Israeli AFVs

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Big_Zukini

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I couldn't find a thread related to Israeli AFVs in general, so I'm hoping all Israeli AFV related stuff can be consolidated here. Obviously it's not all just Merkava.

Short story: IDF is looking into adding drones and LMs to its AFVs.
Background: This is fairly old news. It's all part of the Carmel program to modernize IDF AFVs with emerging technologies and operational concepts, before being consolidated into a new family of era-appropriate combat vehicles.

To spare you the picture dump, I'm posting just a couple here and linking to an article for the rest:
armor-il.blogspot.com

Israeli AFVs To Get Loitering Munitions and Drones

As a natural step in the Carmel future AFV family program, the IDF is looking to integrate drones or LMs (Loitering Munitions) into its comb...
armor-il.blogspot.com armor-il.blogspot.com

Here's a few:
1746995097469.png

1746995118799.png

Interestingly, while the SpearUAV Viper 300 is merely one candidate of many, its canister also fits an interceptor that's reportedly separately under consideration for mobile C-UAS solutions.
The LM on the left, interceptor (Viper-I) on the right.

I'll just add that the IDF has simultaneously inducted 3 new AFVs very recently - Eitan, Namer 2 (upgraded from 1200hp AVDS-1790 to 1500hp MTU883), and Barak (Situational Awareness oriented upgrade to Merkava 4). All still in their infancy numbers-wise, so all candidates for adoption and retrofitting.
 
From the 444th special mobility unit.

587529261_18339242023237534_5368752479042201169_n.jpg



586703312_18339242014237534_9027962061458196618_n.jpg
 
Several high profile buys:
3,250 JLTV
Source
WASHINGTON, January 30, 2026 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.98 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.

The Government of Israel has requested to buy three thousand two hundred fifty (3,250) Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), including JLTV Utility M1279A1/A2/A3 (JLTV-UTL), JLTV Heavy Guns Carrier M1278A1/A2/A3 (JLTV-HGC), JLTV Close Combat Weapons Carrier M1281A1/A2/A3 (JLTV-CCWC), and JLTV General Purpose M1280A1/A2/A3 (JLTV-GP). The following non-MDE items will also be included: Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS); JLTV cargo trailers (M1289); JLTV kits; standard and non-standard command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment; system unique integration; Objective Gunner Protection Kits (OGPK); Driver’s Vision Enhancement (DVE); spare and repair parts; Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE); technical manuals and publications; maintenance trainers; new equipment training; total package fielding support; depot-level maintenance, repair, and return support; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $1.98 billion.
Click to expand...

Namer MTU883 engines
Source
WASHINGTON, January 30, 2026 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Israel of Namer Armored Personnel Carrier Power Packs Less Transmissions and Integrated Logistics Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $740 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress.

The Government of Israel has requested to buy Namer Armored Personnel Carrier (APC-MT883) Power Packs Less Transmissions (NPPLTs) in full and lite configurations. Also included is an integrated logistics support package that includes special tools for C-Level maintenance and transmission parts; control and diagnostic systems; preservation and packaging; containers; configuration management; technical manuals, spare parts catalogs, other documentation, and publications; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and contractor non-recurring engineering (NRE); and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $740 million.
Click to expand...

A similar contract was given in 2019 for $238 million for 240 MTU883 engines in full configuration, and 30 in light configuration.
In the new contract the number is not specified, but if we go by roughly $1 million per engine, we get 740 engines.
Due to the war in Gaza and Lebanon, it is likely that many of these are replacements and to rebuild a reserve.

Divided by 6 years, 270 engines are enough for 45 APCs annually. The production is officially said to be 30, so the extra 15 could be a reserve.

2019 contract source

It is also noteworthy that the Merkava and Namer use the same powerpack, though possibly in a different setup. So what is categorized as a Namer engine sale, could also serve the Merkava.
 
Merkava 4M possibly taking a Kornet hit to the hull rear. Walked it off.
What I see in the video:
  • Pointed at shooter are hull rear and turret front.
  • Right side (left on video) Trophy case pops open.
  • One blast (typically intercepts produce 2 blasts).
  • Visible burning of the left rear hull basket.
  • Hull rear sides contain ammunition.
  • Tank drives off.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2037617504709697761
Overall quite confusing. Seems like no intercept but a tank shouldn't shrug off an ATGM like that.
 

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