The IMBEL IA2 is a modernized Brazilian rifle that replaced various rifles with a single universal service rifle, offering improved features and modularity while becoming the main priority for the Brazilian military.
In 2008, the Brazilian military decided to replace its various rifles with a single universal service rifle, aiming to streamline logistics and training. The task was assigned to IMBEL, a government armory responsible for producing small arms. Initially, the IMBEL MD97 was developed but failed to meet the military’s standards, leading to the creation of the IA2 rifle. Drawing inspiration from the FN FAL, the IA2 adopted a short-stroke gas-piston design and incorporated the FAL’s ergonomics and iron sights. It improved upon the FAL by chambering a 5.56mm variant, using STANAG NATO magazines, and allowing modularity for accessories like optics and grenade launchers. The IA2 comes in different sizes and calibers, with a rotating bolt for the 5.56 variant and a tilting breechblock design for the 7.62 variant. The 5.56 variant uses STANAG magazines while the 7.62 variant sticks to FN FAL magazines. The IA2 has become the main priority for the Brazilian military, and various modern accessories, including red dot sights and foregrips, have been adopted for the weapon. Overall, the IA2 represents a noteworthy modernization of the FAL and stands as one of the notable assault rifles in South America.
Source: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/brazils-ia2-service-rifles-from-around-the-world/
