IMI Tavor TAR-21, Israel Assault Rifle

The IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56 x 45mm NATO ammunition with a selective fire system. The name "T.A.R. 21" stands for "Tavor Assault Rifle - 21st Century". It is the standard issued weapon of the Givati Brigade (since August 2006) and Golani Brigade (since August 2008), with the Nahal Brigade receiving it by 2010. The T.A.R. 21 was selected as the future assault rifle of the Israeli Defense Forces, and within the next few years it will become the standard Israeli infantry weapon.

T.A.R. 21
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	2006–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Operation Defensive Shield, Operation Summer Rains, 2006 Lebanon War, 2008 South Ossetia War, Gaza War, Colombian armed conflict, 2008 Cambodian-Thai stand-off
Production history
Designer	Israel Military Industries Ltd
Designed	1991–2001
Manufacturer	Israel Military Industries Ltd (currently Israel Weapon Industries Ltd)
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	3.27 kg (7.21 lb) (T.A.R. 21) 3.18 kg (7.0 lb) (C.T.A.R. 21) 3.67 kg (8.1 lb) (S.T.A.R. 21) 2.95 kg (6.5 lb) (M.T.A.R. 21) 3.19 kg (7.0 lb) (T.C. 21)
Length	725 mm (28.5 in) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21) 640 mm (25.2 in) (C.T.A.R. 21) 590 mm (23.2 in) (M.T.A.R. 21) 670 mm (26.4 in) (T.C. 21)
Barrel length	460 mm (18.1 in) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21) 380 mm (15.0 in) (C.T.A.R. 21) 330 mm (13.0 in) (M.T.A.R. 21) 410 mm (16.1 in) (T.C. 21)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO 9x19mm Parabellum (Optional on M.T.A.R. 21)
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	750-900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	910 m/s (2,986 ft/s) (T.A.R. 21, S.T.A.R. 21) 890 m/s (2,919.9 ft/s) (C.T.A.R. 21) 870 m/s (2,854.3 ft/s) (M.T.A.R. 21) 885 m/s (2,903.5 ft/s) (T.C. 21)
Effective range	550 m
Feed system	Various STANAG magazines
Sights	ITL MARS with integrated laser and IR pointer, Trijicon ACOG (S.T.A.R 21), others available

IMI Tavor T.A.R. 21 uses a bullpup design, as seen with the Croatian VHS, French FAMAS, the British SA80, Austrian Steyr AUG, Singaporean SAR-21, Iranian Khaybar KH2002, Chinese Norinco QBZ-95, and Belgian FN F2000 and FN P90. 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.

IMI Tavor 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 reconfigured while the rifle is in use.

IMI Tavor 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 has a normal metal sight but also includes an advanced red-dot reflex sight and can be mounted with different scopes, night vision systems and other electronic devices.

IMI Tavor 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.