Tel Aviv: The Israeli developed Trophy active protection systems (APS) is now in big demand in some European countries. Many potential customers are interested in the new “Silent Mode” feature.
Based on lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine, Israeli company Rafael has added a silent mode to its bestselling Trophy active protection systems (APS) for tanks and armoured combat vehicles. The development of this version was first reported by Raksha Anirveda.
By using the four passive Electro-Optic (EO) sensors that are incorporated inside Trophy’s radar antennas, the Silent Mode can be activated. The ELTA Systems’ EO sensor, sometimes known as “Othello” is a simple-to-install addition to the present Trophy Radar Antennas arrangement. Both freshly created and already deployed Trophy APS systems can simply be upgraded with the Silent Mode Capability thanks to the easy integration of the EO sensor.
The EO sensor enables the armoured vehicles crews to operate the radar only before the threat is detected so that the emissions of the radars do not help the enemy to detect the tank or armoured vehicles from long ranges.
EuroTrophy GmbH is the European hub for marketing, sales and production of the Trophy APS. Based in Germany, the company is the only provider of a European made, combat proven, NATO fielded Active Protection System. The company also provides a wide range of services such as vehicle integration support services, maintenance services and related introduction-into-service and through-life support of the APS. EuroTrophy GmbH focuses on the needs of the European defence community and is committed to supply state of the art life-saving capabilities.
EuroTrophy GmbH is a joint venture company, established by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, General Dynamics European Land Systems and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. In March 2022, a new joint venture for the production of the Rafael Trophy APS was formally announced.
Initial lessons from the fighting in Ukraine have brought an unprecedented demand in Europe for active protection systems that protect main battle tanks and APC’s against anti-armour weapons. Two of the most advanced APS are being manufactured in Israel – the Trophy by Rafael and the Iron Fist by Elbit. Both companies are already in negotiations with some European customers and the competition according to Israeli sources is “fierce”.
The Iron Fist active protection system made by Israeli company Elbit Systems, is currently being evaluated by current and future users of the CV 90 armoured combat vehicle in Europe. The interest in the Israeli system follows a series of successful tests performed late last year by the Israeli ministry of defence.
Israeli sources said that only some of the Russian tanks that have been used in Ukraine carried active protection systems and that allowed the Ukrainians to hit many of them with relatively basic anti-tank weapons. The sources added that Russia has some types of active protection systems and it is not clear why they have not been deployed on the tanks that were used heavily mainly in the first days of the invasion.
During the recent tests with the Iron Fist, the system was carried by the Israeli developed Eitan APC and according to an official announcement managed to intercept different anti-tank weapons in “different and challenging scenarios”.
According to the Israeli company, the Iron Fist offers 360-degree coverage against threats from a variety of ranges in open and urban environments. The system also gives the crew of the APC, situational awareness by alerting them to the presence and location of fire sources that could endanger the protected vehicle or the operational unit. Elbit says that in short sensor – shooter engagements this capability is essential. The Iron Fist uses two launchers to enhance the kill probability of immediate threats.
The different versions of the CV 90 APC are currently used by Denmark, Estonia ,Finland , Norway and Sweden.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic decided to purchase the latest version. Israeli sources said that at this moment Estonia, the Czech Republic and Finland are already in negotiations with the Israeli companies.
European defence companies have been working with Israeli defence companies for years. The war in Ukraine has enhanced this trend and have brought an unprecedented demand in Europe for active protection systems that protect main battle tanks and APC’s against anti-armour weapons.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
