About IWI
Our story
Based in Andersonville, Tennessee, IWI US’s story now spans nearly a century of evolution in manufacturing and small arms development.
In 1933 Israel Military Industries (IMI) Ltd. began firearms production in Israel, under the British Mandate. In the late 1950’s this manufacturing base expanded into development, IMI began collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the goal of developing the most technologically advanced small arms systems based upon the demands of troops fighting in urban areas and harsh environments. The unique combat conditions experienced by the IDF required a new paradigm in firearms development. The results included the most innovative, recognizable, and even legendary firearm designs used by militaries, law enforcement agencies and security personnel around the world.
First was the iconic UZI, later the TAVOR, X95, NEGEV, GALIL, GALIL ACE, and JERICHO all came onto the scene as various needs arose and IMI rose to meet them.
In 2005, the Israeli government decided to spin off and privatize the small arms division of IMI and Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd. was born. The joint Research & Development team of IWI and the IDF continued to develop small arms based upon the dynamic changes in real-world applications due to the ongoing threat of global terrorism and the needs unique to its international consumers.
The intensive and continuous use of IWI’s product by the IDF and its global partners enable the company to continue to innovate new products and optimize existing models. All of our weapon systems are produced and assembled in compliance with the most stringent military (MIL-STD) and ISO 9001.2008 standards.
IWI US, Inc. began operations in 2013 and brought the first commercial versions of the Tavor SAR to the US market. The Tavor achieved immediate success, winning the prestigious 2014 “Rifle of the Year” Golden Bullseye award from NRA Publication’s American Rifleman Magazine. A few short years later, NRA’s Shooting Illustrated Magazine chose the next-generation Tavor X95 as its 2017 “Rifle of the Year” Golden Bullseye award recipient. IWI US was also honored two years in a row by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) as winner of the 2014 and 2015 Importer of the Year awards. With the move to Tennessee in 2025, IWI is putting additional manufacturing and development resources within the United States to take advantage of the market resources and increased access to the national and international demand and development streams.
Together, IWI International and US worked to further expand product offerings, introducing striker fired modular pistols with the MASADA product family. The continued growth of IWI US saw the beginning of US based firearm manufacturing with the introduction of the ZION rifle line of ARs and continues to open the door for other innovative designs for the US market, in keeping with the stringent standards for which the IWI brand is known.
IWI US’s Law Enforcement Division was launched in 2014 and quickly shepherded the adoption of the TAVOR SAR and TAVOR X95 in the first US LE agencies. With the addition of the ZION 15 and 25 rifle lines, IWI US directly supports the most popular and prolific rifle design in US law enforcement with made-to-order agency support.
IWI US, Inc. is a proud member of the SK Group, owned by Mr. Samy Katsav, a leading group of global Defense and Security companies that includes: IWI – Israel Weapons Industries Ltd.; IWI US, Inc., Meprolight Ltd. (electro-optical systems), Camero-Tech Ltd. (through-the-wall sensing systems), Israel Shipyards Ltd. (ship manufacturing and repair), Uni-scope Ltd. (optical periscopes, riflescopes and binoculars), Elvo-Hellenic Vehicle Industries and more.
