Israeli-made Eitan 8x8 armored IFV will enter in service by 2020 with Israeli Army.

According to "The Jerusalem Post" newspaper website, the Israeli Defense Ministry has revealed the final version of the Eitan 8x8 armored vehicle, the IDF’s (Israeli Defence Forces) first wheeled armored personnel carrier, which could be enter in service with infantry battalions of IDF by 2020.

The Israeli-made Eitan 8x8 armoued vehicle (Picture source Internet)

“After a long process of experimentation and implementation of lessons, we are revealing the world’s most advanced armored personnel carrier,” said Brig.-Gen. (res.) Guy Faglin, the head of the Defense Ministry’s Merkava and AFV (armored fighting vehicle) administration, in a statement released on Sunday, June 16, 2018.

The Eitan is an Israeli-made 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier which was unveiled in August 2016 by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The vehicle is designed to replace the old fleet of M113 tracked armoured personnel carrier in service with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) since many years.

In March 2018, the Israeli Ministerial Committee on Security Affairs approved the plan by the IDF to purchase hundreds of Eitan armored fighting vehicles, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, Israel Military Industries and Rafael.

The Eitan 8x8 armored is designed to be fitted with latest generation of armour to offer maximum crew protection and survivability. To increase protection against modern missiles and rockets threats, the vehicle will be also equipped with the Trophy active protection system.

The IFV version of the Eitan 8x8 armoured will be fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with one a 30 mm automatic cannon with a range of 2,500 meters, one 12.7mm machine gun and missile launcher.