![]() However, conversion plans were abandoned in favor of newly built Merkava Mark IV chassis. ![]() Consequently, in 2007 it was reported that the first fifteen Namers would be delivered in 2008, and over a hundred more would finally equip two combat brigades. Lessons learned in the battles of the 2006 Lebanon War also largely validated this program. This same unit was demonstrated at the Eurosatory 2005 military exhibition where prospective export customers showed interest. It was equipped with a Rafael Overhead Weapon Station, which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. On 15 February 2005, Maariv reported that a running Namer prototype based on the Merkava Mark I was fielded by the Givati Brigade for trials and evaluation. The vehicle was initially called Nemmera ( Hebrew: leopardess), but later renamed to Namer ( Hebrew: leopard), while the name Nemmera refers to a Merkava-based ARV. 2005–present Įventually, IDF Ordnance developed infantry fighting vehicle prototypes based on the Merkava Mark I chassis, and also a handful of IFVs based on the Merkava Mark IV chassis. At that point the Stryker armored personnel carrier was offered and rejected by the IDF. The development did not progress much in the 1990s due to lack of funds, but following 2004 Israel–Gaza conflict, which exposed the vulnerability of the M113 armored personnel carrier to improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades, the IDF re-opened the development. The concept held great promise, because many of the 250 Merkava Mark I tanks were being gradually withdrawn from service and it was also made clear that the 105 mm armament of the Merkava Mark IIs could not be upgraded to the more modern IMI 120 mm gun. The experience of converting Centurion tanks into armored personnel carriers (Nagmashot, Nagmachon) and combat engineering vehicles ( Puma, Nakpadon), followed by the successful conversion of many T-54 and T-55 tanks into Achzarit infantry fighting vehicles pushed the idea of converting Merkava tanks into heavily armored APCs / IFVs. Operational Namer based on Merkava Mark IV.
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