Eitan AFV

Eitan (Hebrew for "steadfast", "firm" or "strong") is an armored fighting vehicle (AFV) developed by the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate in the IMOD to replace the aging M113 armored personnel carrier in use by the Israel Defense Forces.[3] Its APC variant is absent of the Iron Fist APS, due to the fact those are not the serial production Eitan vehicles yet. The IFV variant is still not in service.

Eitan
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service2022[1]
Production history
Designed2016
Specifications
Mass30–35 tonnes
Crew3 (commander, driver, RCWS operator) + 9 troops[2]
EngineMTU 712 hp (531 kW) 8V199 diesel engine
Suspension8x8
Maximum speed 90 km/h (60 mph) - top speed

Overview

The Eitan is an 8-wheeled vehicle much lighter than the Namer, weighing less than 35 tons,[4] fitted with the Iron Fist Light Decoupled active protection system.[5] The AFV has a top speed of 90 km/h and can carry 12 men including 3 crew. The Eitan can be equipped with a 30–40 mm gun and a missile firing position with 2 Spike missiles.[6] The armor is STANAG 4569 level 4.

The Eitan will replace hundreds of M113 APCs currently in service.[7] According to Brigadier General Baruch Matzliah, the vehicle will complement, not replace, the Namer tracked APC;[8] as a wheeled vehicle, it will cost just as much as the Namer ($3 million) and, unlike tracked vehicles, can transport infantry squads on roads without relying on tank transporters.

The Eitan has the capability to run flat tires and is designed with a NERA composite Armor and high floor to protect from landmine and IED blast effects.[7] The first Eitan AFV was unveiled on August 1, 2016.[9]

Serial production started in 2022, and the Nahal Brigade became the first Israeli infantry unit to receive the Eitan in May 2023.[10] The brigade first used the Eitan during the Battle of Zikim on 7 October 2023, and there are plans to use the vehicle during a future invasion of the Gaza Strip.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Defense Ministry to deliver first new advanced 'Eitan' APC to IDF". The Times of Israel.
  2. BECKHUSEN, Robert (6 August 2016). "Israel's Next Troop Taxi Is a Giant, Armored Carapace". War Is Boring. Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  3. Fabian, Emanuel. "Defense Ministry to deliver first new advanced 'Eitan' APC to IDF". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  4. Opall, Barbara (4 August 2016). "Israel Unveils Wheeled, Actively Protected Armored Carrier". Defense News. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  5. Israeli Ministry of Defense Selects Elbit Systems' Iron Fist Light Decoupled Active Protection System for the Eitan AFV. PRNewswire. 20 August 2019.
  6. "Israel unveils its first wheeled APC". Globes. 8 January 2016.
  7. Eshel, Tamir (1 August 2016). "Israel Develops a Highly Protected APC to Replace Thousands of M-113 'Tin Cans'". Defense Update. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  8. Lappin, Yaakov (4 August 2016). "Israel unveils first wheeled APC". IHS Janes. Archived from the original on 2016-08-04. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  9. Lapin, Yaakov (1 August 2016). "The Eitan APC will come with an active protection system, and its high speed will enable rapid deployment of forces between North and South. armor STANAG 4569 level 4". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  10. First Eitan wheeled APCs delivered to Israel’s IDF. Breaking Defense. 31 May 2023.
  11. "טבילת האש הראשונה: נגמ"ש "האיתן" חיסל מחבלים בחוף זיקים" (in Hebrew). Walla! News. October 18, 2023.
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