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Namer

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For other uses, see Namer (disambiguation).

Namer
Namer IFV/APCNamer with TROPHY active protection system
Top: Namer HAPC in a drill, armed with a M2 Browning on RCWS.
Bottom: Namer with Trophy (Windbreaker) APS and M2 Browning.
Type
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service2008–present
Used byIsrael Defense Forces
Wars
Production history
DesignerIsrael Military Industries
ManufacturerIDF Ordnance (assembler)
Unit cost$3 million[1]
Produced2008–present
No. built
  • Up to 290 are currently operational
  • 531 in total planned to be produced by 2027[2]
Specifications
Mass63.5 tonnes[3]
Crew3 (commander, driver, RCWS operator) + 9 troops
ArmorClassified composite matrix of laminated ceramic–steel–nickel alloy + underlaid reactive armour. Sloped modular design.
Main
armament
Samson RCWS equipped with either 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 machine gun or Mk 19 grenade launcher
Secondary
armament
Engine1,200 hp (895 kW) turbocharged diesel engine
Power/weight20 hp/tonne (15 kW/tonne)
Payload capacity9 infantrymen[4]
SuspensionHelical spring
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed 85.2 km/h (50 mph)

Namer (Hebrew: נמ"ר, pronounced [naˈmeʁ]; meaning "leopard," and also a syllabic abbreviation of "Nagmash" (APC) and "Merkava") is an Israeli armoured personnel carrier based on a Merkava Mark IV tank chassis.[5] Namer was developed by and is being assembled by the Israeli Ordnance Corps. It has entered service in limited numbers with the Israel Defense Forces since the end of 2008. Due to budgetary constraints, the introduction of the Namer into the IDF has been slow, leaving the ground forces dependent on the M113 until 2027.[6]

History

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Namer prototype based on Merkava Mark I. Notice the straight side of the hull.
Operational Namer based on Merkava Mark IV. Notice the sloped side of the hull.
Rear of Namer showing the ramp which replaced the clamshell doors

1990s–2004

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The experience of converting Centurion tanks into armored personnel carriers (Nagmashot, Nagmachon) and combat engineering vehicles (Puma, Nakpadon), followed by the conversion of many T-54 and T-55 tanks into Achzarit infantry fighting vehicles, further promoted the idea of converting Merkava tanks into heavily armored APCs / IFVs. This concept was also driven by the fact that many of the ~250 Merkava Mark I tanks were being withdrawn from service, and it was also made clear that the 105 mm armament of the Merkava Mark IIs could not be upgraded with the modern IMI 120 mm gun.

The development did not progress much in the 1990s due to funding issues, but following 2004 Israel–Gaza conflict, which exposed the vulnerability of the M113 armored personnel carrier to improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades, the IDF reconsidered the development.[7] At that point, the Stryker armored personnel carrier was considered, but was rejected by the IDF.[8]

2005–present

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Eventually, IDF Ordnance developed infantry fighting vehicle prototypes based on the Merkava Mark I chassis, and also a handful of IFVs based on the Merkava Mark IV chassis.[9] The vehicle was initially called Nemmera (Hebrew: leopardess), but later renamed to Namer (Hebrew: leopard), while the name Nemmera refers to a Merkava-based ARV.

On 15 February 2005, Maariv reported that a Namer prototype based on the Merkava Mark I was fielded by the Givati Brigade for trials and evaluation. It was equipped with a Rafael Overhead Weapon Station, which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. This same unit was demonstrated at the Eurosatory 2005 military exhibition, where potential export customers showed interest.

Lessons learned in the battles of the 2006 Lebanon War also largely validated this program. Consequently, in 2007, it was reported[10] that the first fifteen Namers would be delivered in 2008, and over a hundred more would finally equip two combat brigades. However, conversion plans were abandoned in favor of newly built Merkava Mark IV chassis.

The Namer was the first IDF vehicle designed by computer (CAD), which allowed it to be conceptualized more rapidly than previous vehicles.

On 1 March 2008, the IDF officially presented a Namer IFV that was operational, fully-developed, and built ab initio based on the Merkava Mark IV chassis.[11] Reportedly, the construction was expedited in May 2008 by importing parts from the US.[12] On 15 September 2008, the Namer was unveiled to the general public at an exhibition in Rishon LeZion.

To speed up the production of the Namers (which had been taking place domestically), on 25 October 2010, it was announced that General Dynamics Land Systems had been chosen to negotiate a contract to manufacture and integrate an unspecified number of vehicle hulls at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio.[13]

Namer in Yad La-Shiryon, Latrun.

After cutting back orders for the Namer in 2014 due to budget constraints,[14] in 2015, the IDF increased its orders for parts, in expectation of orders of complete systems. The decision resulted partly as a response to the death of seven Golani Brigade soldiers, who were killed by an RPG in Gaza while riding a Vietnam War-era M113 whose engine stalled in the middle of the battlefield.[15] The orders from General Dynamics occurred alongside domestic production of the vehicles.

The Namer was originally planned to be equipped with Israel Military Industries's Iron Fist active protection system;[16] however, due to budget limitations, the installation of an active protection system was delayed. In 2016, nearly a decade later than planned,[17] the IDF said that it would begin to fit newly built Namers with Rafael's Trophy active protection system.

The IDF has continuously cut orders for the Namer due to budgetary constraints and a lack of prioritization of ground forces.[6] Since 2014, the pace of Namer purchases has been considered slow, with around 30 being produced each year, meaning that there would not be 500 of the vehicles in the IDF until 2027.[2]

On 6 March 2016, the Jerusalem Post reported that all new Namers would be delivered with the Trophy active protection system, and that the quantity of Namers ordered had been doubled from the previous year.[18]

At the end of 2016, the IDF Combat Engineering Corps started to operate the Namer CEV (Hebrew: נמ"ר הנדסי – נמר"ה). The Namer CEV is equipped with the Trophy active protection system[19] and engineering devices, such as: mine rollers, bulldozer blades, and anti-mine CARPET rockets. In 2023, the Namer CEV was used in the war in Gaza.

Design

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Survivability

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The Namer has been designed for survivability and rapid repair, with modular armor, V-hull belly armor pack, and CBRN defense.

Namer during training.

According to Brigadier general Yaron Livnat, they are more heavily armored than the Merkava IV tanks: "The weight saved by eliminating the turret was 'reinvested' in beefing up the armor."[20]

From 2016 onwards, some Namers were planned to be equipped with the Trophy active protection system.[19]

In 2015, Israel's defense ministry stated: "The Namer is considered to be the most protected armored combat vehicle in the world, which proved its abilities during fighting in Operation Protective Edge against many threats." Consequently, the IDF planned to introduce more of the Namers into the army over the next decade, as replacements for the dated M113s currently in service.[21]

Armament

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Namers are armed with either an M2 Browning machine gun or an Mk 19 grenade launcher mounted on a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, as well as a 7.62 mm (FN MAG) machine gun and a 60 mm mortar. Smoke grenade launchers are also carried.

On 31 July 2017, the Israeli Defense Ministry (IDF) released video of an infantry fighting vehicle version of the Namer, fitted with an unmanned turret armed with a 30 mm cannon; the turret is equipped with the Trophy APS. The Namer IFV offers more firepower for infantry units, and provides a better response in urban combat operations.[22]

On 12 December 2018, the Israeli Defense ministry released a further video of the Namer IFV that showed it launching two Spike-MR missiles from a pod which can be erected from and lowered flush into the turret roof. A defense ministry spokesperson explained that the installation “will enable IDF soldiers to fire missiles from within the vehicles, while they are still protected, which will significantly increase the attack range of the vehicles.” The automated launch pod will also be fitted to the turret of the Eitan AFV.[23]

Capabilities

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Namer IFV version.

Namer is capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain, powered by the Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel engine of the Merkava Mark III. Namer is able to carry up to 12 troops (crewmen and fully equipped infantrymen) and one stretcher, or two stretchers and medical equipment on a Namerbulance MEDEVAC version.[24] The original Merkava Mark IV rear entrance was redesigned to be a wider door ramp with a sniper port. Two hatches are fitted on the roof, which is higher than Merkava's hull roof. Namer also shares a digital battlefield management system with Merkava Mark IV, giving it hunter-killer team capabilities.

Namer CEV

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Namer CEV version in Yad La-Shiryon 69th Independence Day exhibition.
Namer CEV in IDF exhibition, 2018.

On 13 April 2016, the Israeli Defense Ministry released video and photos of combat engineering versions of the Namer undergoing testing. There are three combat engineering derivatives: a bulldozer version to be operated by company commanders; a breaching and obstacle bridging version to be operated by platoon commanders; and a towing version to be operated by platoon sergeants. Additional engineering devices, such as CARPET mine-breaching rockets, can be installed per mission. Combat engineering Namers are equipped with the Trophy APS, and would endow brigade-level teams with capabilities they never had before to handle tunnels, bridge obstacles, and maneuver in high-threat areas.[25] The Namer CEV entered service in the end 2016, at Battalion 603 of the Combat Engineering Corps, and is projected to enter service of the 601st Battalion in 2021.

Combat history

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In 2014, Namers took part in Operation Protective Edge. During the fighting, Namers (which at the time were not fitted with Active and Soft Protection Systems) were hit multiple times by RPGs and ATGMs, including suffering direct hits by 9M133 Kornet ATGMs.[clarification needed] In another case, an explosive charge weighing between ½ to 1 ton of explosives was detonated near the Namer, and a house collapsed on the APC.[clarification needed] As a result of its success on the battlefield, there were calls for the number of vehicles to be increased (beyond the 170 on order), and for them to gradually replace the many M113s currently fielded by IDF combat units.[26] In 2023, Namers took part in Operation Swords of Iron. On 21 October 2023, eleven soldiers from the Givati Infantry Brigade's Tzabar Battalion were killed after their Namer was struck by an ATGM.[27][28] On 15 June 2024, eight soldiers were killed, possibly due to a detonation of the explosives carried on the exterior of their Namer.[29] On June 24, 2024, Al-Qassam Brigades published footage of its forces attacking a Namer using a Chinese HJ-8 ATGM, hitting the vehicle, causing an external fire on the carry-on CARPET demining system.[30]

Users

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  •  Israel — According to IDF, the Namer IFV is set be distributed to infantry and combat engineering forces, with possible future plans for special models for intelligence and command purposes.[31] Two Namers took part in the Gaza War as part of the Golani Brigade.[32] By 2014, there were up to 120 Namers in service, and they took part in Operation Protective Edge. The Namer CEV (combat engineering vehicle) entered service in the end of 2016. According to a 2022 estimate, the IDF had about 290 Namers.[33]

Export proposals

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A Namer during a U.S. operational assessment in 2012.
  •  Azerbaijan — Azerbaijan and Israel have conducted negotiations over the Namer vehicle.[34]
  •  Colombia — Israel has offered procurement of Namer APCs to Colombia.[35]
  •  United States — In 2012, the U.S. Army conducted non-developmental vehicle operational assessments of current combat vehicles to evaluate capabilities against requirements for purchase of a new IFV for the Ground Combat Vehicle program. One of the vehicles validated was the Namer.[36] In April 2013, the Congressional Budget Office released a report that advised purchasing current vehicles instead of developing a new vehicle for the GCV program. Buying the Namer would cost $9 billion less, and meet the required nine-man carrying capacity.[37] The Army responded by saying that although the Namer and other vehicles assessed in 2012 met some GCV requirements, no currently fielded vehicle met enough without needing significant redesign.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pfeffer, Anshel (16 February 2014). צה"ל הכניס לשימוש נגמ"ש חדש מתוצרת ישראלית [IDF put to use new Israeli-made armored personnel carrier]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b Yehoshua, Yossi (22 September 2014). "Ya'alon approves addition of 200 advanced APCs for the IDF". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Namer APC Specifications". Flickr.
  4. ^ "New Artillery Cannon for APC". Israel Defense Forces. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  5. ^ Scott C. Farquhar (8 June 2009). Back to Basics: A Study of the Second Lebanon War and Operation CAST LEAD. United States Dept. of Defense. p. 86. ISBN 9780982328330. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  6. ^ a b Yehoshua, Yossi (22 September 2014). "Ya'alon approves addition of 200 advanced APCs for the IDF". Ynetnews. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022.
  7. ^ Barzilai, Amnon (10 June 2004). תוכנית "נמרה": טנק המרכבה 1 יוסב לנגמ"ש [Program "Nemmera": Tank will be altered APC]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  8. ^ "Armored warfare: Israel Drops Stryker for Merkava APC". Fresh.co.il. 11 January 2005. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023.
  9. ^ Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004. Bryan, Anthony 'Tony' illus. Oxford, UK: Osprey. p. 7. ISBN 1-84176-579-1.
  10. ^ "Armor: The Ultimate IFV". Strategy Page. 20 July 2007. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  11. ^ "2 March 2008" עין הנמ"ר. Israel Defense Forces (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  12. ^ צה"ל מאיץ את ייצור ה"נמר" בסיוע ארה"ב [IDF accelerates production of Namer with assistance of United States] (in Hebrew). Maariv. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  13. ^ "General Dynamics Selected for Merkava Armored Personnel Carriers for Israel". PR Newswire. General Dynamics Land Systems. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  14. ^ Dagoni, Ran (14 January 2014). "Israel halves Namer order with General Dynamics". Globes. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023.
  15. ^ Lappin, Yaakov (3 March 2015). "Defense Ministry doubles orders for tank, Namer APC parts". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Namer Heavy Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle". Army Technology. 20 June 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023.
  17. ^ Opall-Rome, Barbara (28 January 2016). "Israel To Equip Troop Carriers With Trophy APS". Defense News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024.
  18. ^ Lappin, Yaakov (7 March 2016). "APCs with Trophy system rolling off production lines". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024.
  19. ^ a b אמיר (Bohbot), בוחבוט (Amir) (7 September 2014). נגמ"ש העתיד של צה"ל ימוגן ב"מעיל רוח" [The IDF's future APC will be protected by a "wind jacket"]. news.walla.co.il. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014.
  20. ^ "Enter the Namer". Defense Update. June 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  21. ^ Lappin, Yaakov (5 May 2015). "In wake of last year's war in Gaza, Defense Ministry ramps up orders for new APCs". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Israeli Ministry of Defense introduces NAMER tracked IFV with 30mm automatic cannon". Army Recognition. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023.
  23. ^ "In first, Israel test-fires anti-tank missile from unmanned APC turret". the Times of Israel. 12 December 2018. Archived from the original on 15 May 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  24. ^ הגלגול הבא של הנמ"ר – אמבולנס משוריין [The next incarnation of the NMR - an armored ambulance] (in Hebrew). Official IDF site. 6 April 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  25. ^ Opall-Rome, Barbara (13 April 2016). "Israel Tests Engineering Versions of APS-Protected Troop Carrier". Defense News. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024.
  26. ^ לוי (Levi), שי (Shay) (13 August 2014). הסיפורים נחשפים: כך הנגמ"שים החדישים הצילו את חיי הלוחמים בעזה [The stories are revealed: This is how the new APCs saved the lives of the fighters in Gaza]. mako.co.il. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023.
  27. ^ "15 soldiers killed in battles inside Gaza; another by mortar shell at border". The Times of Israel.
  28. ^ "Fifteen Israeli soldiers killed as fighting intensifies in Gaza". The Guardian.
  29. ^ Beaumont, Peter (15 June 2024). "Eight Israeli soldiers killed in southern Gaza, military says". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  30. ^ AlJazeera Arabic قناة الجزيرة (24 June 2024). كتائب القسام تستهدف آلية إسرائيلية بصاروخ "السهم الأحمر" الموجه. Retrieved 24 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) – Namer". Israel Defense Forces. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009.
  32. ^ מה עשו שני נמ"רים בלב רצועת עזה? [What were two snipers doing in the heart of the Gaza Strip?] (in Hebrew). Israel Defense Forces. 19 February 2009. Archived from the original on 27 February 2009.
  33. ^ The Military Balance 2022 (1st ed.). Routledge. 14 February 2022. ISBN 9781032279008.
  34. ^ "Israel rearms Azerbaijani army". PanARMENIAN.Net. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Israel has offered the procurement of main battle tank Merkava IV and Namer APC to Colombia". Army Recognition. 24 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  36. ^ "US Army conducts NDV assessments for GCV programme". Army Technology. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  37. ^ Hoffman, Michael (3 April 2013). "Report: GCV is worst choice to replace Bradley". Military.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  38. ^ Hoffman, Michael (4 April 2013). "Army, industry slam CBO's scathing GCV report". Military.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
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