17 february 2009
The Israel army's next-generation armored personnel carrier received its baptism by fire during Operation Lead Cast last month.
The newest model Namer (Tiger), which is produced locally, joined the Israel Defense Forces' ranks in recent months. Several dozen are being used in infantry training. Eventually, the IDF is hoping to replace all of its older APCs with the new model.
The first infantry brigade to receive the new APC was Golani, which used three such vehicles in a brigade exercise two months ago.
Golani soldiers used their veteran Achzarit APCs during most of the offensive in the Gaza Strip, but during the final days of the operation, they also brought some of the new vehicles into battle to test their capabilities.
The new APC served as a forward command position for the Golani commander. Some crews received rushed training in order to use the vehicle in Gaza.
The IDF has ordered about 130 such vehicles, at a cost of $3 million each, and there are plans to acquire as many as 800.
It is seeking to replace most of the older APCs in use by the ground forces.
The Namer is based on the Merkava Mark IV Main Battle Tank chassis and has some of the most sophisticated battle management and protection equipment available.
The Namer was developed around the Merkava's hull in part so that ground forces and armor would have both speed and mobility, as well as protection on the battlefield.
Israel Namer APC
The Namer is an APC based on the Merkava tank. It is an advanced APC which is slated to enter combat service in the IDF. The Namer is based on the body of the Merkava 4, and much like a tank, it is capable of maneuvering in very difficult terrain. It has advanced defensive systems, and an internal air-conditioning unit which makes battle in areas contaminated by hazardous materials possible. The Namer has specialized equipment installed which is designated for various purposes. Among these apparatus are a number of machine guns, missile launchers, and reconnaissance equipment for daytime and night. Special stress was put on the protection of the soldiers within the APC, during its design stages. Among the many systems which will be installed on the Namer is the "wind coat", a system which identifies threats and neutralizes them, before they manage to hit the vehicle. The IDF decided to create this craft mostly due to the lessons learned in the battles of the Second Lebanon War, in the summer of 2006. The Namer will allow quicker and safer advancement of infantry forces, similar to that of the Armor forces. The Namer APC will be distributed to the Infantry and Engineering forces, with possible future plans for special models for Intelligence and command purposes.
The Namer APC is at the cutting edge of APC technology, and all that pertains to protecting foot soldiers in the IDF. The systems and technology which it sports are among the most advanced in the world, and they are mostly of Israeli manufacture. All of the companies which participated in the project did so while working closely with the IDF. The state of affairs in the Middle East, and continuous advances in technology, together with the willingness of the army to accept change, give the IDF an advantage on the battlefield.
Namer APC based on Merkava Mk. 4 chassis.
The Israel army's next-generation armored personnel carrier received its baptism by fire during Operation Lead Cast last month.
The newest model Namer (Tiger), which is produced locally, joined the Israel Defense Forces' ranks in recent months. Several dozen are being used in infantry training. Eventually, the IDF is hoping to replace all of its older APCs with the new model.
The first infantry brigade to receive the new APC was Golani, which used three such vehicles in a brigade exercise two months ago.
Golani soldiers used their veteran Achzarit APCs during most of the offensive in the Gaza Strip, but during the final days of the operation, they also brought some of the new vehicles into battle to test their capabilities.
The new APC served as a forward command position for the Golani commander. Some crews received rushed training in order to use the vehicle in Gaza.
The IDF has ordered about 130 such vehicles, at a cost of $3 million each, and there are plans to acquire as many as 800.
It is seeking to replace most of the older APCs in use by the ground forces.
The Namer is based on the Merkava Mark IV Main Battle Tank chassis and has some of the most sophisticated battle management and protection equipment available.
The Namer was developed around the Merkava's hull in part so that ground forces and armor would have both speed and mobility, as well as protection on the battlefield.
Israel Namer APC
The Namer is an APC based on the Merkava tank. It is an advanced APC which is slated to enter combat service in the IDF. The Namer is based on the body of the Merkava 4, and much like a tank, it is capable of maneuvering in very difficult terrain. It has advanced defensive systems, and an internal air-conditioning unit which makes battle in areas contaminated by hazardous materials possible. The Namer has specialized equipment installed which is designated for various purposes. Among these apparatus are a number of machine guns, missile launchers, and reconnaissance equipment for daytime and night. Special stress was put on the protection of the soldiers within the APC, during its design stages. Among the many systems which will be installed on the Namer is the "wind coat", a system which identifies threats and neutralizes them, before they manage to hit the vehicle. The IDF decided to create this craft mostly due to the lessons learned in the battles of the Second Lebanon War, in the summer of 2006. The Namer will allow quicker and safer advancement of infantry forces, similar to that of the Armor forces. The Namer APC will be distributed to the Infantry and Engineering forces, with possible future plans for special models for Intelligence and command purposes.
The Namer APC is at the cutting edge of APC technology, and all that pertains to protecting foot soldiers in the IDF. The systems and technology which it sports are among the most advanced in the world, and they are mostly of Israeli manufacture. All of the companies which participated in the project did so while working closely with the IDF. The state of affairs in the Middle East, and continuous advances in technology, together with the willingness of the army to accept change, give the IDF an advantage on the battlefield.
Namer APC based on Merkava Mk. 4 chassis.
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