Eitan AFV (2016)

Israel (2016, service 2023), Current Production.

Eitan is a wheeled armored personnel carrier developed by the Merkava and Armored Vehicle Directorate (MERKD) of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD). The APC began to be adopted by the Israel Defense Forces, participated in operational activity in recent actions in 2023 and 2025, and is set to replace all APCs in the IDF, except for the Nimr. The Eitan is the first wheeled armored personnel carrier in IDF service since the 1960s that is not based on an existing model.

Replacing the M113

The need for a heavy, armored armored personnel carrier arose when the M-113 armored personnel carrier, a 1950s tracked APC widely exported that needs no introduction, also massively adopted n IDF service, was perceived as outdated and extremely vulnerable in 2010+ combat. In the US it was gradually replaced by the much costier and complex Bradley, whereas a change of doctrine led to the adoption of a derivative of the Piranha, the LAV-Stryker family wheeled APCs for fast deployments. However Israel knew and already tested the Stryker and found it not adapted to its needs and the middle east in general, something the USMC soon found out in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Over the years, a variety of heavy armored personnel carriers have been developed, starting with Shot (Centurion) leading to a whole family of heavy armored personnel carriers such as the Nagmashot, Nagmachon, Nakpadon, and the Puma developed for the needs of the Combat Engineering Corps, starting and ending with the modern Nimr (Merkava armored personnel carrier). The latter is even more heavily armored, and has proven itself on the battlefield, but its high cost has led to a reduced adoption. Another disadvantage of the Nirm lied in the difficulty of transport. A regular tank carrier truck could carry two M-113 armored personnel carriers at the same time, but only one Nimr heavy armored personnel carrier.

The severe consequences of the APC incident in Shajaiyah that occurred during Operation Protective Edge as part of the 2014 Gaza war (The Hezbollah had rocket-propelled grenades, home-made drones, SA 7 Grail anti-aircraft missiles, Kornet 9M133 anti-tank guided missiles) sparked severe public criticism of the IDF's slow acquisition of heavy APCs, and resulted in soldiers sent into battle on the outdated and vulnerable M-113. In response the IDF staff claimed that due to the high cost of the Merkava heavy APC, they had no affordable replacement for the M-113, still the mainstay of the IDF APC fleet. Nevertheless, to prevent a recurrence of this type of incident, the IDF began converting Merkava Mark 2 tanks into a more auster, cheaper heavy APC called the "Ofek". At the same time the Merkava Tank Directorate was ordered to accelerate the development of a new wheeled APC called "Eitan", named after Operation Protective Edge.

The Eitan is tested and adopted (2016-2022)

The Eitan was developed as a well-protected wheeled APC capable of carrying 12 ully equipped soldiers like the M113. Its significantly lower production cost compared to the Nimr and its passive and active protection, makes it complementary along with the Nirm, and a suitable replacement at last for the M-113 APC. The Eitan however several advantages over the Nirmr: Its 8x8 chassis allows greater mobility between the FOB and combat theater without dependence on heavy transports like tracked vehicles on roads. Its high speed and mobility all terrain and especially on road make it also less vulnerable than the Nirm when targeted. The 8x8 wheeltrain is also a guarantee of redundancy and survival. Even after loosing one or two, the vehicle is capable of going back. Plus its belly is V-shaped to face mine and IED blasts, unlike the Merkava-I based Nimr, a 1960s design.

The prototype was first presented on August 1, 2016. On the 24th, soldiers of the 50th Battalion under command of Yair Zuckerman were deployed on this APC for a series of tests at a training ground in the Golan Heights, testing its behavious on difficult and diverse terrains. In August 2019, the Ministry of Defense announced the decision to purchase hundreds of "Durban Arrow" systems as protection for the new Eitan APC, as well as D9 bulldozers. In December 2022, NMTK and Elbit Systems conducted a series of successful tests on the "Durban Arrow" system of the Eitan APC. Final integration started as well as installation of the bulldozer kit. In 2025, the Israel Defense Prize for the development and production of the Eitan was awarded to the Merkava and Armored Vehicle Administration (MAA) at the Ministry of Defense, Defense Procurement Administration (DPA), Armaments Department, and Defence School.

The first production batch of Eitan started to arrive in active units in 2023 and were deployed rght away. In addition, the cost is significantly lower not only up front, but its maintenance is also cheaper and easier, and eliminating the need for an heavy transporter. During the first presentation of the vehicle, Brigadier General Baruch Matzliach, at the head of the Merkava and Armored Vehicles (DARP) Directorate sais that two versions of the Eitan will be provided, both capable of carrying 12 infantry.

Design of the Eitan

The Eitan is a 8x8 APC roughly similar to many cometitors such as the KTO Rosomak, BTR 4, Boxer, CM-32, FNSS PARS III, Freccia, Iveco SuperAV, K808 White Tiger, LAV 6, Mowag Piranha IV/V, Otokar Arma, Pandur II, Patria AMV, Stryker, TATA Kestrel, Terrex ICV, VBCI, and VPK-7829 Bumerang. It has a flat side hull with a Vee type underbelly and flat roof and nose, which is given slopes to deflect projectiles. Like the Stryker there is a right side driver's position, with a semi-retractable glassed post, which could be closed off for a 3-vision blocks system (central IR block). The engine is located on the left side, past the transmission, with access and louvres above.

Then comes two hatches positions for a commander and manual backup for the RWS operation and the latter operator, so four in front of the main troop compartment. Next is the troop compartment with eight suspended seats, four either side, and space for their equipment, no pistol port, and on the roof no hatch but a storage rack. Access and exit for the troops are through a single door protected by two outer fuel tanks, like for the Merkava and Nimr. For general awareness, the Eitan will be equipped with more than 10 day and night cameras, 34 computers, and 5 touch screens for a fully digital battlefield awareness.

Powerplant

The Eitan is powered by a home-grown turbo diesel engine rated for 750 hp (560 kW), spread on a 8X8 drive. The wheeled chassis offers a high maximum speed when traveling on the road at 90 km/h (governed), allowing fast deployment and extraction from a combat zone, when a Nimr at best id capable of 50 kph. The only disadvantage is that a wheeled chassis has lower grip on muddy and sandy terrain than a tracked vehicle.

Armament

Depending on the versions. The first, basic APC produced came out with a M2 Browning heavy machine gun mounted on a remote weapon system in addition to medium machine guns, similar to the Nimr and other heavy APCs in IDF service. However a second version in current development, assimilated as an IFV will carry an unmanned turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon, a coaxial light machine gun, and a 60 mm mortar as well as a more elaborate active protection system.

Protection

The Eitan was designed to integrate from the start both passive and reactive protection similar to the Merkava IV tank but also the latest active protection. 20 tons of rolled homogeneous, hardened steel protects the APC for a start at all angles against basic ballistic threats, small arms fire and shrapnel, we could assume around 8mm. When the vehicle was first unveiled in August 2016, it was presented with a Rafael Defence system, but the possibility of using the competing Hetz Durban system from IMI was not ruled out.

Its undercarriage, provides superior protection against charges of up to 12 kg of TNT. The Eitan also has puncture-resistant tires and an automatic central tire inflation system to adapt to all terrains and continue even with punctured and shot out tyres at 50 km/h for a maximum distance of 16 km. However the basic passive protection remains lower than that of the Nimr/Merkava APC. The Eitan also has two sets of three smoke projectors that could be used to launch anti-personal grenades, and can be automatically activated.

Main variants

Basic APC

The version of the Eitan delivered to the Nahal Brigade is primarily intended for the protected transport of infantry and field force fighters. This version is armed with an M2 Browning heavy machine gun that will be mounted on a "lethal" position in addition to medium machine guns, similar to the NMR and most heavy APCs in IDF service.

Eitan IFV

This new version in development is to be armed with an unmanned turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon, a coaxial machine gun, a 60 mm mortar and a second genetation active protection system. Its role will be to bring extra firepower for deep maneuver in coordination and support to existing APCs in an organic way.

Deployment

In 2018, the IDF ordered hundreds of Eitan APVs and IFVs. It was also decided that the Nahal Brigade would be the first to receive it so by May 2018, the Nahal Brigade conducted a significant company exercise of the Basalt Battalion under command of Lt. Col. Eitan Gilad to evaluate the capabilities of the Eitan. On February 9, 2020, the MoD announced the start of production. On June 10, 2022, the first APC rolled off the assembly line at the Dori Camp Rehabilitation and Maintenance Center base in Tel Hashomer. At the end of December 2022, Israel ordered hundreds of Eitans from Oshkosh for $100 million, to be paid for from American aid funds. The vehicles were scheduled to arrive in Israel within a year and a half of the signing date in February 2023, and then enter the production line at the Tel Hashomer base, for the final assembly.

At the end of May 2023, the Eitans started to be absorbed into the Nahal Patrol unit of the Nahal Brigade, first series delivered. On October 7, 2023, the Eitan was declared operational for the first time in the framework the Gaza War. The baptism of fire against Hezbollah terrorists started after the massacre at Zikim Beach. The Nahal Patrol reported the fst-moving ability of the vehicle was a definitive asset for reaching the scene, driven on road with the governor off, at they maximal speed of 120 km/h according to the crews, even though the official, declared speed was 90 km/h. The Eitan was first seen operating deep inside the Gaza Strip, as shown in a photo released by an IDF spokesman on the morning of the 13th day of combat on November 5, 2023. The IDF converted several Eitan into ambulances, called "Eitanambulances" evacuating hundreds of wounded people from the Gaza Strip.

During Operation Golden Hand, the two hostages, Luis Herr and Fernando Simon Merman, were rescued from a location in Rafah using an Eitan armored personnel carrier. During Operation Iron Walls, IDF forces also began operating with the new Eitan armored personnel carriers in Tulkarm and Jenin as part of the Bisalach operation in the Five Villages. The APCs are used for supply, evacuation and other local missions. During Operation Roar of the Eagle, Palestinian reports began to emerge of the use of Eitans in the Nablus area... To be updated in the future.

Eitan Specs.
Dimensions (l-w-h)	8 x 3 x 3 m (26.2 x 9.8 ft x 9.8 ft)
Total weight, battle ready	up to 50 tonnes
Crew	12 (Driver, gunner, Commander, +9 troops)
Propulsion	MTU 6V890 diesel 6.67L 750 PS (552 kW)
Transmission	Allison 4800 SP
Suspensions	Torsion bars +shock absorbers
Top Speed	90 km/h (56 mph) official
Range (road)	1,000 km (620 mi)
Armament	Samson RCWS (Katlanit) M2, 7.62mm LMG, see notes
Armour	Passive +ERA, see notes
Active Protection	Iron Fist Light Decoupled APS
Production	Current by 60 % Oshkosh, Allison Elbit Rafael MTU $5 million apiece

Eitan APC in Gaza, 2023

Sources

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