Israel considers Merkava-based heavy APC
ROBIN HUGHES JDW Deputy News Editor
London
Additional reporting by Peter Felstead JDW Editor
London
Date Posted: 25-Jun-2004
The Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering the development of a new heavy armoured personnel carrier (APC) dubbed Nemerah ( Tigress), based on the chassis of the Merkava main battle tank (MBT).
The development is seen as a cost-effective solution for a new heavy APC for the Israel Defence Force (IDF) in light of budgetary restrictions. It has been given added impetus following recent IDF losses in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF decided in May to limit the use of its widely deployed M113 APCs in the Gaza Strip following two incidents in which 11 troops were killed in M113s attacked by rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
"There is no way we will stop using M113s, as it is our main platform," IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Gabi Ashkenazi told JDW last month. "[However], we will have to seek other solutions."
Brig Gen Nir Amir, MoD tank programme manager, told JDW: "The IDF took the decision a few weeks ago to develop the Tigress. Currently, one prototype is being built using a Merkava Mk 1 chassis that has been withdrawn from service. This will be completed in a few months."
The IDF is currently phasing out its M60 and older Merkava Mk 1, with a view to eventually fielding an entirely modern Merkava fleet. "The Merkava project is a telescopic programme, with continuous improvements being made to each new production batch," Gen Amir said. "The Tigress concept reflects a philosophy in the MoD's Tank Management Programme to make the development of the Merkava as flexible as possible," he added. A Merkava-based armoured recovery vehicle prototype that has already been built is undergoing trials with the IDF.
Other defence sources in Israel have suggested that the MoD might decide to lower the production rate of the new Merkava Mk 4 and develop the Tigress on the Mk 4 chassis. However, this would depend on the production of a "critical mass of Mk 4 MBTs" before any such development of the Tigress.
MoD sources in Israel have, however, dismissed this as not feasible, given severe budgetary restraints and the fact the Tigress is still in the concept development phase.
Few details are currently available about the Tigress programme. However, Gen Amir told JDW that "compared to the Achzarit APC [which is based on a heavily modified Russian T-54/T-55 tank chassis], the Tigress will have better protection, more room in the rear and a larger rear door".
However, he noted: "We are very aware of the costs of such a development. If it proves to be too expensive, it will kill the programme."