IMI Systems
 | |
Native name | Hebrew: תעש מערכות בע"מ |
|---|---|
| Formerly | Israel Military Industries |
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
| Industry | Arms industry |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Defunct | 25 November 2018 |
| Fate | Acquired by Elbit Systems |
| Successor | Elbit Systems Land Israel Weapon Industries |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Yitzhak Aharonovich (Chairman) Avi Felder (President and CEO) |
| Products | Weapons, combat vehicles, munitions |
| Owner | Government of Israel |
| Divisions | Fire Power Division Maneuverability Division Small Caliber Ammunition Division |
| Subsidiaries | Ashot Ashkelon Industries IMI Trading IMI Services IMI Academy |
| Website | www.imisystems.com |
IMI Systems, previously Israel Military Industries, also referred to as Ta'as (Hebrew: תע"ש מערכות ,התעשייה הצבאית), was an Israeli weapons manufacturer. The company manufactured weapons, munitions and military technology mainly for the Israeli security forces (especially Israel's army, the Israel Defense Forces or IDF).
On 25 November 2018, Elbit Systems completed the acquisition of IMI Systems and renamed it to Elbit Systems Land.[1]
Small arms
Israel Weapon Industries' small arms offerings are notable, with numerous well identified product names and de facto 'brands'. Examples are the Uzi submachine gun and the IMI Galil assault rifle, and the Negev light machine gun. In addition, such offerings as the Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol and Tavor assault rifle are globally recognized and marketed firearms.[2]
In the 1980s, an American firearms designer, Magnum Research, contracted IMI to re-design and manufacture a magnum caliber (.44 Magnum, .357 Magnum and .50 AE), resulting in the production of a semi-automatic pistol marketed as the Desert Eagle.[3]
In 2005, Israel Military Industries sold its Magen division (Small Arms Division) to Israeli privately owned holding company SK Group and renamed Israel Weapon Industries.[4]
Other products
IMI has dedicated factories manufacturing ammunition for firearms, artillery (both explosive rounds and rockets), tanks and air-to-ground (both stand-off and direct attack). Many of its products are standard NATO-compatible, but IMI also produces eastern bloc-caliber munitions.
Besides small arms, the IMI also produces heavy weapons. IMI engages in many upgrade projects for military vehicles (tanks, APCs and other armoured fighting vehicles). Upgrade components include firepower, survivability and maneuverability.
IMI also produces a wide range of defensive products such as vehicle add-on armor packages, landmine clearing systems, and reconnaissance systems and bridges. It also produces aircraft countermeasures, such as flares, decoys and electronic countermeasures control systems, some of which IMI now offers also for land- and sea-based platforms.
Products
Vehicles
- Wildcat APC MRAP
- COMBATGUARD armored combat vehicle
Rifles
Machine guns/pistols
Semi-automatic pistols
Missiles and launchers
Tank guns
- IMI 120 mm gun – Tank Gun
Bombs and grenades
Cluster munition
IMI produced, license-produced and exported cluster munition in the form of artillery projectiles, mortar bombs and rockets.[5][6]
Accessories
- CornerShot and related attachments
Armor add-ons
- Armor plating coat
- Explosive reactive armour
- Tractor protection kit (TPK) for Caterpillar D7
- Armor kit for Caterpillar D9 bulldozer (L\N)
- Iron Fist active protection system - Active protection system (APS)
Security training
IMI also provides military training to the Israeli citizens. IMI contracts its services to outside countries that need security and military training. The clients come to IMI in Israel for months of security and V.I.P. training.[7]
Metropolitan College of New York
Israel Military Industries also has a partnership with the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY) in New York City. Metropolitan College of New York offers a classroom based Master's In Public Administration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. In addition, all students go to Israel for an intensive study abroad seminar covering Homeland Security and Anti-Terrorism topics with Israel's top security and military experts.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "You are being redirected..." elbitsystems.com. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel. "Israeli arms sales doubled in a decade, hit new record of $12.5 billion in 2022". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Desert Eagle Pistol | MilitaryToday.com". www.militarytoday.com. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel. "Israeli arms sales doubled in a decade, hit new record of $12.5 billion in 2022". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Use, Production, Trade, and Stockpiling". Flooding South Lebanon: Israel’s Use of Cluster Munitions in Lebanon in July and August 2006 (Report). Human Rights Watch.
- ^ Yossi Melman (Nov 4, 2008). "Human Rights Watch Charges Georgia Used Defective Israeli-made Cluster Bombs". Haaretz.
- ^ [1] Archived April 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Emergency and Disaster Management Degree – Metropolitan College of New York". Archived from the original on 2006-09-03. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
External links
- Official website
- Israeli Weapons Industry (formerly IMI small arms division)
- How a fake kibbutz was built to hide a bullet factory - Early days in IMI's history
