Tel Aviv: The heavy use of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) of its Merkava main battle tanks (MBT) and Namer armoured personnel carriers (APC) results in increased production of critical components and upgrades.
The Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) at the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), in collaboration with the IMOD’s Tank and APC Administration and the IDF’s Technological and Logistics Directorate, signed an additional significant agreement with Ashot Ashkelon.
The Director General of the IMOD, Maj Gen (Res.) Eyal Zamir, signed the contract as part of the ministry’s broader initiative to enhance the capabilities of Israel’s armoured vehicles, such as the Merkava tanks and Namer APCs, which have been demonstrating their effectiveness during the current war.
This transaction is one of several strategic moves by the IMOD to strengthen Israeli industries and ensure the IDF’s operational needs are consistently met in the present and future.Under the terms of the agreement, Ashot Ashkelon will manufacture and supply critical components for the Merkava tanks and Namer APCs, including 1,500 horsepower (HP) transmissions, which will be delivered to the IDF, at a total cost of over $46 million.
Ashot Ashkelon specialises in the production of complex drive systems, transmissions, and other unique components for armoured vehicles and is a crucial supplier for the IDF’s armoured vehicle programs, ensuring these critical defence systems’ operational readiness and longevity.
During 2024, the IMOD made purchases from Ashot Ashkelon totaling over $88 million.
-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
