Israel's army phases out Uzi

ISRAEL’S military is phasing out the legendary Uzi submachine gun, calling it antiquated and replacing it with more sophisticated, electronics-outfitted weaponry.

But the Uzi, a national icon and the country's most famous contribution to the arms industry, will still be produced and exported, to the presumable delight of drug dealers, secret service agents and Hollywood action heroes alike.

Israel's military took the simply-constructed, half-century-old weapon out of frontline units two decades ago, but continued to issue it to some elite units and soldiers carrying heavy gear who needed a light weapon for self-defence.