One of the main changes of tasks was to the recon battalion, so I want to touch on that this time. I will quote the relevant part here:
From the current structure of one light recon company, one engineering, and one AT, we can understand that overall these guys are traveling light.Other than the new brigade structure, the battalions themselves have also undergone quite a few changes. The recon battalion, that up until now was made of one light recon company, one engineering company, and one AT company, will now transform to receive two primary capabilities:1. Attacking and seizing complex areas deep within enemy territory with powerful and independent raiding companies.2. Special purpose companies that will acquire quality intel through reconnaissance, and destroy hostile targets through advanced weaponry.
This means a lot of dismounted action with high powered optics and camouflage, some EOD capability along with tunnel warfare capability or demolition via the combat engineers, and ATGMs carried either by dismounts or on light jeeps, by the AT unit which also does target designation and calls artillery strikes.
To attack and seize complicated areas you need armor and you need firepower. So dismounted combat or riding on light open vehicles is not an option. At least not if they want a very quick and decisive action with minimal casualties and maximum flexibility and mobility between sectors.
To destroy hostile targets independently, well the Spike ATGM will, in theory, do. But with only one company per battalion using it, and even then in limited quantity with a lot of careful planning to set up the system stealthily, it's hard to provide an intensive enough volume of fire that would be required to secure a grid, especially in semi-urban areas, or in ambushes where the defending side would have to use overwhelming firepower to ensure suppression, maneuver, and retaliation.
An ambushed recon battalion, cut away from the rest of the troops and on its way to capture territory, will not fare well against the quasi-army threats posed by any regional enemy.
And therefore we arrive at the obvious question: Does the IDF need armored reconnaissance, Australia-style?
I haven't written about it on this blog, but I have been for the most part a staunch critic of the Australian LAND 400 program as a whole, in all its phases. I still am, but I know their concept of operation is sound.
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| The Boxer CRV in its A2 drive module configuration, with AMAP-ADS Active Protection System. |
- Cost per unit and program budget.
- Problematic and almost outdated conception about vehicle and troop protection.
- Lack of certain specialized variants.
These are all major issues, but points 2 and 3 can be fixed rather easily, and these are the only ones relating to technical issues, so again, the concept is sound.
The IDF is currently in a very good position to field its own CRV. I may or may not have told, that the IDF's plan to replace the M113 includes no less than 3 weight categories - Namer at 60 tons, Eitan at 35 tons, and an unselected sub-8-ton vehicle.
Eitan could be a perfect candidate for the job. It's brand new so addition of parts is a non-issue due to untapped growth potential, it is cheap and easy to produce in large numbers, and it will soon enter service.
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| The Eitan sports a 30mm autocannon with 2 Spike LR2 ATGMs, heavy hybrid armor, and an APS that doubles as a situational awareness tool. |
It was an amazing situational awareness tool. Once an ATGM or ATR was fired on the tank, the crew would be alerted of the direction from which it was fired, and would quickly lay their guns on target and close the firing loop.
With such powerful tool, as well as with possible additions of acoustic or optical identification of small arms firing sources, it is only logical to equip the recon battalion's units with them.
Colonel Saar Tzur briefly explains here the impression the 401st armored brigade got from using the Trophy system live, in action.
However to set them aside from Australia's CRVs, the IDF may need to utilize special variants, preferably for the command vehicle of each platoon, or each company, some capability to observe "over the hill". Either a mast with an optical payload, or a tethered UAS.
Additionally, the IDF has special needs that may not necessarily require, but favor the acquisition of an Eitan variant with a high caliber gun.
IMI Systems currently offers the RG120 gun. It is a 120mm low recoil and low weight gun. IMI's info on it:
Additionally, the IDF has special needs that may not necessarily require, but favor the acquisition of an Eitan variant with a high caliber gun.
IMI Systems currently offers the RG120 gun. It is a 120mm low recoil and low weight gun. IMI's info on it:
- Optimized for light tracked and wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) with unmanned turret and autoloader
- Provides MBT firepower to AFVs
- Consists of a soft recoil system and muzzle brake, significantly reducing weight constraints and enabling easy installation on AFVs
- Reduces recoil force by 20%
- Fires all standard NATO 120mm tank cartridges (incl. APFSDS-T)
- Complies with STANAG 4385 requirements
- Low weight: ~ 1700 kg
This means the IDF can acquire a vehicle using components that are entirely locally made and with high TRL (Technological Readiness Level), with insignificant development efforts required.
Now, who will use this high powered but specialized Eitan version? Most likely the Mesaya'at - support company.
It may be a valid question whether MANTAK should be investing in, and producing, a vehicle that would be used only by a total of 10 companies, which could be less than a brigade, but the option exists, the solution is ripe, and it's only a matter of how they prioritize the recon battalion's capabilities.
You should look at the Italian army's recon regiments (present in almost all of our brigades). Currently made up of Centauro 8x8 tank destroyers and Lince LMVs. Soon these will be replaced and the regiments will consist of an armoured company with Centauro 2s, a company with Recon variants of the Freccia IFV, which will have uavs, radars, ATGMS and recon specific equipment finally and a company of Lince LMVs
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered your blog and find it very interesting. Years ago I served in the army in armor units. Although I've worked in a different field for years I still find it interesting. I'm just learning how to post to a blog, so I hope I don't make too many mistakes.
ReplyDeleteFirst though, could you tell me on which other sites you have posted information about Israeli armor so that I can find and read them from the beginning. I've already come across several terms that I do not understand and before I ask about them, I thought I should see whether they were explained in earlier posts.
I found this post interesting because most of my short (5 year) army career was spent in armored cavalry: first in an armored cavalry regiment (in modern usage sort of a brigade) and later in a divisional squadron (another name for a battalion). In U.S. usage, an armored cavalry unit had one of three missions: reconnaissance - find out about the enemy, security - keep the enemy from finding out about us, or economy of force - either attack or defend without enough forces to do either but make the enemy thing you were a larger force than you really were.
From what I've read about the Israeli army, they gather some of the best people into the reconnaissance units and use them as sort of an elite force. A different approach from the U.S.
One question for now. You have reported (and I've seen it written elsewhere) that the new Israeli armor (tank) company will now have 10 tanks. What is the organization of the tank company. I've read that for many years a company consisted of three platoons of three tanks with a company commander and an assistance company commander. Years ago I read (and even understood most of it) a book with the name something like M Company about a tank company during the first days of the Yom Kippur war. The story ended early because the author was wounded during the first few days. His company started with eleven tanks.
What was the structure with nine tank - four platoons of two tanks with a company commander? what is the structure with ten tanks - four platoons of two with a company commander and an assistant company commander? I'm having a hard time coming up with any other guess.
Anyway an answer to your question is what is the purpose of armored reconnaissance in the IDF - traditional cavalry missions or serving as an elite fighting force?
Also, I read that the IDF tried to use armored cavalry during the 1970s and found the experiment unsatisfactory; although, I was never able to find out what problems them found with the concept.
Does The IDF Need Armored Reconnaissance?