Rafael's Trophy and IMI's Iron Fist to Compete in Early 2013

Israel's Ministry of Defense decides to fit Merkava APCs with Rafael’s Aspro-A (Trophy) active protection system, and conduct trials prior to the decision regarding the development of the IDF’s second-generation active protection system.

In early 2013, the Israeli Ministry of Defense will test the two systems competing for the tender of the IDF's second-generation active protection system for tanks and APCs: Rafael's Aspro-A (Trophy) system and IMI's Iron Fist system. The trials will be conducted after a batch of first-generation Trophy systems were already ordered in late 2012 for the new Merkava APCs coming off the production line. The question of which active protection system will be fitted to the IDF's future tanks and APCs has occupied the Israeli defense system for a number of years.

Both systems are based on the principle of active protection, namely – launching interceptors toward the incoming missile, and intercepting it before it reaches the vehicle being protected. However, while Rafael's Trophy system scatters metal balls around the tank or APC, IMI's Iron Fist system intercepts the incoming threat using a missile launched at it. Rafael's Trophy system includes surveillance radar by Elta, while IMI's Iron Fist system includes a radar by Rada.

For several years, the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure at the Israeli Ministry of Defense was involved in the financing of both systems concurrently. In November 2010, a decision was made to suspend the ministry’s participation in the Iron Fist project, while at the same time initiating procurement of first-generation Trophy systems for the first batch of Merkava Mark-IV tanks. As of March 2011, the Trophy system recorded a number of successful interceptions of RPG antitank rockets launched at IDF tanks in the Gaza Strip sector.

The Israeli defense establishment recently decided to expand the supply of first-generation Trophy systems by fitting those systems to the Merkava APCs manufactured in the US by General Dynamics and assembled in Israel. At the same time, the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Udi Shani, attempted throughout 2012 to compel Rafael and IMI to combine the different antitank missile interception systems they were developing.

The ministry decided to compel both companies to combine their different active protection systems into a single system, one that would have a radar system by Elta, an interceptor by IMI and a C3 system by Rafael – which would also serve as the prime contractor of the project. However, IMI CEO Avi Felder refused to cooperate with that decision, unless IMI became an equal partner in the project. Last year, IMI signed agreements with foreign companies regarding the international marketing of the Iron Fist system, once the system development process has been completed.

With the option of combining the systems no longer on the agenda, an IDF source told IsraelDefense that pursuant to the trials scheduled for early 2013, a decision will be made as to whether the second-generation active protection system would be a continuation of Rafael's Trophy system, or whether IMI would be given another chance to continue the development of their Iron Fist system so that IDF may acquire this system. The IDF's second-generation active protection system project should be completed in a few years' time.