Israel at War: "Ofek" Heavy Armored Personnel Carriers Partake in the Fighting
IDF's new heavy armored personnel carrier, "Ofek," (“horizon” in Hebrew) is currently participating in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. According to the Army Recognition website, together with Merkava Mark 4 tanks that were brought down as reinforcements to the Gaza Strip, vehicles of this type based on the Merkava Mark 2 tank chassis were also identified.
The Ofek is an armored command and control that primarily supports select forces within the IDF, including medical, logistical, and rescue units, complementing the use of Namer and Achzarit (based on a T-55 tank) heavily armored personnel carriers primarily utilized by infantry units
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The Ofek has highly advanced command and control capabilities. Its capabilities enable secure and physically protected satellite uplink and local network relays, providing Israeli units with an advantage across a range of combat scenarios. This advantage is particularly pronounced in challenging environments, including densely populated urban areas and complex terrains like hills and mountains, where conventional line-of-sight communications often fall short.
With a crew capacity of two individuals and the ability to accommodate approximately 10 dismounts, the Ofek is a versatile and capable armored personnel carrier. Troop ingress and egress are facilitated through the original rear hatch of the Merkava Mark II tank, supplemented by additional roof hatches for increased flexibility. The armament on the Ofek heavy armored personnel carrier includes at least one 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the roof.
The website estimates that the level of protection offered by the Ofek is believed to be on par with that of the Merkava Mark II main battle tank, explaining its weight of approximately 60 tons. The design of the Ofek incorporates a sizable superstructure atop the hull in place of the original turret, which includes the integration of cage armor to provide additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds.
Additionally, the vehicle is likely equipped with jamming equipment designed to counter radio signals used for detonating roadside bombs, enhancing its survivability in asymmetric warfare environments. This protection extends to guarding against direct fire and artillery splinters, enhancing the vehicle's survivability on the battlefield.
The Ofek armored vehicle is also equipped with energy-absorbing seats produced by Mobius Defense Solutions, an Israeli company specializing in life-saving and energy-absorbing systems for military vehicles. These seats have been designed to meet the operational requirements of the IDF and encompass a fire-resistant foam and padding system, a blast protection system to withstand explosions, and a suite of ergonomic features for enhanced comfort and functionality.
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