The Ma’ariv newspaper reports that the The Israel Defense Force has begun transitioning their reserve units from the old M16 rifle to the Tavor, the standing army’s primary service rifle. The transition will take a number of years because the reserve units have a limited number of training days.

Israel is notorious for keeping gun in service and the M16 will likely be retired to rear echelon service units, police, militia and for other miscellaneous security purposes. M1 Carbines are still issued by the Israeli Police to licensed tour guides, school teachers and Civil Guards.