yugoslavia; Zimbabwe; Zambia ]
View the Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch P11
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler and Koch P11, OperatorsQuote, Operates: Heckler and Koch P11, Operators
[ Denmark; France; Germany; West Germany; Israel; Italy; Malaysia; Netherlands; Norway; Pakistan; United Kingdom; United States ]
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