Israel Develops New Protection System For Tank Against Drone-launched Anti-Tank Rockets

Defense News , Israel :- In collaboration with Israeli defense companies, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are actively engaged in the development of innovative systems aimed at safeguarding the Merkava tank from anti-tank rockets dropped by drones.

Following the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, an interim solution, known as the "cope cage," was swiftly deployed on Israeli tanks in Gaza. These makeshift metal armor structures were designed to trigger anti-tank charges before they could reach the tank itself, providing a temporary but effective defense.

While the "cope cage" has proven effective to a certain extent, ongoing efforts are underway to explore more advanced protection systems. Sources indicate that these systems will incorporate sensors capable of detecting approaching drones and destroying them in mid-air, enhancing the overall security of the Merkava tanks.

Israeli defense companies, leveraging their expertise in anti-drone technology, are instrumental in developing the protection system for the Merkava Main Battle Tank (MBT) and other armored vehicles against drone-launched warheads on anti-tank rockets. This approach draws inspiration from the anti-drone systems previously developed by these companies.

Despite the presence of the Rafael Trophy active protection systems (APS) on Israeli Merkava tanks, which effectively defend against horizontal threats, the emerging challenge posed by drone-launched warheads demands additional measures for comprehensive protection.

Notably, the utilization of air-dropped warheads from drones was first observed during the conflict in Ukraine, prompting the IDF to prioritize the development of cutting-edge defense mechanisms to counter this evolving threat.