First new Israeli 'Armored Personnel Carrier' vehicle delivered to IDF brigade

The Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that the first new Israeli-manufactured Eitan Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicle was delivered to the Israel Defense Forces Nahal Brigade.

Commander Col. Oren Simcha said he took pride in the fact that his brigade was the first IDF unit to receive the new advanced vehicle, which took about seven years to develop.

“The Nahal Brigade is proud to be the first in the IDF to receive the Eitan APC – a tool that will transform the brigade and allow us to become more operational, independent and protected," said Simcha.

The Eitan vehicle has a 750-horsepower engine and eight wheels. Its maximum speed is 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) per hour and can carry up to a dozen soldiers.

Brig.-Gen. Oren Giber, head of the Defense Ministry’s Tank and APC Directorate, said the new armored vehicle was a significant complement to the IDF’s existing capabilities.

"After several years of hard work in developing, testing and manufacturing, the first serial production Eitan APCs have been delivered to the esteemed Nahal Infantry Brigade,” Giber said.

“The Eitan constitutes a groundbreaking leap forward in the field of wheeled-combat vehicles and is the first-of-its-kind in the IDF. It offers a unique set of capabilities, including superior mobility and survivability for our fighting forces,” he added.

The new APC will be able to fight alongside Israel’s Merkava Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and Namer Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), according to Giber.

Despite its tiny size, Israel is considered an important player – and often a pioneer – in the development of global military technologies.

The American-Israeli Iron Dome system is currently one of the world’s most advanced anti-missile defense systems. The Jewish state has also revolutionized warfare through its use of armed drones and artificial intelligence in combat against Gaza-based terrorist organizations.

All Israel News Staff