Budget constraints mean IDF using vulnerable APCs

via Globes.co.il

The APC, which carried nine soldiers, became immobile as a result of a malfunction. Two soldiers got out before it was hit by a deadly missile that killed the other seven crew members. At least three APCs of this type suffered serious hits from RPG rockets fired at them in the course of IDF operations in the Gaza Strip during the second intifada.
In early 2011, the Ministry of Defense announced a grandiose NIS 10 billion plan to procure many hundreds of new generation of APCS, called the Namer (Leopard), which is based on a Merkava tank chassis. The Tank Program Directorate, which is also leading the development and production of the Merkava tank on which Israeli armor is based, developed the Namer. The Ministry of Defense defined the Namer as an APC adapted to the most up-to-date forms of warfare on the battlefield, which provides a solution for the threats to which IDF forces were also exposed during the Second Lebanon War. The innovative APC's armor also has the Trrophy (In Hebrew "Meil Ruah" or "Windbreaker") active armor system developed byRafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., that automatically intercepts anti-tank missiles and RPGs. The system is also installed on Mark IV Merkava tanks and upgraded earlier generation tanks.

Read the whole story but I consider this a heartbreaking development...and something I can see happening to the USMC.

The Marine Corps is facing with its own self inflicted budget woes when it comes to procuring decent armor and if you've looked at the land battlefields of the Pacific then you can see that future battles will entail the same challenges facing the IDF.....But on steroids.

The issue?  Fighting in built up areas, urban areas, cities and slums.

Think Gaza is a complex battlefield?  You ain't seen nothing yet.  Compare it to a potential fight in Manila, or any other Asian city.

Marines will die because we're holding on to the antiquated AAV too long and we don't have a proper plan to replace it.

Question.

Have you heard anything from the ACV 1.1 industry day?  Have you heard anything about when they would re-start the competition?

I haven't and the reason is clear.  Industry has been yanked by the balls once again and supposedly the program is being delayed for the new Commandant to come on-board.  I would like to believe its to allow him to make a decision on where we go but I've been told its to protect additional funding for the F-35....the plane that keeps placing a communicable disease into the body of the USMC.  Its past time for some penicillin.  Kill that fucker and lets get some armor for our grunts.