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IMI Tavor TAR-21
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The T.A.R. 21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system. The name "T.A.R. 21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle - 21st Century". The T.A.R. 21 was selected as the future assault rifle of the Israel Defense Forces, is the standard issued weapon of the Givati Brigade (since August 2006) and Golani Brigade (since August 2008). Within the next few years it will become the standard Israel infantry weapon.
T.A.R.
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Encyclopedia
The T.A.R. 21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system. The name "T.A.R. 21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle - 21st Century". The T.A.R. 21 was selected as the future assault rifle of the Israel Defense Forces, is the standard issued weapon of the Givati Brigade (since August 2006) and Golani Brigade (since August 2008). Within the next few years it will become the standard Israel infantry weapon.
Design
The T.A.R. 21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the French FAMAS, the British SA80, Austrian Steyr AUG, Singaporean SAR-21, Iranian Khaybar KH2002, Chinese Norinco QBZ-95, and Belgian FN F2000. Bullpup rifles are configured in a layout in which the bolt carrier group is placed behind the pistol grip; this shortens the overall length but does not sacrifice barrel length. The T.A.R. 21 provides carbine length, but rifle muzzle velocity. The bullpup design is also used to minimize the silhouette of soldiers and to maximize effectiveness in turning corners in urban warfare.
The T.A.R. 21 has ejection ports on both sides of the rifle so it can easily be reconfigured for right or left-handed shooters. However, this process requires partial disassembly, so it can not be quickly configured while the rifle is in use.
The T.A.R. 21 design is based on advanced ergonomics and composite materials in order to produce a more comfortable and reliable rifle. The T.A.R. 21 is waterproof and lightweight. It also includes an advanced red-dot reflex sight and can be mounted with different scopes, night vision systems and other electronic devices.
The T.A.R. 21 accepts standard STANAG NATO magazines. It can also be mounted with the M203 grenade launcher. Its ambidextrous fire mode selector above the pistol grip has a semi-automatic mode, burst mode, and a fully automatic mode.
Variants
The Tavor assault rifle comes in different variations:
Micro Tavor
The Micro Tavor (M.T.A.R 21), sometimes called Tavor-2, is a stand-alone extremely compact weapon specifically designed for special forces units, as well as military personnel who are normally not issued long assault rifles.
With the use of a relatively simple conversion kit, the M.T.A.R 21 can be converted from a 5.56 mm assault rifle to a 9 mm submachine gun loaded with 20,25 and 32-round magazines. A suppressor can also be added to the weapon, it is part of the 9 mm conversion kit.
Issued to Givati Brigade Reconnaissance Company.
Semi-automatic
The semi-automatic Tavor Carbine (T.C. 21) has been conceived for civilian customers, and as a Police patrol carbine for those Countries, or Law Enforcement agencies, where full-automatic firearms are issued only to SWAT-like units. A semi-automatic Tavor carbine was first seen at the 2002 SHOT Show, when agreements were announced between IMI and the Barrett Firearms Company to manufacture the Tavor in both its military and civilian variants in the United States. This was probably done in order to allow Israel to procure the Tavor using United States military aid monies, since, according to American military assistance agreements, said funds must be spent to purchase US-manufactured equipments. The agreement between IMI and Barrett was never finalized, and the semi-automatic Tavor carbine as shown at the 2002 SHOT Show was never manufactured, although that specific design has recently resurfaced. The current Tavor Carbine, made in Israel by IWI, has been designed with slightly shortened barrel, otherwise being identical to the standard T.A.R. 21 assault rifle. As for 2008, it is available for civilian customers purchase in Canada.
Service
After initial testing within Israel Defence Forces' infantry training units, the T.A.R. 21 was distributed to Givati Brigade troops during Operation Defensive Shield. Seen by some as "futuristic", the bullpup layout has actually been around since the 1940s when the United Kingdom developed the EM-1 and the EM-2 assault rifles. Initial results have been favorable - the T.A.R. 21 was found to be significantly more accurate and reliable (as well as more comfortable) than the M4 Carbine during extensive field testing - but the battle proven and widely issued M16 and its variants will remain in service for some time to come; their unit purchase price is about one third that of the T.A.R. 21. Originally there were some problems with fine sand getting into the Tavor's chamber, but reportedly, numerous adjustments were made and the problem has been corrected.
Users
 : Currently used mainly by Special Forces, but the Azerbaijani government has plans to replace the standard AK-74 with the Tavor.  : The Colombian Army operates the T.A.R. 21 for their special forces Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas. Colombia bought 30,000 Tavors. : Since 2006, the Georgian Army has entered into a $65 million supply agreement for approximately 7,000 T.A.R. 21 rifles (including different variants and grenade launchers). These rifles are designated to replace the AK-74 derivatives that are currently in use by 7,850 special forces personnel. Officials report that 1,300 rifles have already been shipped. : Guatemala's police force or PNC (Policia Nacional Civil) operates the T.A.R. 21 for routine tasks, and some special operations. : In late 2002, India signed an Rs. 880 million (about $20 million) deal with Israel Military Industries for 3,070 Tavor assault rifles to be issued to India's special forces personnel, where its ergonomics, reliability in heat and sand, and fast-point/fast-shoot design might give them an edge at close-quarters and employment from inside vehicles. By 2005, IMI had supplied 350–400 Tavors to India's northern Special Frontier Force (SFF). These were declared to be "operationally unsatisfactory", however, due to problems with their folding stock; meanwhile, Israeli units were voicing complaints of their own. The required changes appear to have been made, and the Tavor now looks set to enter operational service within a couple of months – even as India gears up for a larger competition that could feature a 9 mm M.T.A.R. 21 version. Tests in Israel during 2006 went well, clearing the contracted consignment for delivery. The new Tavors will have a modified single-piece stock and new sights, as well as Turkish-made MKEK T-40 40 mm under-barrel grenade launchers. Singapore Technologies will supply the 5.56 mm ammunition. The weapon is known as the Zittara in Indian service. : In use by Givati Brigade and Golani Brigade, as well as by some special forces' units of the Israel Defense Forces. Also being used by a special unit of the Israel Prison Service. : Small quantities of the T.A.R. 21 are in use by field and intervention units of the Polícia Judiciária, like hostage negotiation teams and investigators who usually work alongside other dedicated law enforcement intervention units – the Special Operations Group (GOE) and the National Republican Guard's Special Operations Company (COE); these weapons were initially intended to equip a new unit under the command of the Polícia Judiciária resembling the GOE. The T.A.R. 21 also participated in the competition for the new service rifle for the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and the Police Special Operations Group (GOE) – a bid that also included the local production of the T.A.R. 21 in Portugal. However, the T.A.R. 21 was excluded from the shortlist. The competition has meanwhile been annulled, after the other contenders and both political and defense critics accused the competition of favoring the Heckler & Koch G36. : The Royal Thai Army purchased 15,000 T.A.R. 21 rifles. The second batch of 15,037 was ordered on September 9 2008. : Used by the Maroon Berets.  : Yuriy Lutsenko, head of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, announced on October 1 2008 that Israel Weapon Industries and the Ukrainian research and production company RPC Fort will jointly manufacture the Tavor T.A.R. 21 assault rifle, that will enter service with the Ukrainian military and police special units.
See also
External links
- Israeli Weapons: The TAR-21 Tavor assault rifle
- : Tavor-2 Advanced Assault rifle and
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