Israeli Army News & Discussion

[Big_Zucchini]

I believe this is the first time we're seeing Trophy's shutters opening prior to interception:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1744477639665189206

I wanted to link to an interesting post made by an analyst I follow, but unfortunately his website's down. There he asserted that APS typically have low munition counts (4-6) because the relative vulnerability of APS's external components limits it to around this amount of interceptions before it's disabled somehow.
Naturally the launchers themselves are most vulnerable as they have no layers of redundancy yet, while sensors are redundant. For example radar + EO.
This is particularly important in urban areas where an infantry section can plan and coordinate an attack on an AFV, with higher degree of initiative options than in open ground. They could target an APS's launcher with small arms and follow up with an AT weapon.
This was highly likely attempted by Hamas in Gaza.

 

[John Fedup]

This article discusses the measures being taken to protect tanks from drones, explosives dropped from buildings and magnetically attached to armoured skirts during recent fighting in urban areas. Some of these measures apply to Ukraine as well. Militaries around the world will be taking note.

Edit: word correction

Israeli Merkava Tanks Get Improved Anti-Drone, Magnet Bomb Defenses

The threats the Israel Defense Forces are facing in Gaza are significantly transforming the look of its Merkava Mk 3 tanks.

www.thedrive.com

 

[Big_Zucchini]

IDF announces emergency program to defend itself against the threat of drone swarms.
Israel arguably has the best air defense array in the world - national level defense in multiple tiers. However that isn't quite enough. Israel lacks air defenses on the tactical level, as well as against threats that become increasingly cheaper such as light drones.

1. Since 7/10 the IDF has spent "hundreds of millions of NIS" (1 NIS = 0.27 USD) on soft kill systems.
2. The program includes the acquisition of existing, in-production systems from the defense industries.
3. It also includes buying, supposedly in future tense, systems like the Typhoon, Mini Typhoon (Typhoon is a family of maritime RWS), and Pitbull (light RWS).
4. Finally, it includes investment in development of tailor-made products involving the big industries - Rafael, IAI, Elbit.
5. One example given is RWS directed by radars, installed in sensitive areas.

צה"ל מאיץ רכש חירום להגנה מפני כטב"מים מתאבדים | כלכליסט

מערכת הביטחון במרוץ הצטיידות רחב היקף בניסיון לשפר את יכולות ההגנה על תשתיות מפני מתקפה של להקות רחפני נפץ. במקביל, התעשיות הביטחוניות הונחו להאיץ תוכניות לפיתוח של אמצעים ומערכות שנותנים מענה לאיום של נחילי כטב"מים התוקפים בו־זמנית

www.calcalist.co.il

 

[Big_Zucchini]

New Lahav pics dropped. Reportedly in use since early days of the war.
Users report significant quality of life improvements over the old M270, including some opportunities granted by using a wheeled chassis, particularly since Israel's internal logistics rely on a system of highways with time constants of hours.

It is encouraging that the IDF chose to increase its reliance on the HEMTT for logistical as well as combat purposes. It will reduce life cycle costs and ease both material and training logistics.

המשגר החדש של צה"ל נחשף: "אין לו כמעט מגבלות" | תיעוד

עם תחילת הלחימה עשה צה"ל שימוש מבצעי ראשון במשגר "להב" החדש, שמחולל מהפכה בחיל התותחנים. מאז, ירו הכוחות מאות רקטות מדויקות ויותר מ-100 אלף פגזים ברצועה

www.mako.co.il

 

[Big_Zucchini]

What's in the Negev? The Field Artillery School, among other interesting things.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1754474584793858502

 

[Big_Zucchini]

IDF SERVICE MODEL OVERHAUL

Link to IDF website

In light of the current difficult security reality, as well as public sentiment that Israel's defense posture was overly relaxed and the IDF's own admission of manpower shortages, a new plan was proposed by the IDF and has been forwarded to the Knesset for a vote.
The rationale is to increase the reserve component's share

Some of the key aspects of the plan:

• Mandatory service extension: 32 -> 36 months.
• Reserve service exemption age increased:
  • 40 -> 45 (regular).
  • 45 -> 50 (officer).
  • 49 -> 52 (unique professions).
    
• Reserve duty length increased:
  • 54 / 3 years -> 42 / year (regular).
  • 70 / 3 years -> 48 / year (NCO).
  • 84 / 3 years -> 55 / year (officer).
    
• Operational activity length increased: 25 days in a row -> 40 days in a row.

Over the past several years the IDF has been strongly hinting at manpower shortages. While some political elements tried to hide it, the IDF is certainly making its case clear right now with this proposal.
As explained here before, the majority of servicemen are secular Jews. Arabs are exempt from service with the exception of Druze, and ultra orthodox Jews use legal loopholes to get out of service. Being over 10% of the population and the fastest growing demographic, they are a significant contributor to the necessity of this proposal. However, should the proposal become reality, it will essentially give them a free pass on service refusal.

It is difficult to say whether the proposal will actually pass. On one hand the majority of the coalition's remaining voter base has never served nor plans to serve. On the other hand, they may try to torpedo it in order to restore some voters.
For the ultra orthodox parties the calculus is a bit more complex. They do wish to protect their voters from military service since service is considered a productive activity which is against their beliefs, but they are acutely aware of the massive public anger toward them and the potential consequences in the years to come. Perhaps that is why we are hearing some calls from within that sector to enlist, but that may just be too little too late.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Running with a short track:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1765250671555629175

 

[Big_Zucchini]

M113 UGV spotted in Gaza in one of Hamas's videos. It appears to use a General Robotics Pitbull RCWS. The minimalistic and seemingly improvized setup indicate that this is likely an experimental system.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

In an investors' conference, Elbit details new factory that will begin operation in 2024. It will focus largely on production of munitions but also support production of platforms for the IDF and foreign customers.
Plans for the factory were announced several years ago and it seems we're nearing completion.



Additionally, Elbit's CEO said the IDF will acquire 144 Ro'em howitzers, with first units becoming operational this year.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

IAI Elta unveils the M3S2 (ELI-3312) APS against loitering munitions and drones.
The system utilizes sensors developed by Elta, connected to a fire computer and an MG. These allow engaging drones out to hundreds of meters. It can be inferred that it may also engage drones that position themselves directly above the target.

The system seems to utilize the OTHELLO optical target detection system (above the radar), and the ELM-2133 WindGuard radar, both of which are used by the Trophy system.

This indicates that Trophy may now be improved to tackle drones by slaving existing firing assets to it.
Such connection may also be used by Trophy to return immediate fire on a firing source if the main gun isn't suitable for the task (e.g. rotation speed, elevation limits etc).
I have advocated for such a system for a long time. Roof mounted machine guns are an under-utilized assets, and if infantry can snipe drones with small computerized sights, so should heavier AFVs.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Eitan APC seen with SATCOM antenna and an enlarged vision block called "aquarium".

The Eitan is used, AFAIK, only by the Nahal infantry brigade and still in limited numbers as it had only recently entered service. The SATCOM indeed indicates that it is likely a command variant as Lox said, and the aquarium is actually a pretty neat item that we've seen on other Israeli APCs in the past.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1783023171295166923

Here is the aquarium on an Achzarit. It's evident that the aquarium isn't a single item but comes in various sizes and configurations. After all it is essentially a weakspot, something that is harder and harder to justify nowadays with the growing precision and targeting opportunities of adversaries' munitions.

Little known fact is the IDF operates a small number of Bv206 vehicles.

Here we see them used by the alpinist unit, but generally they're used for logistics and transport between the base of Mount Hermon and the many outposts above it. During the summer the ice on the gravel roads melts so they're not necessary as regular trucks can go there, which allows keeping them in very good shape.

During my service I frequently visited the larger outposts where intelligence equipment was installed, had a couple rides on these.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1765720190979809748

 

[Big_Zucchini]

What an RPG does to a person:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1792469360662962296

I don't know what exactly hit them. Hamas likely use some smuggled RPGs of various types. In past conflicts they've shown RPG-29s, advanced ATGMs like Kornet, and standard RPG-7s with various warheads. Now they use primarily self-made Al Yasin 105mm RPGs, which I've seen in tandem HEAT and tandem thermobaric (HEAT + thermobaric) configurations, the latter probably vs fortifications.
It is likely Hamas's Al Yassin are of lower quality and penetration consistency compared to standard variants.
Regardless, it's quite impressive, being able to take an RPG to the side.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Israel reportedly set to buy large quantities of M61 Vulcans to mount on APCs, tasked with C-UAS.
This is not exactly a sophisticated solution, to say the least. But the IDF is cash-strapped, and it's better than nothing.
I just hope it's not M113s.

המוני תותחים על נגמ"שים לאורך הגבול: התשובה של צה"ל לכטב"מים של חיזבאללה - וואלה חדשות

למול איום כלי הטיס הבלתי מאוישים שחוצים את הגבול מלבנון לעומק ישראל, במערכת הביטחון החלו ברכש נרחב של תותחי וולקן - שיירו אלפי פגזים על כטב"מים שטסים נמוך

news.walla.co.il

 

[Terran]

Using the M61? As a low cost CUAS? Yeah @Big_Zucchini Sorry buddy but they are probably going to reactivate M163 VADS or Machbet.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Using the M61? As a low cost CUAS? Yeah @Big_Zucchini Sorry buddy but they are probably going to reactivate M163 VADS or Machbet.

IDF is not the re-activating type. Once something reaches the junkyard, it has maybe a few years tops until it's disintegrated.

I have a mixed gut feeling about a Panther (up-armored FMTV-based APC) carrying this thing.

Really hoping they'll stick it on an Eitan or something, with additional weapon systems. It won't make sense IRL but it'll be a nice addition for War Thunder so I support my tax money going toward this.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Excellent footage of assassination of Palestinian terrorists in Nur Shams (J&S) with drones.
I'd like to note first that footage of dropper drones used by IDF is extremely rare. They've been used for a while, and the IDF set up extensive infrastructure for employment of mini UAS before the war in Ukraine, including sophisticated solutions like dedicated payloads, comms, and modifications to improve flight performance and stealth.
First and last such publicized footage that I'm aware of was a drop on a warehouse somewhere in Gaza maybe last week.

In this footage we can see what is probably 3 separate drones.

1. Drone 1, FPV, identifies suspects from very close range. Confirmed 4 terrorists.
2. Drone 2 with day camera and thermal, lifted to apply persistent surveillance on the targets.
3. Drone 3, quadcopter, drops a grenade, waits for BDA, then drop another to confirm kill on all 4.
4. Drone 1 approaches again to inspect from close range.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1792826715401753059

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Israel MoD orders $760 million worth of munitions to be delivered over 2 years. Such short delivery time indicates at least some investment/work done to elevate production capacity beyond the mere increased number of shifts.

Aside from resupplying the IDF, Israel's defense industries must build up their capacity to increase Israel's independence of supply of critical components, typically forms of munitions, fuels, and spare parts for existing weapon systems.

Elbit Systems Awarded a Group of Contracts in an Aggregate Amount of Approximately $760 Million for the Supply of Ammunitions to the Israeli Ministry of Defense | Elbit Systems

Haifa, Israel, May 21, 2024 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT) Elbit Systems announced today, further to the report in its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 28, … Continued

elbitsystems.com

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Israel reportedly eyeing the Centurion C-RAM (LPWS) specifically. It wants them fast, so I'm assuming there are talks to buy from existing stocks.

N12 - וולקן M61 יגיע בקרוב לצה"ל?

בצה"ל בוחנים אפשרות לרכוש את המערכת הניידת האמריקנית, שיורה על מטרות מעין קליעים נפיצים - ועשויה לסייע גם מול חיזבאללה

www.mako.co.il

 

[Terran]

Israel reportedly eyeing the Centurion C-RAM (LPWS) specifically. It wants them fast, so I'm assuming there are talks to buy from existing stocks.

N12 - וולקן M61 יגיע בקרוב לצה"ל?

בצה"ל בוחנים אפשרות לרכוש את המערכת הניידת האמריקנית, שיורה על מטרות מעין קליעים נפיצים - ועשויה לסייע גם מול חיזבאללה

www.mako.co.il

That would make more sense for the M61s. No body has built an anti aircraft vehicle in the last decades using a M61 and I can’t think of a remote turret design for it. Centurion however that is based off the Phalanx and is fairly recent.

 

[Big_Zucchini]

Panther MRAP doing MRAP stuff.

I don't think we give enough credit to modern protection technology. Examples like this and what we see almost daily in Ukraine is not something to be taken for granted.
Blast attenuation takes work on the belly armor, suspension, drivetrain, floor, seats, walls, and the internal equipment as well.

Not just to save a life but also to make sure these guys don't come out with broken backs and legs.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1794713265731489972