Israel Defense Forces Special Forces to Get Hundreds of IAI Elta Z-MAG Commando Vehicles

The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMoD) Directorate of Production and Procurement (DOPP) will purchase hundreds of combat vehicles for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Special Forces units manufactured at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Land Division. According to Avi Dadon, Deputy Director General and Head of the DOPP in the Ministry of Defense, “The commando combat vehicle project being launched today is the best possible reflection of the Ministry of Defense’s work. This agreement will enhance the export potential for these unique tools and technologies.”

IAI’s ELTA Z-Family (Zibar, ZMAG and ZD) is a family of off-road vehicles for ground forces and security agencies. Built to withstand the harshest environmental conditions, these robust multi-purpose 4X4 vehicles offer outstanding off-road performance. Powerful and robust engines and highly reliable automatic transmissions, together with highly ruggedized suspension systems, enable the transport of soldiers and large payloads at considerable speed and stability over sand dunes, rocky trails, swamps and streams, making them extremely reliable platforms for maneuvering forces. The vehicles can be tailored and configured to customers’ requirements.

ZMAG is an all-terrain light reconnaissance vehicle designed for ground forces. Part of the ELTA’s Z-Family of rugged off-road multipurpose 4X4 vehicles, ZMAG is built to withstand the harshest environmental conditions and offers outstanding off-road performance. With a powerful and robust engine and highly reliable automatic transmission, together with highly ruggedized suspension system, the ZMAG can transport soldiers (up to 14 seating capacity) and large payloads at considerable speed and stability over sand dunes, rocky trails, swamps and streams, making it an extremely reliable platform for maneuvering forces.

IAI Elta will produce the vehicles at its new ground forces facility in Beer Sheba. The Armored Group (TAG), an international vehicle manufacturer based in the USA, is also part of the program, TAG, providing some of the components. The new commando vehicles have exceptional all-terrain capabilities, such as carrying payloads of 1.5 – 2.5 tons (fully equipped soldiers and equipment, depending on the type of vehicle). The vehicles will be adapted to various missions, including carrying equipment, delivering supplies, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The vehicle design is based on commercial components, ensuring the reliability and availability of spare parts at an affordable cost.