Jerusalem, 8 October, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli arms manufacturer ARI Arms has inaugurated a rifle factory in Azerbaijan, creating the country’s first facility producing Western-designed firearms, Israeli media reported on Thursday.
The plant, owned by the Azerbaijani government, will manufacture M4-style rifles under a joint venture between ARI Arms, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense Industry, and local company Iqlim Scientific Production Enterprise.
ARI Arms is providing the technology and expertise, while full local production was a condition of the agreement.
Until now, the facility had produced only Kalashnikov rifles.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the factory’s inauguration, reflecting Baku’s drive to develop domestic defense manufacturing and acquire Western technology.
ARI Arms, located in Emek Hefer south of Hadera, is owned by Avichai Stolero and Oren Ankonina, employs about 60 people, and has previously secured defense contracts with Israel, the Philippines, and Albania.
