The Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces have completed the distribution of thousands of advanced Arad rifles to rapid response teams in border villages across the country. This initiative, valued at around $31 million, is part of a broader effort to strengthen community defense capabilities following lessons learned from the October 7 attack. The agreement also provides a decade of maintenance support and includes the transfer of advanced optical sights from military stocks. Officials say the move will standardize and upgrade the equipment available to local teams, ensuring they are better prepared to respond to future threats.