Wikipedia

Namer

For other uses, seeNamer (disambiguation).

Namer(Hebrew:נמ "ר,pronounced[naˈmeʁ];meaning "leopard,"and also asyllabic abbreviationof "Nagmash "(APC) and"Merkava ") is an Israeliarmoured personnel carrierbased on aMerkava Mark IVtank chassis.[5]Namer was developed by and is being assembled by theIsraeli Ordnance Corps.It has entered service in limited numbers with theIsrael Defense Forcessince 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 theM113until 2027.[6]

Namer
Namer IFV/APCNamer with TROPHY active protection system
Top:Namer HAPC in a drill, armed with aM2 BrowningonRCWS.
Bottom:Namer withTrophy (Windbreaker) APSandM2 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
Mass63.5tonnes[3]
Crew3 (commander, driver, RCWS operator) + 9 troops
ArmorClassifiedcomposite matrixof laminatedceramic–steel–nickelalloy+ underlaidreactive armour.Slopedmodular design.
Main
armament
Samson RCWSequipped with either12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 machine gunorMk 19 grenade launcher
Secondary
armament
Engine1,200 hp (895 kW)turbochargeddiesel engine
Power/weight20 hp/tonne (15 kW/tonne)
Payload capacity9 infantrymen[4]
SuspensionHelical spring
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed85.2 km/h (50 mph)

History

edit
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

edit

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armouredAPCs/IFVs.This concept was also driven by the fact that many of the ~250 Merkava Mark I tanks were being withdrawn from service, and it was also made clear that the 105 mm armament of the Merkava Mark IIs could not be upgraded with the modernIMI 120 mm gun.

The development did not progress much in the 1990s due to funding issues, but following2004 Israel–Gaza conflict,which exposed the vulnerability of theM113 armored personnel carriertoimprovised explosive devicesandrocket-propelled grenades,the IDF reconsidered the development.[7]At that point, theStrykerarmoured personnel carrier was considered, but was rejected by the IDF.[8]

2005–present

edit

Eventually,IDF Ordnancedeveloped 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 calledNemmera(Hebrew:leopardess), but later renamed toNamer(Hebrew:leopard), while the nameNemmerarefers to a Merkava-basedARV.

On 15 February 2005,Maarivreported that a Namer prototype based on the Merkava Mark I was fielded by theGivati Brigadefor trials and evaluation. It was equipped with aRafael Overhead Weapon Station,which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. This same unit was demonstrated at theEurosatory2005 military exhibition, where potential export customers showed interest.

Lessons learned in the battles of the2006 Lebanon Waralso 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 builtab initiobased 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 inRishon LeZion.

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

Namer inYad 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 sevenGolani Brigadesoldiers, who were killed by an RPG in Gaza while riding aVietnam War-eraM113whose 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 withIsrael Military Industries'sIron 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 withRafael'sTrophy 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, theJerusalem Postreported that all new Namers would be delivered with theTrophy active protection system,and that the quantity of Namers ordered had been doubled from the previous year.[18]

At the end of 2016, the IDFCombat Engineering Corpsstarted to operate the NamerCEV(Hebrew:נמ "ר הנדסי – נמר" ה). The Namer CEV is equipped with theTrophy 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 thewar in Gaza.

Design

edit

Survivability

edit

The Namer has been designed for survivability and rapid repair, with modular armor,V-hullbelly armor pack, andCBRN 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 theTrophyactive 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 inOperation Protective Edgeagainst 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

edit

Namers are armed with either anM2 Browning machine gunor anMk 19 grenade launchermounted on aSamson Remote Controlled Weapon Station,as well as a 7.62 mm (FN MAG) machine gun and a 60 mmmortar.Smoke grenade launchers are also carried.

On 31 July 2017, the Israeli Defense Ministry (IDF) released video of aninfantry fighting vehicleversion 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 twoSpike-MRmissiles 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 theEitan AFV.[23]

Capabilities

edit
Namer IFV version

Namer is capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain, powered by theTeledyne ContinentalAVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW)V12air-cooleddiesel engineof 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 aNamerbulanceMEDEVAC 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 adigital battlefield management systemwith Merkava Mark IV, giving ithunter-killer teamcapabilities.

Namer CEV

edit
Namer CEV version inYad La-Shiryon69thIndependence Dayexhibition
Namer CEV in IDF exhibition, 2018

On 13 April 2016, the Israeli Defense Ministry released video and photos ofcombat engineering versionsof 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 theCombat Engineering Corps,and is projected to enter service of the 601st Battalion in 2021.

Combat history

edit

In 2014, Namers took part inOperation 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 by9M133 KornetATGMs.[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 manyM113scurrently fielded by IDF combat units.[26]In 2023, Namers took part inOperation Swords of Iron.On 21 October 2023, eleven soldiers from theGivati Infantry Brigade'sTzabar 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 Brigadespublished footage of its forces attacking a Namer using a ChineseHJ-8ATGM, hitting the vehicle, causing an external fire on the carry-on CARPET demining system.[30]

Users

edit
  • 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 theGaza Waras part of theGolani Brigade.[32]By 2014, there were up to 120 Namers in service, and they took part inOperation 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

edit
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, theU.S. Armyconducted non-developmental vehicle operational assessments of current combat vehicles to evaluate capabilities against requirements for purchase of a new IFV for theGround Combat Vehicleprogram. One of the vehicles validated was the Namer.[36]In April 2013, theCongressional Budget Officereleased 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

edit

References

edit
  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).Archivedfrom the original on 7 October 2022.Retrieved18 August2014.
  2. ^abYehoshua, Yossi (22 September 2014)."Ya'alon approves addition of 200 advanced APCs for the IDF".Ynetnews.Archivedfrom the original on 28 December 2022.
  3. ^"Namer APC Specifications".Flickr.
  4. ^"New Artillery Cannon for APC".Israel Defense Forces.Archived fromthe originalon 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.ISBN9780982328330.Retrieved14 February2011.
  6. ^abYehoshua, Yossi (22 September 2014)."Ya'alon approves addition of 200 advanced APCs for the IDF".Ynetnews.Archivedfrom 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).Archivedfrom the original on 28 December 2022.Retrieved18 August2014.
  8. ^"Armored warfare: Israel Drops Stryker for Merkava APC".Fresh.co.il. 11 January 2005.Archivedfrom 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.ISBN1-84176-579-1.
  10. ^"Armor: The Ultimate IFV".Strategy Page. 20 July 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 8 November 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  11. ^"2 March 2008"עין הנמ "ר.Israel Defense Forces(in Hebrew). Archived fromthe originalon 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.Retrieved18 August2014.
  13. ^"General Dynamics Selected for Merkava Armored Personnel Carriers for Israel".PR Newswire.General Dynamics Land Systems. 25 October 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  14. ^Dagoni, Ran (14 January 2014)."Israel halves Namer order with General Dynamics".Globes.Archivedfrom the original on 2 December 2023.
  15. ^Lappin, Yaakov (3 March 2015)."Defense Ministry doubles orders for tank, Namer APC parts".The Jerusalem Post.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2024.
  16. ^"Namer Heavy Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle".Army Technology.20 June 2010.Archivedfrom the original on 23 September 2023.
  17. ^Opall-Rome, Barbara (28 January 2016)."Israel To Equip Troop Carriers With Trophy APS".Defense News.Archivedfrom the original on 20 January 2024.
  18. ^Lappin, Yaakov (7 March 2016)."APCs with Trophy system rolling off production lines".The Jerusalem Post.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2024.
  19. ^abאמיר (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.Archivedfrom the original on 11 November 2014.
  20. ^"Enter the Namer".Defense Update. June 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2014.Retrieved18 August2014.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 18 January 2024.
  22. ^"Israeli Ministry of Defense introduces NAMER tracked IFV with 30mm automatic cannon".Army Recognition.2 August 2017.Archivedfrom 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.Archivedfrom the original on 15 May 2023.Retrieved13 December2018.
  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 fromthe originalon 2 April 2015.
  25. ^Opall-Rome, Barbara (13 April 2016)."Israel Tests Engineering Versions of APS-Protected Troop Carrier".Defense News.Archivedfrom 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.Archivedfrom 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.ISSN0029-7712.Retrieved15 June2024.
  30. ^AlJazeera Arabic قناة الجزيرة (24 June 2024).كتائب القسام تستهدف آلية إسرائيلية بصاروخ "السهم الأحمر" الموجه.Retrieved24 June2024– via YouTube.
  31. ^"Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) – Namer".Israel Defense Forces.Archived fromthe originalon 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 fromthe originalon 27 February 2009.
  33. ^The Military Balance 2022(1st ed.). Routledge. 14 February 2022.ISBN9781032279008.
  34. ^"Israel rearms Azerbaijani army".PanARMENIAN.Net. 30 June 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 9 July 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  35. ^"Israel has offered the procurement of main battle tank Merkava IV and Namer APC to Colombia".Army Recognition. 24 May 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 20 November 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  36. ^"US Army conducts NDV assessments for GCV programme".Army Technology.23 May 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 14 May 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  37. ^Hoffman, Michael (3 April 2013)."Report: GCV is worst choice to replace Bradley".Military.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2 April 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
  38. ^Hoffman, Michael (4 April 2013)."Army, industry slam CBO's scathing GCV report".Military.com.Archivedfrom the original on 5 October 2023.Retrieved18 August2014.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toNamer APC.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Namer&oldid=1269257927"