Tanks for Nothing

IDF tanks to be fitted with advanced anti-missile systems

The Israel Defense Forces will begin equipping its tanks with an advanced, active protection system capable of countering the latest anti-tank missiles. The locally developed system, known by its export name as Trophy, will be installed on Merkava Mark IV tanks, partly in response to the experience of the recent war in Lebanon. The new defense system creates a "canopy" that surrounds the tank, identifies the threat of the incoming anti-tank missile, and destroys that missile's warhead before it strikes.

The trophy system was ready for use years ago. The question we should be asking, is why this system was not fitted to Israeli tanks before the IDF's emabarassing debacle in Lebanon this summer. Israel... get a grip! Not just on your tank tyres, on the ineffective security doctrine that is so badly letting this counrty down.