Ofek Heavy armored personnel carrier

[Zarvan]

The Ofek is converted from the out-dated Merkava Mk.2 tank



Entered service ?
Crew 2 men
Personnel ~ 10 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight ~ 60 t
Length ~ 7.45 m
Width ~ 3.7 m
Height ~ 2.7 m
Armament
Machine guns 1 x 7.62-mm
Mobility
Engine Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-6A diesel
Engine power 908 hp
Maximum road speed ~ 50 km/h
Range ~ 500 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 40%
Vertical step ~ 1 m
Trench ~ 3 m
Fording ~ 1.4 m


The Ofek is a new Israeli heavy armored personnel carrier. It is based on out-dated Merkava Mk.2 main battle tank chassis. Prototype of the Ofek was first tested in 2015.

The Merkava Mk.2 is out-dated and no longer used. Israel has hundreds of these main battle tanks in storage. In 2015 the Israel Defense Forces had begun a plan to take these tanks out of storage and convert them into heavy armored personnel carriers. Such low cost conversion allows to provide more protection of the troops. It is planned that the Ofek will be used by specific support forces, such as medical, logistical and rescue units, while infantry use Namer andAchzarit heavy APCs.

Israel is among a few countries in the world, that produce and operates heavy armored personnel carriers. Furthermore Israel is the only country to field such vehicles in large numbers. Heavy armored personnel carriers are typically based on main battle tank chassis. Their role of these heavily protected vehicles is to carry infantry under armor. Also such vehicles offer more protections for the crew and dismounts against insurgent attack.

During conversion turret of the Merkava Mk.2 was removed. New superstructure was added in order to increase internal space. Otherwise the Ofek retains the same layout with the front-mounted engine of the Merkava Mk.2 tank.

This heavy armored personnel carrier has a crew of 2 and can carry around 10 dismounts. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via original rear hatch of the Merkava Mk.2 tank. It is worth noting that the Merkava Mk.2 could carry around 10 troops when the ammunition was unloaded. Also the Ofek has roof hatches.

It is likely that the Ofek has similar level of protection as the Merkava Mk.2 tank. The superstructure of the Ofek has a cage armor for protection against RPG rounds. Also it is likely that this armored vehicle is fitted with jamming equipment which blocks radio signals that are used to detonate roadside bombs.

This heavy armored personnel carrier is armed with at lease one 7.62-mm machine gun, mounted on the roof.

This armored vehicle is powered by a Teledyne Continental AVDS 1790-6A air-cooled diesel engine, developing 908 hp. It is mated to Ashot Ashkelon 4-speed automatic transmission. The front-mounted engine provides additional protection for the crew and troops.

Some sources report that Israel is developing a whole family of new heavy armored personnel carrier on the Merkava Mk.2 chassis. These might include specialized vehicles, such as minefield breaching vehicle, surveillance vehicle and so on.

http://www.military-today.com/apc/ofek_l2.jpg

 

[truthseeker2010]

The Ofek is converted from the out-dated Merkava Mk.2 tank



Entered service ?
Crew 2 men
Personnel ~ 10 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight ~ 60 t
Length ~ 7.45 m
Width ~ 3.7 m
Height ~ 2.7 m
Armament
Machine guns 1 x 7.62-mm
Mobility
Engine Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-6A diesel
Engine power 908 hp
Maximum road speed ~ 50 km/h
Range ~ 500 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 40%
Vertical step ~ 1 m
Trench ~ 3 m
Fording ~ 1.4 m


The Ofek is a new Israeli heavy armored personnel carrier. It is based on out-dated Merkava Mk.2 main battle tank chassis. Prototype of the Ofek was first tested in 2015.

The Merkava Mk.2 is out-dated and no longer used. Israel has hundreds of these main battle tanks in storage. In 2015 the Israel Defense Forces had begun a plan to take these tanks out of storage and convert them into heavy armored personnel carriers. Such low cost conversion allows to provide more protection of the troops. It is planned that the Ofek will be used by specific support forces, such as medical, logistical and rescue units, while infantry use Namer andAchzarit heavy APCs.

Israel is among a few countries in the world, that produce and operates heavy armored personnel carriers. Furthermore Israel is the only country to field such vehicles in large numbers. Heavy armored personnel carriers are typically based on main battle tank chassis. Their role of these heavily protected vehicles is to carry infantry under armor. Also such vehicles offer more protections for the crew and dismounts against insurgent attack.

During conversion turret of the Merkava Mk.2 was removed. New superstructure was added in order to increase internal space. Otherwise the Ofek retains the same layout with the front-mounted engine of the Merkava Mk.2 tank.

This heavy armored personnel carrier has a crew of 2 and can carry around 10 dismounts. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via original rear hatch of the Merkava Mk.2 tank. It is worth noting that the Merkava Mk.2 could carry around 10 troops when the ammunition was unloaded. Also the Ofek has roof hatches.

It is likely that the Ofek has similar level of protection as the Merkava Mk.2 tank. The superstructure of the Ofek has a cage armor for protection against RPG rounds. Also it is likely that this armored vehicle is fitted with jamming equipment which blocks radio signals that are used to detonate roadside bombs.

This heavy armored personnel carrier is armed with at lease one 7.62-mm machine gun, mounted on the roof.

This armored vehicle is powered by a Teledyne Continental AVDS 1790-6A air-cooled diesel engine, developing 908 hp. It is mated to Ashot Ashkelon 4-speed automatic transmission. The front-mounted engine provides additional protection for the crew and troops.

Some sources report that Israel is developing a whole family of new heavy armored personnel carrier on the Merkava Mk.2 chassis. These might include specialized vehicles, such as minefield breaching vehicle, surveillance vehicle and so on.

http://www.military-today.com/apc/ofek_l2.jpg

This can be a good technique for PA, where it can replace its m113's using modified t-55/59/69, for IFV and APC roles.

 

[Penguin]

Ofek HAPC based on Merkava 2.
For mechanized infantry only, and for special roles i.e not general use. To replace command M113 for example.

Courtesy pdf-member '500', november 2015. Israel Defense Forces | Page 136

See also https://aw.my.com/en/forum/showthread.php?30831-Merkava

 

[madmusti]

Still not a Namer

 

[Penguin]

Still not a Namer

Never intended for use in ARMOR units, rather to fortify mech.inf. units, notably the command and support elements (eg medevac, assault engineers). So, compare to the Centurion mods Sh'ot (Puma), Nagmachon, Nagmash'ot / Nakpadon. Or T-54/55 based Achzarit.

Namer is the only purpose designed and built HAPC in the Israeli Orbat.

And let's face it, there's far more inside the turret that can be recapitalized in new vehicles, then there is in the hulls. Re-using these relatively heavily armored hulls to replace e.g. M113 variants makes sense. Or armoring non-armored units.

Still not a Namer

The Namer (tiger) heavy armored personnel carrier is a mayor element of the IDF modernization plan. The latest design of the Namer is based on the Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank chassis. Currently it is one of the most protected APCs in the world. It provides infantry with the level of protection and mobility matching those of the latest main battle tanks. A first batch of production vehicles was delivered in 2008. By 2017 Israel plans to acquire a total of 170 Namer heavy armored personnel carriers. Originally 386 vehicles were planned however later this number was reduced due to budget cuts.

First prototype of this heavy armored personnel carrier, called Namera (tigress), was based on the out-dated Merkava Mk.1 MBT chassis. It was revealed and fielded in 2005 for trials and evaluation. This variant was offered for export customers, however it received no production orders. Conversion plans were abandoned in favor to newly-built Merkava Mk.4 chassis. Production of new vehicles rather than conversion was considered more practical and cost-effective. This variant was publicly revealed in 2008.


The Namer heavy APC is fitted with modular armor and Trophy active protection system. For the first time active protection system is used as an integral element. Vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. The Namer offers the same protection level as the Merkava Mk.4.

Vehicle is armed with remotely controlled weapon station, fitted with 12.7-mm machine gun, which can be replaced with 40-mm grenade launcher. There is also a manually-operated 7.62-mm machine gun, mounted on top of the roof. Vehicle is fitted with new battlefield management system.

The Namer has a crew of two and provides accommodation for 10 infantrymen or two stretchers. Troops enter and leave the vehicle through the rear ramp, while there are two hatches on the hull roof for commander and gunner.

Despite being based on Merkava Mk.4 running gear, the Namer has a different hull. Initial production vehicles are powered by the Merkava Mk.3 MBT Continental AVDS-1790-9AR diesel engine, developing 1 200 hp, however it will be replaced with more modern Continental or MTU unit.

Some sources report that command post vehicle, based on Namer heavy APC, exists. The IDF also considered developing other support variants of the Namer, such as armored recovery vehicle, technical support vehicle, ambulance, and infantry fighting vehicle, armed with 30-mm cannon and anti-tank guided missiles.

Namer Heavy Armored Personnel Carrier | Military-Today.com