The Production and Procurement Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) has awarded Elbit Systems an initial contract worth NIS 109 million (approx. $31 million) to deliver Iron Fist active protection systems (APS) for the Israeli Army’s Eitan armored fighting vehicles (AFV).
The systems will be delivered over a five-year period, according to a company announcement.
More specifically, Elbit Systems will equip the new wheeled AFVs with the Iron Fist light decoupled (IFLD) systems which use optical sensors, tracking radar, launchers and countermeasure munitions to defeat threats.
The Iron Fist system provides 360-degree protection coverage for close-range scenarios in both open terrain and urban environment.
“We are proud to be in a position to provide the IDF with such an important operational capability. This award adds to the growing interest in the Iron Fist by many modern armed forces who seek to enhance the protection capabilities of their AFVs,” Yehuda (Udi) Vered, executive vice president and general manager of Elbit Systems Land Division, said.
The Israeli Army’s new Eitan AFV is replacing the M113s currently in service and will complement the Namer tracked APCs.
The Iron Fist was also purchased by the US Army in late 2018 for installation on a number of its M2 Bradley IFVs.
