IWI CTAR-21
Israel Weapon Industries · Assault Rifle · In Service · 2001
Also known as: Commando Tavor, Tavor CTAR, Tavor 21 Commando, TAR-21 Commando
Overview
The IWI CTAR-21 (Commando Tavor) is the short-barrelled carbine variant of the Israeli Tavor TAR-21 bullpup assault rifle, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and produced by Israel Weapon Industries. Originally developed for special forces and commando units who needed a more compact weapon than the standard 460mm-barrel TAR-21, the CTAR-21 trims the barrel to 380mm (15 inches) for an overall length of just 640mm - comparable to a folded MP5 - while retaining full 5.56 NATO ballistics, select-fire capability, and the long-stroke gas piston action of the larger Tavor. The bullpup configuration places the action and 30-round STANAG magazine behind the trigger group, allowing the carbine to remain fully shoulderable despite its very short length. The CTAR-21 became unexpectedly popular with regular IDF infantry beyond the originally-targeted commando role, and saw extensive service with paratroopers, Givati, and Golani brigade units before being progressively superseded by the Tavor X95 (Micro-Tavor) from 2009 onward.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3230 g (113.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3700 g (130.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 640 mm (25.20") |
| Barrel Length | 380 mm (14.96") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 890 m/s (2920 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1583 J (1168 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 450 m (492 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2400 m (2625 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington, SS109, M855
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stanag Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Long Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Picatinny Top Rail, Ambidextrous Operation, Reversible Ejection, Qd Sling Points, Suppressor Compatible
Variants
- TAR-21 (standard) — Base Model
- STAR-21 (Sharpshooter) — Designated Marksman
- Tavor X95 / Micro-Tavor — Successor
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 2003 · as CTAR-21
- Indian Army Special Forces · as CTAR-21
- Georgian Armed Forces · as CTAR-21
- Macedonian Special Forces · as CTAR-21
Conflicts
- Second Lebanon War (2006)
- Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)
- Operation Protective Edge (2014)
- Israel-Hamas War (2023-present)
Production
Production years: 2001-present
Produced as part of the wider TAR-21 family; exact CTAR-specific figures undisclosed by IWI. Largely superseded in front-line IDF service by the Tavor X95 from 2009 but still in use with several special forces units.
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Designer: Israel Military Industries / IWI engineering team
Notes
The CTAR-21 retains the TAR-21's rear-set magazine release (located behind the magazine well, AK-style), a feature later moved forward of the trigger guard in the X95. Standard sighting was the ITL MARS reflex/laser combo or a Trijicon ACOG TA31 mounted to the full-length top rail. The CTAR can mount the IWI GTAR-21 underbarrel grenade launcher. Cyclic rate is generally cited between 750 and 950 rpm depending on ammunition. The carbine is suppressor-compatible via a removable A2-style flash hider.
Background
The CTAR-21 was originally meant as a niche commando carbine - a Tavor for tank crews and door-kickers who couldn't swing the full-length rifle in tight spaces. But Israeli infantry quickly noticed they could lose 175mm of length and a kilo of weight with no real loss of effective range, and the CTAR ended up displacing the standard TAR across whole brigades long before IWI officially declared the X95 its replacement.