Etian 8×8 APC
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) unveiled the Eitan 8×8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) that will eventually be developed into a family of vehicles that will replace many of its legacy tracked M113s.
The Eitan will weigh 30-35 tonnes, have a 750 hp engine, and be able to reach speeds of up to 90 km/h on paved roads, the MoD said. The APC variant will be able to carry 12 personnel, including the commander, driver, and gunner.
The MoD released photographs and a video showing a prototype of the APC armed with a Rafael Samson Mini remote weapon station. Brigadier General Baruch Matzhliah, head of the MoD’s Tank Authority, said the prototype had begun a series of tests of its capabilities in recent days. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will decide how many platforms it will order when the trials are complete.
Brig Gen Matzhliah said that, together with the additional Namer tracked APCs ordered by the IDF, the Eitan will eventually replace the thousands of ageing M113 APCs and related vehicles that are still in service with the IDF. The M113 performed poorly during the 2014 conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, when it was exposed to heavy fire by militants armed with anti-tank guided weapons and RPG-7 rocket launchers.
“The Eitan is particularly suited to the requirements and terrain conditions of the state of Israel,” Brig Gen Matzhliah said. “Of course, it will not replace the Namer. This is an additional and complimentary vehicle. Its main advantage is rapid movement on roads and quick mobility between battle sectors without dependence on trailers.”
That means Eitan-equipped units will be able to rapidly move between conflict zones in southern and northern Israel without having to load their vehicles on and off transporters.
In addition to the APC role, the IDF’s M113 variants currently serve as command vehicles, mortar carriers, missile launchers, ambulances, cargo carriers, and in several other roles.
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