Can israel export Main Battle Tanks and advanced armoured Personnel Carriers to Gulf states?

IsraeL dIary Can IsraeL exPort MaIn battLe tanks and advanCed arMoured PersonneL CarrIers to GuLF states?

Alarmed with the changing dynamics in global order and ever increasing Iranian threat that may soon control the nuclear trigger, Gulf States are engaged in an effort to buy very advanced systems to defend themselves along with establishing new defence relationship with Israel. For Israel and its defence industry, the opening of new markets is an opportunity not to be missed

By arie eGoZi

M

ajor international events that occur almost simultaneously can send shockwaves around the globe. This is exactly what is happening at present - the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the critical phases of negotiations about a new nuclear agreement with Iran, The US withdrawal from the Gulf region, bring the shockwaves to new heights.

merkava israeli tank

“There has been a dramatic change in the Gulf region, and that is an understatement. What looked like science fiction a few months ago is now a reality,” a very senior Israeli defence analyst told Raksha Anirveda on condition of anonymity.

He added that these countries with Sunni governments and majorities understand that cooperating with Israel is their insurance policy against the evil Ayatollahs in Tehran that will soon control the nuclear trigger. Former head of the Israeli National Security Council, Major General (ret.) Giora Eiland told Raksha Anirveda that what until some months ago looked not connected to reality is now very real.

“I think that the UAE and Bahrain should ask Israel to sell them advanced weapon systems, not necessarily tanks – they should go for Israeli ground- ground missiles and the best in the world anti-tank missiles.”

Eiland added that there are signs that Saudi Arabia, yet to established relations with Israel is “in the loop” after being attacked many times by the Houthis, Iran’s proxies operation in Yemen.

The fast developments have not surprised Prof. Uzi Rabi, a senior Israeli expert on developments in the Middle East and the Gulf. Rabi said that a good example is Qatar that has no formal relations with Israel and “in spite of this, its leadership understands the critical need to be a de facto partner in the new security arrangement in the region with an eye on Iran that according to all signs will soon have nuclear weapons.”

“They are not part of any formal security agreement but understand the need to be fully coordinated with these new agreements,” the Israeli analyst said.

The fast developing defence relations between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain and other Gulf countries and the disappointment from the US policy in the region, open new

markets for the Israeli defence industry, some of them surprising because of the systems that are in the focus of interest.

According to sources, advanced negotiations are already underway with the Israeli ministry of defence which is “easing” its approach to such potential deals. Israeli sources say that these relations have been tightened as the leaders of the Gulf States express their disappointment from what they call “the US withdrawal from the region”.

Israeli defence sources say that the new defence relations have for the first time created the “atmosphere” for the sale of some Israel defence systems that have not yet been exported. The interest according to sources focuses among other, on the new upgraded version of the Merkava combat proven tank.

The UAE and Bahrain have expressed interest in some Israeli developed defence systems. The possible purchase of these systems is being discussed in each meeting between high ranking figures from Israel and these two Gulf States.

The Israeli ministry of defence plans to begin the production of the upgraded version of the Merkava MBT before the end of the year. The first upgraded tanks will be delivered to the Israeli defence forces (IDF) in mid-2023.

Israeli defence sources say that the new tank will be capable of performing multiple missions in the fast evolving “war zone” that turns the MBT into a first priority target for the enemy. Most of the new features that are being developed for the upgraded version, are highly classified.

According to defence sources, the Merkava 4 “Barak” (Lightening) will be equipped with an improved Trophy APS system made by Rafael and a commander helmet that will prioritize the relevant data gathered by the tank’s own sensors and other in the battle area. The new version will also have a system that will automatically fire on targets that pose danger to the tank, like units that launch anti-tank missiles. An advanced main computer will give the tank’s crew the ability to focus on the most relevant targets while sharing the data with other tanks and other units on the ground and in the air.

Some of the new systems to be integrated into the “Barak” are based on the combat suit developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), for an advanced armoured fighting vehicle. Others will be modified for the new version of the Merkava 4.

The Merkava MBT has not been exported until now. The interest of the Gulf States in Israeli defence systems including the Merkava is accepted by defence sources in Israel as part of the general effort of these countries to buy very advanced systems to defend against the Iranian threat. One of the sources said that the Gulf countries that have expressed their frustration from the diminishing presence of the US in the region are more alarmed now.

“They watch the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the reaction of the world that decided not to really intervene the deadly Russian operation. They understand now more than ever that they will have to defend themselves and want to have the best tools to do so.”

The Gulf countries are also interested in the Eitan APC and in different air defence systems like the Iron Dome and David’s Sling.

israel Defense Forces eitan 8x8 armored Fighting vehicle (aFv)

David’s Sling missile system

The FasT deveLOPinG deFenCe ReLaTiOns BeTWeen isRaeL, The Uae and BahRain and OTheR GULF COUnTRies and The disaPPOinTMenT FROM The Us POLiCY in The ReGiOn, OPen neW MaRkeTs FOR The isRaeLi deFenCe indUsTRY, sOMe OF TheM sURPRisinG BeCaUse OF The sYsTeMs ThaT aRe in The FOCUs OF inTeResT

–The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda