Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and Director General of the Ministry of Defense, retired Gen. Amir Baram, presented the Defense Procurement Committee with a comprehensive plan to accelerate the production of Israeli armored vehicles and increase production capacity by dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers over the next five years, worth more than 5 billion NIS.
Merkava Mk. 4 Barak / Photo: Israeli Ministry of Defense
The Armored Vehicle Acceleration Project initiative will be led by the Merkava Tank & Armored Vehicle Administration (MANTAK) within Israel’s Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD), the Planning Department, and the Directorate for IDF Ground Forces, Technology, and Logistics. Under the program, new Merkava Mk. 4 Barak tanks (previously designated Mk. 5 Barak), Namer tracked armored personnel carriers, and Eitan 8×8 wheeled armored personnel carriers will be procured, including an infantry fighting vehicle configuration with the uncrewed Mate 30 turret, equipped with a 30 mm Bushmaster Mk 44 automatic cannon (effective range 2,500 m) and a Rafael ADS Spike MR/LR anti-tank guided missile launcher.
The production acceleration will be carried out in parallel with the expansion of the necessary industrial infrastructure, as part of the defense-industrial base resilience strategy initiated by the Ministry’s Director General.
The decision to acquire additional tanks and armored personnel carriers stems directly from the successes of these platforms in recent combat operations and the ongoing modernization of IDF capabilities. Since the beginning of Operation Iron Swords, these platforms have accumulated over one million kilometers in operational use.
The Armored Vehicle Acceleration Project will now be submitted to the Joint Defense Budget Committee in the Knesset. Once approved, the Ministry of Defense will be able to begin signing procurement contracts worth billions of shekels with dozens of companies.
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz:
“Operation Iron Swords has demonstrated the vital role Merkava tanks, Namer, and Eitan armored personnel carriers play in the success of IDF ground operations. Today’s approval of this project, valued at more than 5 billion shekels, to accelerate the development of armored vehicles, is a strategic decision that maintains the IDF’s qualitative military edge and our ability to dominate in every arena. This project enhances both the IDF’s capabilities and those of hundreds of defense companies nationwide, many of which are based in Israel’s periphery, illustrating the close connection between national security and economic growth. We will not compromise on Israel’s security and will continue to invest in our forces to protect the future of the country.”
Amir Baram, Director General of the Ministry of Defense, retired general:
“During Operation Iron Swords, the fleet of advanced IDF armored vehicles proved its decisive role in maneuver warfare. The achievements of the Merkava, Namer, and Eitan on the battlefield are of global significance. Accelerating armored vehicle production is part of the Ministry’s strategy to support the IDF’s needs in the current conflict and to enhance readiness for the upcoming intense decade. At the same time, we continually improve the capabilities of these vehicles and develop the next generation of advanced armored vehicles for the IDF.”
FPV Drones
The Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) of Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that the domestic company XTEND has won a contract worth millions of USD to supply thousands of FPV (First Person View) drones equipped with advanced technology for the Israeli Ground Forces (Zro’a Ha-Yabasha). The project is being implemented by the Directorate for IDF Ground Forces, Technology, and Logistics.
Photo: XTEND
The procurement, overseen by the Deputy for Aerial and Naval Procurement at the DPD, is part of a comprehensive strategy led by Ministry of Defense Director General, retired Gen. Amir Baram, aimed at strengthening Israel’s defense production capacity and local industry, while maintaining full support for the operational needs of the armed forces both now and in the coming intense decade.
The drones will be delivered in the coming months, along with comprehensive training and instructional programs provided by the contractor. They are expected to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Ground Forces while providing optimal solutions to the challenges of modern warfare.
KC-46A Pegasus
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has approved the purchase of two additional Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker-transport aircraft, which will join the four contracted in 2022 (Israel was granted approval for the purchase of four aircraft with an option for four more).
Photo: Boeing
The Director General of the Ministry of Defense, retired Gen. Amir Baram, instructed the Defense Procurement Directorate (DPD) delegation in the U.S. to sign an agreement with the federal government, after the contract was approved the evening before yesterday by the Ministry’s Defense Procurement Committee.
The new aircraft will be equipped with Israeli systems and adapted to the operational needs of the Air Force. The contract is estimated to be worth USD 500 million. It is financed through the U.S. military aid package, which is valued at USD 38 billion for the period 2018–2028. This marks a significant step in the comprehensive preparation process for the third and fourth procurement cycles managed by the Ministry of Defense for the Israel Defense Forces.
Director General of the Ministry of Defense, retired Gen. Amir Baram:
“The fifth and sixth tankers will strengthen the Air Corps, the IDF’s strategic, long-range arm, enabling it to reach distant areas with greater power and range. We will continue our cooperation to strengthen the IDF in the current campaign and to face future challenges.”
President of Boeing Israel, Maj. Gen. (res.) Ido Nehushtan:
“Boeing is proud of its longstanding partnership with Israel, which dates back to the country’s founding. Expanding the agreement with two additional tankers will strengthen the Israeli Air Corps by providing the most advanced aerial refueling aircraft in the world.”
According to the latest information, the first of the four aircraft ordered three years ago has already been assembled by Boeing. The new aircraft will replace the aging fleet of seven Boeing 707-3J6B(KC) Re ’em tankers and will also relieve the four smaller KC-130H Karnaf aircraft in specific missions.
Apart from the U.S., which plans to procure 183 aircraft (93 of which have already been delivered), and Israel, Japan has decided to purchase the KC-46A (4 delivered, with 9 planned). Meanwhile, Italy recently canceled its plan to buy 6 KC-46As. Previously, the aircraft had drawn interest from the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They are also currently being promoted in India, and in past years they were offered to Poland, Canada, and South Korea.