The Pistols of the Israeli Army: From Standard Issue to Special Forces

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), renowned for its highly specialized and advanced weaponry, have a unique approach to sidearm usage. Unlike many other military forces around the world, the standard issue pistols for regular infantry are not commonly distributed. Instead, handguns are mainly issued to special force units and specific units such as military police.

Common Sidearms for Special Forces

One of the most well-known sidearms used by special forces is the IWI Jericho 941. This semi-automatic pistol is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, offering 10 or 15 rounds in the magazine, and is both comfortable and reliable to shoot. The Jericho 941 is an Israeli clone of the CZ-75, drawing many similarities in design and performance.

In addition to the Jericho 941, Israeli special forces also utilize other pistols such as the Glock 17 and Glock 19. These popular pistols are favored by many due to their lightweight and ergonomic design, making them ideal for quick draws and operations under stress. For some missions, alternative pistols like the SIG Sauer P226 and the Micro-Uzi may also be used, depending on the specific requirements of the mission.

Standard Issue Pistols and Historical Context

For most regular infantry personnel, handguns are not typically issued. This was historically the case, with the primary arms for soldiers being longarms such as the TAR-21 assault rifle, which fires the 5.65x45mm round. This rifle, a variant of the Tavor, is used across various branches of the IDF, including those specializing in different roles such as tank crew and paratroopers.

Historically, handguns as standard issue firearms for the IDF were not prevalent until after the 1972 Sabena Flight 571 hijacking. This event marked a significant turning point, as handguns were not used by IDF units until this incident. The unit that conducted the raid on the plane was initially not equipped with handguns; however, they received them a day before the operation. Interestingly, some members of the raiding party were former IDF special forces soldiers who worked as air marshals for ElAl, a major Israeli airline.

Training and Usage

While handguns are not part of the standard equipment issued to combat units, they are an essential part of training for select units, particularly those in the frameworks of special forces and law enforcement. For the greater part, regular Israeli soldiers and officers are only required to train with longarm platforms, such as assault rifles and machine guns.

In sum, the pistols used by the Israeli Army serve various purposes, from standard issue for special forces to specialized mission requirements. These weapons, alongside the IDF's advanced longarm systems, underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the force's arsenal.