Origin: Israel
Year: 1972
Type: Assault rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm
Weight: 3.95 kg (8.7 lb)
Length: 987 mm (38.9 in)
Barrel length: 460 mm (18.1 in)
Capacity: 35 rds (50 rd mag available, adapter to allow use of M16 mags also available)

In the late 1960s and early '70s, the Israeli military sought a replacement for their FAL rifles. Among the designs considered was Yisrael Galil's design, an adaptation of the Finnish Valmet, itself an improvement of the Soviet-standard Kalashnikov rifle. Chambered of the United States' issued 5.56mm NATO cartridge, the Galil was adopted into IDF service in 1972 and soon proved to be a capable, if somewhat heavy, combat rifle. The Galil was produced in various sizes ranging from PDW-sized weapons with an approximately 8.5" barrel to 20" barreled sniper rifles. The Galil was also adapted to other calibers, including those for the export market, such as 7.62mm NATO and 7.62x39mm.

The Galil's time in service with the Israeli Defense Forces came to an end when American-made M16s and later Israeli-produced Tavors began to replace it in the 1990s and 2000s. However, the rifle continues to soldier on elsewhere in the world in the hands of soldiers from around the world. Notable users of the Galil in form or another include Vietnam, Peru, Colombia, South Africa (including their own locally produced version, the Vektor R4), and India. The rifle has also proven fairly popular on the American market with original IMI Galils, Century Arms clones, and homebuilt parts kit rifles all being available. More recently, Israeli Weapons Industries has begun production of the Galil ACE (a 7.62x39mm Galil which uses AK mags) in the United States for the American market.