IWI and Dutch Firm to Build Local Weapon Production Line

Israel Weapon Industries and Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments will begin manufacturing and assembling IWI weapon systems in the Netherlands. The two companies announced the planned cooperation on Monday. IWI, the primary weapons supplier for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police, is known for developing the Uzi submachine gun. Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments, or AIA, will handle the Dutch side of the operation.

Under the agreement, AIA will produce the ARAD 5 rifle and the NEGEV UX at a new factory in the Netherlands. IWI will supply the underlying technology, product expertise, and manufacturing know-how. AIA will establish the manufacturing infrastructure and provide lifecycle support for the products. The companies stated that assembly will initially take place at AIA's site in Tilburg. They noted the possibility of relocating to a different site in the near future.

Production will follow a phased approach. It will start with assembly, move to partial production in the Netherlands, and eventually reach full domestic production. AIA did not provide specific timeframes or investment figures for these stages. The company also stated that the Dutch government was not involved in the agreement. The partnership aims to create a foundation for long-term domestic production and technical expertise in the country.

Ronen Hamudot, Vice Chairman of SK Group, said the cooperation brings decades of experience in developing weapon platforms for demanding environments into a new industrial setting. He stated that the future of defense manufacturing depends on turning proven technology into operational capability where needed. Hamudot added that the focus remains on delivering reliable solutions while building long-term manufacturing relationships.

Gerard Zondervan, CEO of AIA, emphasized that a strong Dutch industrial base is fundamental to national security. He said the Netherlands needs the ability to manufacture and support the defense systems on which its security depends. Zondervan described the cooperation as a step toward a future where Dutch industry plays a greater role in delivering defense capabilities.

The announcement came one day after a large protest in Amsterdam. Approximately 200,000 people gathered to protest the Dutch government’s policy toward Israel. The event was the fourth in a series of “red line” demonstrations that began in May 2025. The first protest in May drew around 100,000 participants. The previous demonstration in October 2025 attracted an estimated 250,000 people. Thirteen organizations, including Oxfam Novib, Amnesty International, and Save the Children, backed the Sunday gathering.

Participants in the protest demanded that the Dutch government take stronger action against Israel. The demonstrations have grown in size since their inception. Oxfam Novib, a Dutch NGO, organized the first event. The movement has continued to expand over the past year.