New Eitan Info

Doing just a little update since I've received new information regarding the Eitan. 

*Eitan is confirmed to have 30mm cannon.
*Namer will be trialed with the new cannon as well beginning next year.
*new touchscreens.
*off-road speed during trials is 50km/h for safety. Said to increase in operational activity.
*Improved synchronization of battle management systems and communications with the fire control systems.
*currently going through final operational assessment phases, soon will have an assigned schedule for acquisition.
*some faults discovered, mainly communication between commander and driver. Now being fixed.

I must say, I'm quite disappointed with the choice of 30mm cannon (XM813) as it provides a lower degree of firepower than a 40mm, and is left behind in the trend of higher caliber munitions, led currently by UK, France, Spain, Russia, and China, and in the long run also the US. 

The 30mm may be enough for Israel at the moment, but looking at the future and the IDF's current focus on a mix of hybrid and mobile warfare, it may not be enough in the long run. It's important to note that at the moment, the IDF does not operate a medium cannon, and as such it doesn't face the logistical constraints of ammo commonality.

However there is quite a logical reason behind the IDF's choice of 30mm over the 40mm.

The current suppliers of cannons and ammo for the 40mm CTAS are France and UK, both are deemed by Israel to be unreliable arms exporters, since both have imposed embargo on Israel, with the latter doing so just a few years ago.

Developing locally would be too time consuming and resource consuming. The IDF only chose to develop its own armament when access to foreign cannons was denied.

The Really Big News?

Namer is said to be trialed with the same turret to provide alternative fire for tanks that may not be around.

For years the debate around Namer's firepower has been central in every discussion regarding its development, and now it is finally here.

Namer has already been tested with 30mm turrets before, namely the RAFAEL Samson 30 Mk-1 and Elbit's UT-30, however it was decided to not purchase either and not to pursue a more suitable one, since these were mainly export oriented turrets.

Namer with Samson 30 Mk 1 turret in trials

What this means essentially is that the IDF will now have not one, but two true IFVs allowing it to operate true mechanized infantry with independent firepower capabilities which include precision strike at long ranges via Spike missiles.

http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4912534,00.html