Israel Weapon Industries and AIA to establish production in Netherlands

Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), a subsidiary of SK Group, and the Dutch defense company Artillerie Inrichtingen Armaments (AIA) have reached an agreement to launch local production and assembly of weaponry in the Netherlands.

The partnership will utilize AIA facilities in Tilburg to manufacture and assemble the Arad 5 infantry rifle and the Negev UX machine gun. The project is planned to proceed in stages, beginning with assembly, moving to partial production, and eventually aiming for full domestic production. IWI will provide the necessary technology, product knowledge, and manufacturing know-how, while AIA will develop the production capacity and infrastructure required for technical support and product lifecycle management.

AIA CEO Gerard Zondervan stated that the Netherlands needs to develop the capacity to produce, specialize in, and support the defense systems upon which its security depends. The company noted that the agreement was made without the involvement of the Dutch government.

The announcement follows protests in Amsterdam regarding Israel's actions in Palestinian territories. Organizers of a protest titled ‘Red Line’ claimed approximately 200,000 people participated in a demonstration calling for the Dutch government to adopt a firmer stance against Israel.