| Namer | |
|---|---|
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin |  Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008– |
| Used by | Israel Defense Forces |
| Wars | Gaza War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Israel Military Industries |
| Manufacturer | IDF Ordnance (assembly) |
| Unit cost | $3 million |
| Produced | 2008– |
| Number built | 15-45 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 60 tonnes |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, RCWS operator) |
| | |
| Armor | Classified composite matrix of laminated ceramic-steel-nickel alloy + underlaid reactive armour. Sloped modular design. |
| Primary armament | Samson RCWS equipped with either 0.5 in (12.7 mm) M2 machine gun, or Mk 19 grenade launcher, or smaller MG. |
| Secondary armament | 1 × 7.62 mm (0.3 in) FN MAG MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) external mortar 12 smoke grenades |
| Engine | 1,200 hp (895 kW) turbocharged diesel engine |
| Power/weight | 20 hp/ton |
| Payload capacity | 9 infantrymen |
| Suspension | Helical spring |
| Operational range | 500 km (311 mi) |
| Speed | 60 km/h (40 mph) - top speed |
The experience of converting Centurion tanks into armored personnel carriers (Nagmachon) and combat engineering vehicles (Puma, Nakpadon), followed by the successful conversion of many T-54 and T-55 tanks into Achzarit infantry fighting vehicles pushed the idea of converting Merkava tanks into heavily armored APCs / IFVs. The concept held great promise, because many of the 250 Merkava Mark I's were being gradually withdrawn from service and it was also made clear that the 105 mm armament of the Merkava Mark IIs could not be upgraded to the more modern IMI 120 mm gun. The development did not progress much in the 1990s due to lack of funds, but following 2004 Israel–Gaza conflict, which exposed the vulnerability of the M113 armored personnel carrier to improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades, the IDF re-opened the development. At that point domestic production of Namer was preferred over purchasing the Stryker armored personnel carrier.
2005-present
Eventually, IDF Ordnance developed some heavy-duty infantry fighting vehicle prototypes based on the Merkava Mark I chassis, and also a handful of IFVs based on the Merkava Mark IV chassis. The vehicle was initially called Nemmera (Hebrew: leopardess), but later renamed to Namer.
On February 15, 2005 Maariv reported that a running Namer prototype based on the Merkava Mark I was fielded by the Givati Brigade for trials and evaluation. It was equipped with a Rafael Overhead Weapon Station, which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. This same unit was demonstrated at the Eurosatory 2005 military exhibition with possible export customers showing interest.
Lessons learned in the battles of the 2006 Lebanon War also largely verified this program. Consequently, in 2007 it was reported that the first fifteen Namers would be delivered in 2008, and over a hundred more will finally equip two combat brigades. However, conversion plans were abandoned in favor to newly-built Merkava Mark IV chassis.
On March 1, 2008 an operational, started from scratch and fully-developed Namer IFV based on Merkava Mark IV chassis was officially presented by the IDF. Reportedly, the construction was urged on May 2008 by importing parts from the US. On September 15, 2008, the Namer was unveiled to the general public at an exhibition in Rishon LeZion.
Namer Design
Survivability
Like the Merkava Mark IV, Namer has been designed for a high level of crew survival on the battlefield with modular armor, reinforced V-shaped belly armor pack, and NBC protection. It is also ready to be equipped with an active protection system. As of June 2009, the IDF approved the acquisition of Israel Military Industries' Iron Fist active protection system for the Namer.
Armament
Namer is armed with either a M2 Browning machine gun or a Mk 19 grenade launcher mounted on a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, a 7.62 mm (FN MAG) machine gun, a 60 mm mortar. Smoke grenade launchers are also carried. Mounting an external remote controlled 30-mm autocannon and Spike anti-tank guided missiles is also considered.
Capabilities
Namer is capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain, powered by the Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel engine of 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 a Namerbulance MEDEVAC version. 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 a digital battlefield management system with Merkava Mark IV.
Users
Israel
- The Golani Brigade was the first to acquire the Namer. 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. Two Namers took part in the Gaza War as part of the Golani Brigade. As of February 2009[update], IDF had ordered 130 Namers and already received about ten, while planning to order a total of 800 vehicles. As of June 2009[update], IDF received 15 vehicles out of current order of 45.
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