In late January, Israeli Security Forces captured four illegal arms dealers attempting to smuggle firearms in the Arab community of Israel. Israeli police recovered 53 firearms in this raid, in addition to the arrest of the arms dealers. In this article we’ll examine what was seized.
G3
Indigenous Iranian Equipment: Iranian Molle Vest
Iran’s armed forces consists of a multitude of different services, including the Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force, an Air Defense Force which is responsible for providing an anti-aircraft security net, and a law enforcement branch. This structure remains somewhat similar to the Shah-era military structure, save for the Air Defense Force which became its own branch separate from the Air Force in 2008, as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which contains its own ground force, navy, and aerospace force. In addition to the IRGC’s other branches is the Quds Force, which performs asymmetrical warfare abroad, and the Basij, a paramilitary unit. These branches all have personnel equipped with various different types of tactical equipment, with many pieces acquired pre-Islamic Revolution transferring over to the newly formed Iranian Army.
A Review of the Latest Products from Iran’s Defense Industries Organization (DIO) – Part One
In this first part of a series looking at Iran’s Defense Industries Organization (DIO) and its products we examine some of the DIO’s submachine guns and rifles.
V32: Yousef Riazi and Iranian Small Arms in use by the Iranian Military
In this episode, Miles and Yousef Riazi discuss in great detail the different types, and quality of Iranian-made small arms and the history of the weapons that are issued to the infantry of the Iranian army. As well as Yousef’s experience dealing with them as a former conscript who served in the Iranian army.
The Khyber Strikes Again: Unusual Modified SKS
A friend of ours in the Pak-Afghan border regions within Pakistan recently shared a couple of photos with us showcasing a somewhat unique firearm. This was a highly modified SKS-pattern 7.62×39mm self-loading rifle, likely of Russian origin, and probably a left in the region after the Soviet-Afghan War. By now we should all be very familiar with the some of the wackier work coming out of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and this was an interesting piece to see. It is highly unusual configuration to see an SKS-pattern rifle in and the work done to the weapon makes it quite unique.
Small Arms Symbology of Syrian Opposition Forces (2011-2020)
The Syrian Civil War is an extremely complex conflict, not least in terms of its innumerable state and non-state actors, armed groups, popular militias and foreign contractors. Despite the obvious confusing chaos and dreadful complexity caused by a large number of participants it does offer a representative sample frame for academic research. For any researcher looking for a realistic subset of armed factions and political movements within the wider region, Syria provides an interesting case study. In this exclusive series, I examined Syrian armed groups from across the entire political spectrum who at one point or another during the war featured a firearm in their official crest. My goal is to present a statistical overview of the small arms used in this military imagery, and to share some interesting information I was able to deduct.
Podcast V24: The State of the Turkish Firearms Industry
In the 24th episode of the Silah Report Podcast, we interviewed Mustafa from Turkey, a professional in the Turkish firearm industry, and discussed in-depth the manufacturing of small arms in Turkey, covering a range of weaponry such as handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
The public SoundCloud version below includes the first forty-six minutes of the podcast, our supporters on Patreon can access the entire interview, which is over an hour long. So if you haven’t already please support us in our mission to bring you the best examination of MENA small arms culture we can!
Suicide Prevention Trigger Guard in Turkish Armed Forces
On March 12, 2015, offices of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) officially announced that rifles used in military service would be fitted with an enhanced trigger guard shell, flaring over the left and right sides of the factory trigger guard.[1] Some observers outside Turkey initially interpreted these enhanced trigger guards as an anti-riot modification or an apparatus that protects the triggers from external tampering in a struggle. The purpose of using these trigger guards, however, is darker than it appears. The concept was developed to prevent TAF soldiers from committing suicide using their G3 self-loading 7.62×51mm service rifles.
Kalashnikov & G3 Modifications on the Yemeni Market
This guest article was contributed by a Yemeni enthusiast who was able to show us some of the more unique and sometimes peculiar modifications that are made to small arms in Yemen. All photographs are locally sourced unless otherwise cited.
Generally, there is only one city that is known to modify small arms extensively in Yemen: Dhamar, in North Yemen (currently Houthi-controlled). Many of these modifications are done to shorten barrels, install side-folding stocks, or ‘modernise’ older rifles.
Pakistani Ordnance Factories Azb MK1 Designated Marksman Rifle
This guest post is written by Sikander Abbas, an avid reader, and supporter of Silah Report.
Pakistan Ordinance Factories (POF) is Pakistan’s largest defense industrial complex under the Ministry of Defence Production. Founded in 1951 by the government of Pakistan, POF produces and promotes a wide range of different types of infantry and special-purpose weapons, explosives, ammunition, mortars, rockets, and other military gear for Pakistan’s military.
Chambered in 7.62x51mm (NATO), the Azb DMR-MK1 is the new medium-range Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) and is developed by POF in 2014 which features a 20 inch cold hammer forged match grade bull barrel. The rifle was first introduced in the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, more commonly referred to as IDEAS in December 2014.
The rifle was produced during the time of when there was a joint military offensive conducted by the Pakistan Armed Forces against various militant groups in North Waziristan in 2014. The military operation was named Operation Zarb-e-Azb and according to members of the POF Production Board, the rifle is given the name Azb as a dedication to the soldiers who took part in the operation.
The sniper rifle is not a new design and it is basically a modification of Pakistani variant of H&K G3 assault rifle which is produced under license in POF. All parts are compatible and interchangeable with POF made G3A3 Rifle.
As said in the weapon description on POF website:
“With the changing nature of low-intensity operations, a strong need exists for a lightweight, accurate and semi-automatic hybrid sniper service rifle. Accordingly, a Designated Marksman’s Rifle (DMR) concept emerged. The POF DMR MK-1 meets the laid down conceptual requirements. It is manufactured from standard G3 parts and requires little deviation for manufacturing, maintenance and training. It can quickly and effectively engage fleeting multiple targets at range up to 600m.”
Technical Data:
Caliber 7.62 x 51 mm(NATO)
Operation Roller Locked Delayed Blow Back
Magazine 5/20 rounds Capacity
Overall Length 1055 mm (41.5 in)
Barrel length 508 mm (20 in) (4 Groove Rt. Hand Std.)
Weight (Empty Magazine) 4.94 Kg
Effective Range 600m
Accuracy 2 M0A at 100 Meter
Sights Telescopic sights
Butt Stock Plastic Fixed Butt Stock
Azb DMR is cost-effective, easy to produce, deploy and maintain and is compatible with a range of scopes, night vision and thermal optics.
Being a medium range, lightweight and with great accuracy, this DMR is ideal to cover incursion teams in close operations as well as in urban warfare.
Since its production, the rifle is used by military and other law enforcement agencies in Pakistan. The rifle also took part in several international defense exhibitions and is offered for exports.