Active Protection Systems (APS) that protect tanks and other armored fighting vehicles by detecting and destroying anti-tank missiles and RPGs received a huge boost with Israel's announcement its home grown Trophy APS will protect all of its newest Markava Mark IV tanks and Namer heavy armored personnel carriers.

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Israel's Ministry of Defense will purchase hundreds of additional Trophy APS' from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the maker of this system. The Trophy APS is a battle tested design that proved its worth during Operation Protective Edge or the 2014 Gaza War.

It successfully intercepted over a dozen anti-tank weapons, including Russian made ATGMs such as 9M133 Kornet and Metis, and the shoulder launched RPG-29.

Trophy's use in this campaign was the first time in military history where an active defense system proved itself in intense fighting. Israel claims none of its Merkava tanks with the Trophy APS were damaged in the fighting.

Trophy intercepts and destroys incoming missiles and rockets with a shotgun-like blast of multiple explosively-formed projectiles.

Each Trophy system integrates an early warning and battle management radar covering 360 degrees and is designed to defeat incoming threats at a stand-off distance.

Most of the Israel Defense Force's Merkava Mark IV tanks are now protected by Trophy and these tanks have been designated Merkava Mk 4m Windbreaker. Israel has produced 360 Merkava Mark IV tanks.

The Namer heavy armored personnel carrier, which is based on the Merkava chassis, is the most heavily armored vehicle in the world, tanks included. It carries 12 men (3 crew and 9 soldiers) but is available in limited numbers because of its expensive cost.

Only 120 Namers have been built. This APC saw action in the 2014 Gaza War.

Apart from the Merkava and Namer, the IDF plans to install Trophy on future wheeled APCs such as the Eitan, which is currently in evaluation.

TagsActive Protection Systems, APS, Trophy APS, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Merkava Mark IV, Merkava Mk 4m Windbreaker, Namer heavy armored personnel carrier