BLUE-AND-WHITE WEAPONRY: SAFEGUARDING ISRAEL'S SECURITY, EVEN IN TIMES OF CRISIS

In the first months of the war that followed October 7, 2023, Israel's defense establishment purchased over 25,000 rifles from Emtan, a leading Israeli manufacturer of small arms for the military and law enforcement.
"They included MZ-4 and MZ-4P assault rifles for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Police and the hundreds of newly formed emergency response units countrywide," says Ron Pollak, Emtan's VP for Sales & Marketing. "We also produced tens of thousands of pistols for both private and government clients in Israel, as well as customized weapons to meet field requirements of special forces."
All these Emtan weapons underwent rigorous testing, says Pollak, including tens of thousands of rounds in wear-tests, before approval. "Our firearms passed the tests and were selected as standard-issue weapons for those units - clear evidence of the country's reliance on Israeli manufactured weapons production during emergencies. It also reinforced why Israel must strengthen its partnership with domestic arms industries and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Our national security independence depends on it."
The war highlighted not just the importance of a local arms industry, but one that is capable of independent, in-house manufacturing, unaffected by international supply chains. "Governments around the world sometimes block the export not only of military-grade products but also of dual-use items that could be used for defense purposes," explains Pollak. "That leaves local companies, who depend on imported parts, unable to deliver. Full domestic manufacture, from start to finish, is vital !"

Advanced manufacturing excellence
Emtan was founded in 1977 by Reuven Zada as a small, family-run business producing precision-machined parts for Israel's defense sector. By the early 1980s, it was producing components for iconic weapons such as the Galil, Jericho and Uzi for the Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Rafael, and in the 1990s, it became an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for European firearms producers. Since then, it has grown into a fully independent producer of rifles, pistols, submachine guns, sniper rifles and barrels, leveraging cutting-edge technology.
With factories based in Karmiel, the company expanded its capacity this past year with a second facility, adding dozens of CNC machines and a robotic production line. Todayit operates more than 100 advanced machines and uses the most advanced weapon manufacturing technologies.
"Our entire production is Israeli ",Pollak proudly notes. "We make all our firearms in our Karmiel factories, without any external party that could disrupt our supply chain. Very few weapon manufacturers anywhere handle design, engineering and production of every component under a single roof, like this."
All prototypes undergo a long approval process prior to mass production. This includes durability and extreme-condition testing, full safety validation, and field and operational trials. Any problem sends the design back until a perfect product is achieved.

Global markets and war-time adaptation
"Prior to October 7, about 90 percent of our firearms were sold to government agencies in countries in Europe, Asia, and across Africa and Latin America," says Pollak. "Since then, we've redirected production to meet urgent domestic demand. Now, with local needs stabilizing, we're gradually resuming these international operations."
The hiatus has not been without challenges. "We're feeling the impact of the war - cancelled orders, delays, reluctance to allow Israeli companies to participate in tenders and other barriers we didn't face before," he recounts. "But we remain internationally competitive, thanks to the quality of our firearms and our fast delivery times, which give us an edge, even over more established brands."

Meeting NATO standards: the MZ4 family
Emtan produces a wide array of firearms, including its flagship MZ4 rifle series (5.56mm), used in and outside Israel. These rifles range from a lightweight 2.7 kg model with monolithic MLOK upper receivers (allowing tactical accessory attachments lights, foregrips, bipods and more) to the MZ-4P, a rugged, NATO-approved rifle designed for harsh desert and jungle environments.
Classic standard variants include the MZ4 11.5" and 14.5" rifles used by the IDF and Israeli security forces. Emtan also manufactures the MZ9 submachine gun and the rugged, high-performance Ramon 9 mm pistol, both NATO-approved and in active use with Israeli and European forces.
In the sniper domain, Emtan offers the MZ-10 semi-automatic sniper rifle, featuring a dedicated suppressor and a unique internal gas regulator system that allows rapid transition between subsonic, supersonic and bolt-action 'silent' modes.
The company's aerospace experience enables it to use advanced materials that double the lifespan of weapon components. Each model undergoes high-volume stress-testing to identify and resolve vulnerabilities.

The ultimate challenge: barrel manufacturing
"Barrel production is a key performance benchmark for any arms manufacturer," says Pollak. "Producing barrels in-house, like producing all components, is part of our core mission. We manufacture 14,000 military-standard barrels every month using advanced robotic systems. These barrels are tested with tens of thousands of rounds and exceed accuracy standards by 50 percent."

Next-Gen suppressors with global recognition
Emtan recently unveiled its second-generation suppressors, compatible with its own and otherrifles, at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The suppressors won the fair's Innovation Award for their durability, light weight and compliance with SOCOM and NATO standards for long-term performance under extreme conditions. Now deployed by elite units in Israel and worldwide, these suppressors are available in all calibers (7.62 mm, 9 mm, 5.56 mm and .300 BLK), and passed all military-grade evaluations, including for machine guns.
"We worked with special forces professionals to develop these suppressors," says Pollak. "The result? Lightweight suppressors that reduce noise to below 135 decibels, improve accuracy by at least 20 percent and reduce gas blowback by 60 percent, making for cleaner and more efficient firing."
With advanced 3D printing and the composite materials used in their production, the suppressors feature dual-pressure forward-flow chambers for optimal gas management and cooling. Emtan has also developed a gas regulator that allows switching between suppressed and standard modes at the push of a button (even mid-mission) compatible with both DGIS (Direct Gas Impingement System) and piston-operated rifles.

Why suppressors matter more than ever
"In modern military and security forces, suppressors are no longer optional," says Pollak. "They're essential for clear communication, to reduce friendly-fire risk (since most adversaries don't use suppressors) and, most importantly, to minimize shockwaves that can cause serious brain and hearing injuries." In urban warfare, such as theongoing conflict in Gaza, suppressors help prevent harmful shockwave reverberations in enclosed spaces. They also reduce long-term medical costs, making them both a health safeguard and an economic investment.
"We're proud to lead the production of Israel manufactured suppressors with a production capacity of 3,000 units per month," says Pollak.

Emtan's defining feature: Responsive Innovation
"Over the years, Emtan has become a hub of innovation and knowledge for small arms and accessories for security forces around the world. "Thanks to our in-house R&D, manufacturing and supply capabilities, we provide immediate solutions to emerging battlefield needs," says Pollak. "We're proud to be at the global forefront and we never forget that the weapons we build save lives, protect civilians and maintain public order worldwide."

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