Israel’s IWI, a manufacturer of light weapons, will supply NG7 "Negev" light machine guns to the Estonian army. At the end of last week, a contract was signed for the supply about 1,000 Negev machine guns in caliber 7.62 mm to the Estonian Defense forces.

The Estonian Center for Defense Investment announced that the new machine gun is intended for the Estonian army and the Estonian Defense League, a voluntary national guard under the command of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. The "Negev" machine guns are supposed to replace the MG3 and KSP-58 machine guns that are currently in use and their delivery is expected from the end of 2023.

According to a senior official at the Estonian Center for Defense Investment, the main reasons for choosing the "Negev" machine gun over 5 other competitors are the good prices they received from IWI and the fast delivery times. According to him, the machine gun was adapted to the special conditions of Estonia. For example, the design of the rifle's stock was adapted, a hot-plate was added to the barrel and the adjustment range of the bipod was increased.

NEGEV 7.62 LMG is a NATO 7.62x51mm Light Machine gun, which is deployed by many countries worldwide including with the IDF. The NEGEV 7.62 has a semi-automatic firing mode that enables accurate fire in various combat situations including adverse conditions, ambush, Close Quarter Battle (CQB). Lightweight, it can be fired from a variety of mounts, including special mounts on helicopters, land vehicles, and naval vessels.

The NEGEV 7.62 features include tritium night sights and long Picatinny rails for optical and other devices and four safety mechanisms. Drum or belt-chain fed and fires from an open bolt position.

“The NEGEV 7.62 Light Machine Gun was designed according to the most up-to-date operational needs, providing improved ergonomics as well as increased component reliability. These advantages, together with its unique characteristics, make it the most effective lightweight 7.62 available for infantries” says Ronen Hamudot, Executive VP Marketing and Sales at SK Group and IWI. “We are proud the Estonian Defense Forces have chosen us to be their partners”. 

In February 2022 we reported that the Israeli Meprolight, a member of the SK Group and IWI's sister-company, won a contract from the Estonian Ministry of Defense for delivery of 6,500 red-dot projections sights to the Estonian Army worth 6 million euros.

Image - Photos courtesy IWI