Elbit Systems, one of Israel’s premier defense technology companies, announced a contract with the Defense Ministry worth over 200 million dollars, in a statement on Wednesday.
President and CEO of Elbit Systems Col. (Res) Bezhalel “Butzi“ Machlis lauded the contracts as a natural next step in defending Israel, stating that “Elbit Systems is proud to continue serving as a key partner of the Israel Defense Ministry and the IDF in advancing their technological capabilities.”
According to the statement, the deal, worth approximately 210 million dollars, tasks Elbit Systems with upgrading Merkava tanks, Israel’s main battle tank. The Merkava series of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) are currently in its fourth iteration, introduced in recent years.
Merkava tanks still in use
The Merkava series, first deployed in the late 1970s, have seen action in almost a dozen wars or conflicts with Israeli involvement, most notably during the First Lebanon War and the recent Israel-Hamas War, both constituting large-scale ground invasions.
Tanks are often vulnerable to anti-tank weapons such as the rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPGs) frequently possessed by terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which have both faced Merkava tanks in battle.
To counter this weakness, Israeli defense manufacturers created the active protection system (APS) dubbed “Trophy Systems,” which intercepts many of the projectiles used against the tanks. Fourth-generation Merkava tanks are often equipped with Trophy systems, adding an extra layer of protection.
All-encompassing upgrades
Despite Israel’s military superiority over Hamas, the IDF has been looking to upgrade its capabilities, as shown by this deal. According to the statement, “Elbit Systems will carry out an extensive renewal of the electronic assemblies of the tanks to extend their operational service life, as well as the upgrade and enhancement of multiple onboard systems.
Among these are high‑performance, lightweight, AI‑enhanced electro‑optical sights that provide panoramic day‑ and night‑time observation, along with advanced target detection, acquisition, and tracking capabilities.”
Additionally, “[the] contracts also include the supply of spare parts and the provision of comprehensive maintenance and support services.”