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TheAchzarit (אכזרית inHebrew: "cruel", feminineinflection) is a heavilyarmored personnel carrier manufactured by theIsraeli Defence Forces Corps of Ordnance.[1]
| IDF Achzarit Mk 2 | |
|---|---|
 Achzarit armed with anOWS station | |
| Type | Armoured personnel carrier |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union Israel |
| Service history | |
| Wars | South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Gaza War Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip (2023–present) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israeli Defence Forces Corps of Ordnance |
| Manufacturer | NIMDA |
| Produced | 1988–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 44 tonnes |
| Length | 6.20 m |
| Width | 3.60 m |
| Height | >2 m (estimate) |
| Crew | 3 + 7 passengers |
| Armor | composite |
Main armament | RafaelOWS fitted with a 7.62 mmFN MAG |
Secondary armament | 2×7.62 mm FN MAG |
| Engine | Achzarit 1 : Detroit Diesel 8V-71 TTA Achzarit 2 : 8V-92TA/DDC III Achzarit 1 : 650 hp (478 kW) Achzarit 2 : 850 hp (625 kW) |
| Power/weight | 14 hp/tonne or19.3 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | Achzarit 1 : Allison XTG-411-4 Achzarit 2 : XTG-411-5A |
| Suspension | Kinetics modifiedtorsion-bar |
Operational range | 600 km |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h (Achzarit 2) |
History
editThe Achzarit is based on theSoviet-builtT-54/T-55tank,[2] beginning with those captured fromArab armies during theArab–Israeli wars. To make space for a troop compartment, the eight-and-a-half tonnes turret, the original superstructure of the chassis and the transversely mounted engine were removed.[2]Non-Explosive Reactive Armour was installed over the original hull.[3] The first model of the Achzarit entered in service in 1988.
Design
editProtection
editThe Achzarit can withstand both shaped-charges and armor-piercing projectiles which would destroy conventional IFVs. The manufacturers claim[4] that the machine can withstand repeated 125 mm APFSDS hits over its frontal arc. At 44 tonnes, the machine is exceptionally heavy for an infantry carrier. The fact that 14 tonnes of the vehicle's weight is made up of additional advanced special composite armor, gives some indication as to its high degree of protection.
Weapons
editIt is armed with three 7.62 mmmachine guns, including oneRafael Overhead Weapons Station, a machine gun controlled from within the cabin, developed byRafael Advanced Defense Systems. As a lesson from theSecond Intifada, aballistic glass turret was installed over one of the hatches to enable the commander to see outside without being exposed to small arms fire and shrapnel.
Several Achzarit in service have been upgraded with a 12.7 mmSamson Remote Controlled Weapon Station in place of the standard 7.62 mmRafael Overhead Weapon Station.
Operations
editBecause of its heavy armor, the Achzarit is sometimes called a Heavy APC (HAPC).
Achzarit APCs took part inOperation Rainbow inRafah, after a comparatively lightly armoredM113 APC was destroyed by anRPG. Achzarit APCs were also involved in theGaza War (2008–09).
OnOctober 7, 2023, several old APCs were captured by Palestinian militants inNahal Oz.[1]
Gallery
edit
See also
edit- VIU-55 Munja, similar example fromSerbia
- BTR-T, similar example from Russia
- BMPT Terminator, a Russian tank-derived AFV designed to fight infantry rather than transport it
- BMPV-64ru:БМПВ-64/uk:БМПВ-64: A Ukrainian heavyinfantry combat vehicle based on the T-64 chassis
- Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier), a series of Allied World War 2 armoured personnel carriers that were based on converted tanks.
References
edit- ^abAxe, David (2023-10-12)."Israel Converted Captured Arab T-55 Tanks Into Heavy Personnel Carriers. Hamas Just Captured A Tenth Of Them".Forbes. Retrieved2023-10-16.
The result is a very heavy armored personnel carrier tipping the scales at a whopping 49 tons. An Achzarit actually is heavier than a T-55 is. The vehicle pays for its heavy protection with a low power-to-weight ratio of just 18 horsepower per ton, and a commensurate reduction in mobility compared to a T-55.
- ^ab"Achzarit". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved2009-11-05.
- ^Gelbart, Marsh (2004).Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8.ISBN 978-1841765792.
- ^Gelbart, Marsh (2004).Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8.ISBN 978-1841765792.
- ^"Achzarit". 2003-04-06. Archived fromthe original on 2003-04-06. Retrieved2023-11-02.
- ^"Achzarit". 2023-11-02. Archived fromthe original on 2023-11-02. Retrieved2023-11-02.
External links
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