The Ministry of Defense on Thursday announced its plan to install hundreds of Trophy Active Protection System (APS), a.k.a. “Windbreaker,” in IDF armored vehicles such as older generation tanks and troops carriers. Today, every new Mark IV Merkava tank has an advanced defense system installed on it.
Trophy is the product of a collaborative development project of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries’ Elta Group. Its primary purpose is to supplement the armor of light and heavy armored fighting vehicles against missile strikes.
According to Globes, the current order is believed to be more than $130 million for hundreds of Rafael’s Trophy systems. But even before deciding to procure hundreds of the advanced defense systems, the Ministry of Defense decided to expedite procurement of Namer APCs for IDF infantry units as part of its implementation of lessons learned in Operation Protective Edge. Namer is capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain, carrying up to 12 troops. Namer also shares a digital battlefield management system with the Merkava Mark IV tank, giving it hunter-killer team capabilities.
The IDF ground forces and the Tank Administration have recently completed a series of successful tests of the Trophy systems installed on Namer APCs. The Ministry of Defense also reported that the system had thwarted attempts by Hamas to use antitank missiles against IDF vehicles during Operation Protective Edge.
A new wheeled APC called Eitan, also be protected with Trophy systems, is expected to replace the aging M-113 used by IDF combat troops.
