Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Dutch firm AIA will make Israeli-designed firearms in the Netherlands
Dutch defence company AIA will make firearms designed by Israeli maker IWI under a new agreement.
The two models are the Arad 5 infantry rifle and the Negev UX light machine gun.
The weapons are intended for European markets and NATO partners, though the companies have not disclosed the deal’s value.
AIA has bought the technical information and expertise needed to build them.
AIA director Gerard Zondervan says the firearms can be used to shoot down drones and argues that Europe should make more weapons locally.
Production will begin in Tilburg, where AIA is based, before moving to a larger site the company has bought in Overijssel.
Dutch defense company AIA has agreed to produce Israeli-designed firearms made by Israeli manufacturer IWI.
The planned products are the Arad 5 infantry rifle and the Negev UX light machine gun.
The weapons are intended for the European market and NATO partners.
Production will initially take place in Tilburg, with plans to move it later to Overijssel.
AIA director Gerard Zondervan described the agreement as a business transaction and said he would not involve himself in politics.
- Who
- Dutch defense company AIA and Israeli arms manufacturer IWI.
- What
- AIA will produce the Arad 5 infantry rifle and Negev UX light machine gun under an agreement with IWI.
- When
- The agreement was reported on November 9, 2026. The production start date is not stated.
- Where
- Production will initially be in Tilburg, Netherlands, and later move to Overijssel.
- Why
- The weapons are intended for the European market and NATO partners. AIA’s director said the deal would support weapons production in Europe.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Reports said AIA had reached an agreement with IWI to produce two Israeli-designed weapons.
The weapons will be made in Tilburg.
Production is planned to move to Overijssel, where AIA has bought a larger site.
- Dutch producer
- AIA
- Israeli partner
- IWI
- Rifle
- Arad 5 infantry rifle
- Light machine gun
- Negev UX
- Initial production location
- Tilburg
- Planned later production location
- Overijssel
2 sources
What people are saying
Europa roept: we moeten op eigen benen staan. Dan moeten we ook in Europa wapens gaan maken.
Het is gewoon een zakelijke transactie. Ik ga me niet bezighouden met politiek, anders gebeurt er niets.