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The IMBEL is an assault rifle of Brazilian origin. It was developed by IMBEL (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil ) in the 1990's to replace the not very successful MD2. The IMBEL is a much modified version of the MD2 assault rifle, which in turn was based on the Belgian FAL battel rifle.
The IMBEL uses a mechanism similar to the FAL, although a different form of locking is used. The IMBEL uses a short stroke gas piston and has a rotating bolt. Compared to the MD2 it is much lighter due a lighter receiver and much thinner barrel. As a result it heats up faster and the barrel life is only 6000 rounds. Externally the IMBEL looks very similar to the FAL Para since it uses the same handguard, pistol grip and folding stock. Accessory rails are not fitted as standard. Recently an A2 model was presented with new polymer furniture.
The IMBEL fires the 5.56x45mm NATO round from a 30 round STANAG magazine. It is a select fire rifle with a very high cyclic rate of fire of 850 to 950 rpm. The maximum effective range is 400 meters. The IMBEL carbine fires semi-automatic only out to a maximum range of 300 meters. A M203 grenade launcher can be fitted but it is impossible to launch rifle grenades.