Haifa / Tel Aviv: Israeli company Elbit Systems has been awarded new contracts, totaling $150 million, for its Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS) by BAE Systems Hägglunds for integration into CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) operated by European NATO member states.
These new awards follow a major milestone achieved in September 2025, when Elbit Systems conducted a high-profile live-fire demonstration in Europe, showcasing Iron Fist’s ability to defeat advanced kinetic energy (KE) threats. During the trial, the system successfully intercepted more than a dozen 120mm KE APFSDS tank rounds – a rare accomplishment in the APS field. The event, attended by senior military and defence industry representatives, validated Iron Fist’s effectiveness against some of the most challenging anti-armour threats faced on modern battlefields.
The Iron Fist APS is an advanced hard-kill active protection system designed to enhance the survivability and self-defence capabilities of armoured platforms against a wide range of modern battlefield threats.
As the Israel Defence Forces’ second-generation APS, Iron Fist combines high performance with a compact design, characterised by low volume, weight, and power requirements. The system delivers 360-degree protection against various anti-armour threats, including Anti-Tank Rockets (ATR), Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and Kinetic-Energy (APFSDS) tank ammunitions, in both open terrain and complex urban environments.
Iron Fist APS has been selected by leading NATO and worldwide armed forces for integration on a variety of combat platforms.
Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager Elbit Systems Land said that the Iron Fist continues to strengthen its presence among Western armies, reflecting growing confidence in the system’s capabilities across Europe and beyond.
”The results of our recent live-fire trials only reinforce this trust. We value the strong partnership we have developed with BAE Systems Hägglunds, which plays a key role in expanding our footprint across Europe, and we are proud that our innovative, highly advanced solution will enhance the protection of more forces around the world,” Elbit Systems Land, General Manager Vered added.
-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
