First entering service in the late 1980's, the Israeli Military Industries (IMI) made GALAT'Z (the Hebrew anychrom for Galil Sniper Rifle) SWS was supposed to replace the Israeli modified M14 SWS as the standard long range infantry stile sniping rifle in the IDF. However, the GALAT'Z was expensive and more important it didn't represent any major improvements comparing to the M14. Finally, the IDF stayed with the M14 SWS for another decade until it was replaced by a "true" bolt action sniper rifle, the M24 SWS, in 1997. The GALAT'Z is especially favorite among the Israeli civilian special forces who engage targets only in short ranges, in which the GALAT'Z low semi auto accuracy is acceptable. It is also used as a designated marksman rifle in several special forces units within the IDF.

Right side of GALAT'Z with an El-Op nimrod 6X40 day optic. Note the GALAT'Z 20 7.62 rounds magazine, making it an excellent fire support and designated marksman weapon.

Left side of the GALAT'Z with bipod deployed. Note the unique quick detach clamp for the scope, fitted on the left side of the receiver rather then on top of it like in most other rifles. Originally, this clamp was design to able the operator to remove the day optic and mount a Night Vision Devise (NVD) quickly and without loosing zeroing. However, the clamp was very unstable and the optics needed to re-zeroed when remounted. At some point the IMI even made several such clamps for the Israeli Special Forces M14's.

With folded stock The GALAT'Z length is only 84.5 cm, much less from the M16A1/A2 assault rifles family,  not to mention other, longer SWS. This short length made it ideal for concealed caring until actual deployment. This feature, as well as its strong firepower, are the two main reasons why the GALAT'Z is so popular among the Mistaravim under cover units (both the civilian and military ones).

Civilian unit sniper with the GALAT'Z

The Israeli made TCI M89 sniper rifle (SR) is a bullpup version of the American M14 SWS. The weapon started his life cirqle as the Sirkis M36 SWS designed by Nehemia Sirkis and made by the Sardius Company. It later undergone heavy modification and improvement by the Technical Consultants International (TCI) company and was renamed as the M89SR SWS. Entering service in the IDF in the late 1980's, the short length of the M89SR SWS combined with its strong fire power, due to the M14's 20 7.62 rounds magazine, make it a very popular weapon in the Mistaravim under cover units (both the civilians and the military ones). Its compact design allow the M89SR SWS to be carry concealed conveniently until the actual operational deployment.

Note: the following photos are curtsey of the TCI company and are copyrighted by them.

M89SR with a Zeiss Diavari X3-X9  day optic and a sound suppressor.

Several TCI M89SR undergoing test shooting. Note that the fourth rifle from top is equipped with a sound suppressor.

In this photo, taken in the mid 90's, M89SR being fired by a female sniper instructor at the Mitkan Adam army base (the IDF's special training facility). The writing on the instructor's shirt back side  says "Sharpshooting And Sniper Branch" and the logo is the Israeli crossed rifles and a target sniper logo. This Brach, known in Hebrew as KALAT'Z, includes both the IDF's Sharpshooting school (which teaches designated marksman courses), as well as the IDF's sniper school. Note that the ammunition used (right side of the photo in blue casing) is the IDF's standard Israeli Military Industries (IMI) 168 grain M852 Sierra sniper round rather then the heavier more accurate 175 grain M118LR match ammunition now slowly entering service. The ear protection gear is made by Peltor and is standard issue in the IDF for sharpshooting and sniper instructors.

Originally, the Barrett 82A1 was designed for extreme long range sniping (over 1000 meters). However, its semi auto mechanism and the lack of proper .50 BMG caliber match grade ammunition contributed to the fact that the 82A1 is a rather low accuracy rifle. Therefor, the weapon's destination was switch from sniping to Hard Target Interdiction (HTI), hence shooting at light Armored Caring Vehicles (ACV), cars, through walls, etc. Sporadic samples of the rifle entered service in the IDF in the early 1990's and where used by the IDF's combat engineering corps long range bomb disposal unit (Unit YACHSAP) to blow up charges at a distance. In the mid 1990's the 82A1 entered the IDF's Special Forces in mass numbers for HTI missions purpose, and in 1997 the weapon entered all regular infantry-oriented units as a company level fire support weapon.

Female infantry Barrett 82A1 instructor during training exercise. Note that the 82A1 is not considered as a SWS in the IDF and therefor its operators don't undergo the snipers course held in the IDF's sniper school (located in the IDF's special training facility - the Mitkan Adam base). Instead, the operators pass a Barrett 82A1 usage course held in the IDF's infantry school base.

The need for a Suppressed 0.22 Sniper Rifle rose up when the Intifada (the Palestinian uprising against the Israeli regime in the occupied territories) broke out in 1987. The Israeli security forces needed a weapon with more firepower then the standard riot control rubber/plastic round, but at the same time less lethal then the 5.56 round of the M16/Galil family of assault rifles. A 0.22 sniper rifle, fitted with a low power scope and a Harris bipod, was selected and was supposed to be issued to all units, both Special Forces and regular ones. But like often happen in the shoe-string budget IDF, budget cuts prevent the weapon from being distributed in mass numbers and it was mainly given to Special Forces units. In fact, the Israeli special forces used the 0.22 rifle more as a "Hush Puppy" weapon design to silently and effectively eliminate disturbing dogs prior to operations, then as a riot control weapon, as originally intended.

Civilian unit sniper with the suppressed 0.22 sniper rifle (on the right) and a designated marksman (on the left) during the may 2000 Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the occupied territories.

Right view of the designated marksman system in use by a female infantry Sharpshooting instructor from the IDF's Sharpshooting school, located in the IDF's special training facility - the Mitkan Adam base. The instructor is also wearing a communication head set. Note that unlike the IDF's snipers the Israeli designated marksman don't undergo a formal training course. Instead, a staff member from each particular unit (usually a Non Commissioned Officer - NCO) attend a designated marksman instructors course in Mitkan Adam. Once passing the course, the NCO returns to his unit and pass his knowledge to the future designated marksman.

Left view of the designated marksman system in use by a member of the T'zanhanim (paratroopers) infantry brigade. Note the combo of the rails with whom the ACOG day optic is attached to the rifle - The upper rail is a two screws ARMS rail connected in its upper side to the selected optic and in its lower side to a one-screw M1913 Picatinny Rail. The lower side of the M1913 Picatinny Rail is in its turn connected to the rifle carry handle.

Israeli Border Guard (MAGAV) designated marksman during the May 2000 Israeli-Palestinian clashes in the occupied territories. Note the operator is wearing a riot helmet (with its Plexiglas shield up).