Sayeret
07-07-2004, 05:51 PM
According to JDW, the IDF has abandoned the plans to buy at least 200 Strykers for two infantry brigades. The purchase was strongly supported by Maj Gen Yiftah Ron-Tal, but the newly revised Kela 2008 five-year plan by the IDF General Staff deletes it from the purchase list.
The General Staff concludes that the Stryker is "a controversial platform" that lacks the protection level sought by the IDF. The GS also said that to make it suitable for the urban warfare the IDF is experiencing, the Stryker would require considerable amounts of additional armour.
Instead the Ground Forces Command received funds to develop a new heavy APC, based either on decomissioned Merkava 1 and 2 or newly produced Merkava 4 chassis. The HAPC has been given the name Nemerah, meaning Tigress.
The IDF will also consider upgrading more M113 APCs in addition to the 50 allready ordered. The purchase of more than 100 KMW Dingo 2 4x4 has also been approved. The Dingo will be produced by Textron M&L S in the USA.
An artist's impression of the Nemerah/Tigress HAPC by the Israeli MoD is also showed in the JDW. The impression shows a HAPC based on a taller Merkava hull, almost like the Merkava ARRV, with two 7.62mm MG mounted on the commanders and gunners hatch and a single OWS immediately behind these. Brig Gen Nir Amir, Israeli MoD tank programme manager, is quoted on saying that "the IDF took the decision a few weeks ago to develop the Tigress. Currently, one prototype is being built using a Merkava 1 chassis that has been withdrawn from service. This will be completed in a few months." Nir Amir also said that "compared to the Achzarit APC, the Tigress will have better protection, more room in the rear and a larger rear door."
The General Staff concludes that the Stryker is "a controversial platform" that lacks the protection level sought by the IDF. The GS also said that to make it suitable for the urban warfare the IDF is experiencing, the Stryker would require considerable amounts of additional armour.
Instead the Ground Forces Command received funds to develop a new heavy APC, based either on decomissioned Merkava 1 and 2 or newly produced Merkava 4 chassis. The HAPC has been given the name Nemerah, meaning Tigress.
The IDF will also consider upgrading more M113 APCs in addition to the 50 allready ordered. The purchase of more than 100 KMW Dingo 2 4x4 has also been approved. The Dingo will be produced by Textron M&L S in the USA.
An artist's impression of the Nemerah/Tigress HAPC by the Israeli MoD is also showed in the JDW. The impression shows a HAPC based on a taller Merkava hull, almost like the Merkava ARRV, with two 7.62mm MG mounted on the commanders and gunners hatch and a single OWS immediately behind these. Brig Gen Nir Amir, Israeli MoD tank programme manager, is quoted on saying that "the IDF took the decision a few weeks ago to develop the Tigress. Currently, one prototype is being built using a Merkava 1 chassis that has been withdrawn from service. This will be completed in a few months." Nir Amir also said that "compared to the Achzarit APC, the Tigress will have better protection, more room in the rear and a larger rear door."