Announcing introduction of the Negeva Project, the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMoD) said the combat vehicle has “exceptional all-terrain capabilities.”
By Erin Viner
The IMoD’s Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) will purchase hundreds of combat vehicles from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the use of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Special Units, according to a government statement.
DOPP Deputy Director General Avi Dadon signed an order during a ceremony at the IAI’s Land Division production line in Be’er Sheva to manufacture the Negeva.
“As part of the more than 100 million shekel agreement, IAI will manufacture Z-MAG and ZD vehicles for IDF special forces missions in cooperation with Ido Cohen and The Armored Group (TAG),” “with the encouragement and the investment of tens of millions of NIS by the Ministry of Defense, focuses on ground technologies,” said the IMoD Spokesperson’s statement, which also revealed that the production is part of the IAI’s “Elta” Division – which develops airborne radars, ISR systems for special mission aircraft, EW systems, communications and additional systems.
Describing the commando combat vehicle project as “the best possible reflection” of the IMoD’s work,” Dadon added that the “significant procurement deal for strengthening the IDF Special Units’ force build-up” will also further “enhance the export potential for these unique tools and technologies.”
According to the IMoD, the commando vehicles have exceptional all-terrain capabilities, such as carrying combat soldiers and equipment weighing 1.5-2.5 tons (depending on the type of vehicle), for various missions including the evacuation of wounded troops or supply deliveries.
“The Negeva Project will equip the IDF with the most advanced tactical ground vehicles in the world, which are highly reliable and have exceptional capabilities,” remarked IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy, who hailed the Elta Group as “a key and significant player in the development and production of advanced land solutions.”
Levy added that “IAI’s wide range of capabilities in the fields of intelligence, AI, remote sensing, and communications are integrated in these land vehicles and will provide significant added value to the operational capabilities in the field of combat mobility.”