Negev NG7
Israel Weapon Industries · Machine Gun · In Production · 2012
Also known as: IWI Negev 7.62, Negev NG-7, Negev 7
Overview
The Negev NG7 is an Israeli 7.62x51mm NATO light machine gun manufactured by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). Introduced in 2012, the NG7 is the 7.62mm variant of the Negev light machine gun family, designed to provide infantry units with greater range and terminal effect compared to the original 5.56mm Negev. The weapon employs a gas-operated, short-stroke piston system firing from an open bolt position, with select-fire capability offering both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. The NG7 features a cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined CrMoV steel barrel with a quick-change system, allowing rapid barrel replacement during sustained fire operations. The standard model has a 508mm barrel and achieves a muzzle velocity of approximately 860 m/s, with an effective range of 1,000 meters against area targets. The weapon feeds from NATO-standard disintegrating link belts carried in clip-on belt boxes of 100 or 125 rounds. At 7.95 kg empty, the NG7 is notably lighter than most 7.62mm belt-fed machine guns, making it one of the lightest weapons in its class. The weapon features a folding and adjustable polymer buttstock, full-length Picatinny rail system, tritium-illuminated iron sights with gradations from 300 to 1,000 meters, and a two-position gas regulator. The NG7 was adopted by the Israel Defense Forces in 2012 and has been exported to numerous countries.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 7950 g (280.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1100 mm (43.31") |
| Folded Length | 730 mm (28.74") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 125 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 860 m/s (2822 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3513 J (2591 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Chrome Lined Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm, 7.62mm NATO
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Disintegrating Link Belt
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Open Bolt System
- Features: Quick Change Barrel, Chrome Lined Barrel, Cold Hammer Forged Barrel, Folding Bipod, Folding Buttstock, Adjustable Buttstock, Picatinny Rail, Select Fire, Gas Regulator, Tritium Iron Sights, Belt Fed, Air Cooled, Dust Cover
Variants
- Negev NG7 SF — Compact
- Negev NG5 — Original 5-56mm
- Negev Commando — Compact 5-56mm
Service history
Operators
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 2012
- Estonian Defence Forces
- Colombian Armed Forces · as Negev
- Georgian Armed Forces · as Negev
- Indian Armed Forces · as Negev
- Royal Thai Armed Forces · adopted 2007 · as Negev
- Ukrainian Armed Forces · as Negev
- Vietnam People's Army · as Negev
- Polish Armed Forces · as Negev
- Mexican Armed Forces · as Negev
Conflicts
- Gaza Conflicts (2008-present)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
Production
Production years: 2012-present
Exact production numbers not publicly disclosed; adopted by Israel and exported to numerous countries
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Notes
The Negev NG7's remarkably low weight of under 8 kg for a 7.62mm belt-fed machine gun is achieved through extensive use of aluminum alloy in the receiver and modern manufacturing techniques. The SF (Special Forces) variant further reduces the barrel length to 420mm and overall length to 1,100mm extended / 730mm folded, with a slightly reduced muzzle velocity of 810 m/s and effective range of 800 meters. The weapon has two gas settings: a standard setting for normal conditions producing 600-750 rpm, and a harsh conditions setting that increases the rate to approximately 1,000 rpm for reliable cycling in adverse environments. Iron sights feature tritium inserts for low-light acquisition, graduated from 300 to 1,000 meters on the standard model and 300 to 800 meters on the SF variant. During the Gaza conflict, Israeli infantry brigades began transitioning from the 5.56mm Negev to the NG7 for increased firepower. An Indian derivative developed by BSS Materiel Limited incorporates AI-controlled automatic target detection and friend-foe classification capabilities. The weapon accepts standard NATO disintegrating link belts and is designed for maximum interoperability with allied forces.
Background
At under 8 kg empty, the Negev NG7 is one of the lightest 7.62mm NATO belt-fed machine guns in the world, weighing less than many 5.56mm light machine guns. The Israeli Defense Forces began transitioning from the original 5.56mm Negev to the NG7 after combat experience showed the need for greater range and terminal effect at squad level.