Mag'ach (Upgraded M48/M60 series Patton), Israel

Sho'f (Upgraded Centurion)

The Centurion Mk 3 entered operational service with the Israeli Ground Defence Force in 1960. Training and combat experience soon showed that the vehicle needed upgrading from the 20 pdr armament and petrol engine state so the Israeli Ordnance Corps undertook its first Centurion modification programme of the Mk 3 and Mk 5 in 1963. This involved the replacement of the gun by the 105 mm M68/L7 series rifled gun and an increase in basic ammunition load from 70 to 72 rounds, the 105 mm can fire locally produced HEAT, APFSDST, HESH and canister rounds and easily penetrates T-54/55/62 MET frontal armour at 1800 metres range.

In 1967 trials were conducted to establish a new engine type for the Centurion which was safer to operate in combat conditions, provided better range, improved engine cooling and air filtration. The engine ultimately selected was the air-cooled AVDS-1790-2A, the same as being used in the M48 Patton fleet,

The first Upgrade Centurions, known by the Israeli name Sho't (Whip) entered service in 1970 and were characterised by their elevated engine deck and external box air filters.

Following the 1973 the Sho'ts were again refitted with additional modifications including a low profile commander's cupola, additional anti-personnel weapons, Blazer explosive reactive armour (ERA) boxes and a CL-3030 IS-10 smoke screen system, The latest Sho't configuration (with around 1000 in service) being that given in the specification table.

Other versions of the Sho't are: Nagmasho't - numerous conversions from Sho't MET to produce a heavy APC for use by the Combat Engineer Corps sappers. The turret is removed and replaced by an infantry compartment for eight sappers with raised sloping side armour grilles, new passive heavy armour side skirts and attachments for Blazer ERA blocks.

The anti-personnel armament is three 7.62 mm FN MAG pintle mounted MGs and three 52 or 60 mm light mortars.

Support vehicles - Sho't/ABK-3 and Sho't/RKM bulldozer tanks, Sho't/TWMP and Sho't/RK mine-clearing roller vehicles, Sho't MRL with four 290 mm calibre unguided rockets,

Israel

Specification

First prototype: 1967 First production: 1968-74 modernisation programme (approx 1400 converted) Current user: Israel

Crew: 4

Combat weight: 51 800 kg (+ 1000 kg Blazer ERA) Ground pressure: n/av

Length, gun forwards: 9.83 m Width (with skirts): 3.4 m Height (without AA gun): 2.96 m Ground clearance: 0.46 m

Max. road speed: 43.2 km/h Maximum range: 400 km Fording: unprepared 1.5 m Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40% Vertical obstacle: 0.9m

Trench: 3.4 m

Powerpack: TCM AVDS-1790-2A V-12 air cooled diesel developing 750 hp coupled to an Allison CD-850-6 automatic powershift crossdrive transmission Armament: (main) 1 x 105 mm gun (72 rounds); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mm MG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 12.7 mm and 2 x7.62 mm MG; (anti-personnel) 1 x 52 or 60 mm light mortar; (smoke dischargers) 2 x 10

Modified Centurion of the Israeli Army before final rebuild to full Sh 'ot standard.