From main battle tanks and drones to fighter jets and guns, the IDF’s inventory will undoubtedly be put to use.
Israel’s defense forces initiated the main phase of the country’s ground operation in Gaza City this week. According to Israeli military officials, the final efforts to dismantle Hamas in the enclave will be carried out in this ongoing offensive. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief spokesman Efi Deffrin said that this operation could last several months, as it will take time to fully rid Gaza of the terror group’s stronghold and the boobytraps that will certainly be left behind in the aftermath. The IDF’s 162nd and 98th Divisions took part in the initial stages of the operation and will soon be followed by the 36th Division, the 14th Division, and the 99th Division, which have all already been fighting throughout the enclave. “This phase is defined by a coordinated and gradual maneuver combining precise intelligence, air and ground forces, operating at targeting Hamas’s central stronghold and aimed at dismantling its grip in this area. Our objectives remain unchanged: bringing home the hostages and dismantling Hamas,” a military official described. As the operation continues, many weapons and military equipment will be used in the offensive. From main battle tanks and drones to fighter jets and guns, the IDF’s inventory will undoubtedly be put to use.
The Merkava
Israel’s Merkava main battle tank (MBT) series will likely lead the way in the country’s ground offensive. As the backbone of the IDF’s Armored Corps, the Merkava platform has remained a critical player in the Jewish state’s defense apparatus for more than four decades. The MBT was designed and developed in the Merkava and Armored Combat Vehicles Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense shortly following the nation’s birth in 1948. Since its founding, Israel has prioritized fielding domestic products in order to remain self-reliant. The Merkava is arguably one of Israel’s most significant local innovations. From its Chobham armor to its unique layout with a reversed engine transmission, the Israeli tank is considered to be one of the most effective MBTs of its kind in service today.
Over the years, the Merkava series has undergone many upgrades, ensuring its relevance in the modern era. Today, one of the tank’s leading capabilities is its Trophy Active Protection System, which protects the tank from a vast array of projectiles, including anti-tank guided missiles, anti-tank rockets, and high-explosive anti-tank rounds. Notably, this homegrown system improves the tank’s ability to target enemy MBTs and, therefore, increases the crew’s survivability.
The newest Merkava iteration, the Barak, sports even more impressive attributes. According to the IDF, the Barak will match its predecessors when it comes to lethality, but also fields new technologies that will elevate the platform’s prowess on the ground. New advanced AI, multi-touch 21-inch screens, and sophisticated helmets often associated with fighter jet pilots make the Barak unparalleled in capability when it comes to Israel’s adversaries. The Elbit helmet displays information about ongoing fighting to operators and “generates an image that enables the crew to ‘see through’ the vehicle’s armor,” according to the helmet’s manufacturer.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: Shutterstock.
