The Negev NG7 is a general-purpose light machine gun manufactured in Israel with a 7.62×51mm NATO caliber and belt-fed design, equipped with a bipod. It is based on the earlier IWI Negev in 5.56×45mm NATO and was designed by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), formerly Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI).
| Negev NG7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Light machine gun |
| Place of origin |  Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2012–present |
| Used by | Israel IDF
|
| Wars | Operation Protective Edge, Operation Iron Swords |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), 2012 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) |
| Unit cost | $15,000 or 53,000₪ |
| Variants | Negev NG7 Commando, Negev 7 ULMG, and ULMG SF |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.95 kg (17 Ib) |
| Length | 1100 mm (stock extended); 1030 mm (stock folded) |
| length | 508 mm (20 in); 420 mm (16.5 in) |
It is in use with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and various international military and law enforcement units, particularly in India and Kenya. The NG7 model combines the power of 7.62 mm rounds with the compact and lightweight design of the Negev, making it suitable for infantry, combat engineering, and special forces. The NG7 can also be vehicle-mounted.
Before the NG7’s introduction, the IDF's light machine guns primarily included the FN MAG and the FN Minimi. The Negev NG7, with its lightweight, compact size, and durability in harsh conditions, has provided an advantage in field operations, especially in urban combat. Its features include select-fire capability (semi-automatic and full-automatic), which aids in controlled, precise fire in close-quarters battle. The Negev NG7 has proven reliable during both military exercises and combat operations, such as Operation Protective Edge and Operation Iron Swords.
History
editIn the 1990s, Israel Military Industries (IMI) developed the IWI Negev for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 5.56×45mm NATO caliber. In the 2000s, IMI's small arms factory was privatized and sold to Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which continued to develop and produce the Negev.
In 2012, IWI developed a Negev machine gun chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, based on the original Negev, and designated it the Negev NG7. This machine gun features unique characteristics, including a selective-fire capability for semi-automatic shooting, which is uncommon in machine guns of this caliber, as well as enhanced safety mechanisms.
The NG7 was procured by the IDF, with elite units being the first to be equipped with it. The Negev NG7 saw its first operational use during Operation Protective Edge, where it received positive feedback from soldiers for its reliability under harsh conditions and consistent performance without malfunctions.[1]
The NG7 was subsequently integrated into regular infantry brigades, gradually replacing the FN MAG as the standard infantry machine gun (i.e., as a weapon carried by soldiers rather than vehicle-mounted).
In 2023, IWI developed two ultra-compact, lightweight versions of the Negev, the Negev 7 ULMG and Negev 7 ULMG SF, both in 7.62 mm caliber. The standard model weighs 6.6 kg with a 420 mm barrel, while the SF model weighs 6.4 kg with a 330 mm barrel. These variants were developed in response to customer feedback requesting a more compact and lightweight version of the NG7.
The Negev NG7 underwent experimental use in Operation Protective Edge and entered full operational service during Operation Iron Swords.[2]
Specifications
edit- Fully automatic, gas-operated, open bolt
- Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO
- Ammunition feed: 100 or 125-round assault drum, large capacity ammo box, or belt
- Lightweight: 7.95 kg, compared to the FN MAG’s 11 kg
- Compact size: 1100 mm length (1030 mm with stock folded)
- Commando variant (SF) is smaller and lighter, making it ideal for special forces operations
- Barrel length: 508 mm standard, 420 mm for Commando variant
- Rate of fire: Selectable via gas regulator, 600-750 rounds/min
- Muzzle velocity: 860 m/s
- Semi-automatic mode for precision in close-quarters combat
- Equipped with four safety mechanisms to reduce the risk of accidental discharge
- Known for accuracy and equipped with Picatinny rails for attaching various optics and accessories
- Stock with adjustable cheek rest for added comfort and precision
- Standard iron sights for 300-1000 m range, with additional iron night sights based on tritium
- Easy disassembly and reassembly in the field
- Integrated IWI ELOG system for tracking usage and maintenance
Negev 7 ULMG
editThe Negev 7 ULMG is an ultra-compact and lightweight variant of the NG7. The name ULMG stands for Ultra-Light Machine Gun. This model also has a commando version (SF), which is even more compact and includes an especially short barrel.
- Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO
- Rate of fire: 600–800 rounds per minute
- Barrel length: 420 mm (16.54 in) for the standard version, 330 mm (13 in) for the commando (SF) version
- Barrel twist: 4 grooves, 1:12" twist rate
- Overall length of ULMG: 1,000 mm with stock extended, 920 mm with stock folded
- Overall length of ULMG SF: 910 mm with stock extended, 830 mm with stock folded
- Weight (empty): 6.6 kg for the standard version, 6.4 kg for the commando (SF) version
Users
editIsrael:
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF), used by infantry corps, combat engineers corps, and special forces
- Israel Police and YAMAM special unit (in Commando variant)
India: Acquired ~17,000 Negev NG7 units in 2020; deployment began in 2022[3]
Italy: Used by Italian Air Force commando unit[4]
Philippines: National Police of the Philippines
Estonia: Ordered ~1,000 Negev NG7 units in 2023 for Estonian Defence Forces and Estonian Defence League[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Urban Warfare: New Systems Deployed in Combat in Gaza". Israel Defense. September 18, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Zeitoun, Yoav (November 28, 2023). "Powerful Shoulder-Launched Missiles from the USA and a Deadly Machine Gun: Weapons Tested in Gaza". Ynet.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "The Indian army has begun to integrate a "Negev" machine gun made by the IWI company into the infantry units". Israel Defense. January 18, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "For the first time in Italy: Israeli Arad rocket launchers and Negev machine guns in the service of the Italian army". Israel Defense. November 11, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Estonia purchases "Negev" machine guns from the IWI company". Israel Defense. March 13, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)