Elbit Systems have announced that it has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $172 million to supply an undisclosed number of light tanks to the army of an undisclosed country in the Asia-Pacific region.
The contract will be performed over a three-year period, say Elbit.
As the prime contractor, Elbit Systems say they will supply the ‘Sabrah light tank solution’ based on the tracked ASCOD platform that is manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara from Spain (GDELS), and on the wheeled Pandur II 8X8 platform manufactured by Excalibur Army from the Czech Republic.
“The 30-ton Sabrah light-tank solution provides a unique combination of powerful fire capacity and high maneuverability. Both platforms will be equipped with a 105mm turret and a range of the Company’s subsystems, including electro-optical sights, fire control systems, TORCH-X battle management systems, E-LynX software defined radio systems and life support systems.”
Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, Elbit Systems President & CEO, commented:
“This light tank contract reflects the mutually beneficial strategic co-operation between Elbit Systems and GDELS, based on joint development and manufacturing of vehicle-turret solutions. Our comprehensive portfolio of subsystems provides us with a strong position in the armored vehicle market, especially as mission requirements become more diverse and increasingly networked. We believe that the “Sabrah” light tank solution can provide high operational value for additional Armed Forces.”
A bolt on turret for Ajax?
Diamonds to walnuts its Singapore. I base this on absolutely nothing at all.
Singapore’s ST Kinetics have a light tank offering. Why would they buy from Israel if they wanted a light tank?
I’ve been hearing worrying reports coming out of the Bailiwick of Jersey recently, keep your eye on the Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey over the next few weeks.
According to Janes and other reports, they’re going to the Philippines. Funny how what was regarded as a medium tank back in the day is now a “light tank”! Nearby Indonesia have the newish Harimau light/medium tank and still operate CVR(T) Scorpions and AMX-13s alongside Leopard 2s. The Harimau was offered to the Philippines. Which has a high pressure 105mm gun mounted in a Cockerill turret and has similar specifications to the up-gunned ASCOD. They even have an active protection system fitted. A tank of around 30 tons is ideal for both Indonesia and the Philippines that have a lot… Read more »
Yes. 17000 Islands so logistical mobility is key unfortunately most of the jungle is now open farmland. Ps. Hartman is local lingo for Tiger. …a new tiger tank!!…
Harimau….
Is that 105mm gun descended from the Centurion?
Is this then the bottom half of a tracked vehicle and the top half of an 8 wheeler?
Another Ascod based vehicle is the GDLS Griffin III, armed with the new 50mm Bushmaster. One of the potential Bradley replacements for the US Army.
Highly Unlikely. the US Army has gone back to the drawing board and just released RFPs for a totally new design to replace the Bradley called the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle.
Spain has done extremely well out of this vehicle. They ordered less than 270 units but managed to keep hold of manufacturing the hulls in Spain. I would like to think GDUK will get a significant portion of this work considering ASCOD2 was pretty much funded off the back of Ajax. Looks like the turret will be Israeli so we will prob get f all
That might depend on whether GDELS supply the platform with the Ajax Electronic Architecture.
Hey don’t the UK strike brigades need a light tank? I’d prefer they got guns, tanks and IFVs from the Boxer family but something is better than nothing.
That’s the issue folk are complaining about. All the firepower of the strike brigades is on tracks, which leaves the rapid/self deploy capability (what that is I don’t know) relying on tank transporters to get the boom where it needs to be, therefore neutering the whole force.
Without getting into the wheels v tracks question, would a 105 mm equipped Ajax not greatly increase our mobile firepower? Development should be fairly easy and low cost.
Deploying a 35 ton vehicle even if tracked must be much less complicated than a 70 ton MBT. The US have an active programme to deliver mobile firepower after the failure of the Stryker armoured gun system.
Great claims are made for the penetrating power of the CTA 40mm ammunition. I think that the idea behind the Warrior upgrade is that it creates an IFV with the ability to match most tanks it might meet.
https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/product/cased-telescoped-ammunition
The anti armour claims are way below the performance of the L7 105 mm so I still think there is merit in a 105 equipped Ajax variant. Especially if we reduce further our MBT numbers.
The 105mm equipped Ajax was on the drawing board but didn’t make it past that stage.
I totally agree, I do think the British Army needs a complete rebuild and rethink in its fighting formations. To start with I would restructure the Army on the Battle group concept, Armoured, strike and mobile. All would be about 800-1000 men, an Armoured BG would have 28 MBTs 56 Ajax and supporting Artillery etc. Three battle groups makes a Brigade group, each brigade has a fourth from the TA. Three Brigades makes a Task Force (Div), with three front line brigades and a TA brigade that is 9,000 plus 3,000 men, 254 MBTs plus 84 from the TA Brigade,… Read more »
Philippines. Elbit already sold the brazilian-italian APC Guarani to them. A light tank is the next stage.