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Israel Expands Trophy Anti-Missile Defense Systems
(Defense News) Barbara Opall-Rome - Israel launched operational tests this week of combat engineering versions of its actively-protected Namer troop carrier that is based on the Merkava Mk4 main battle tank. Video and still photos released Wednesday by Israel's Ministry of Defense show three combat engineering derivatives: a bulldozer, a breaching and obstacle bridging version, and a towing version, all equipped with the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) against anti-tank missiles, mortars and RPGs. The combat engineering Namers will allow Israeli ground forces to deal with terror tunnels, bridge obstacles, and maneuver in high-threat areas. "The combat engineering Namers endow brigade-level teams with capabilities they never had before," said Brig.-Gen. Baruch Matzliah. "They will overcome any engineering obstacle in the modern battlefield." Capt. Tzuri Dill, a Merkava Mk4 tank commander, recounted an incident during the 2014 Gaza war when a company commander's tank was targeted by a Kornet anti-tank missile from a distance of 3.5 km. "We understood the tank was targeted, but the system worked like a charm. Because of [Trophy], the threat was neutralized. Everything was automatic."