In a video release, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the next-gen Namer 1500 armored personnel carrier recently delivered to the Israel Defense Forces. With a new 1500 horsepower engine, it showcases increased power, speed, and cutting-edge touch screen technology, offering enhanced protection capabilities. Previously powered by the Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel engine of the Merkava Mark III. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the Namer APC is more heavily armored than the Merkava IV main battle tanks. The Namer is the most heavily armored personnel carrier in the world of any type.
Namer (means “leopard” and also a syllabic abbreviation of “Nagmash” (APC) and “Merkava”), is an Israeli armoured personnel carrier based on a Merkava Mark IV tank chassis. Namer was developed by and is being assembled by the Israeli Ordnance Corps. It has entered service in limited numbers with the Israel Defense Forces since the end of 2008. However, as of 2014, still only very limited numbers of Namers were in service with the Israel Defense Forces. Due to budgetary constraints, the introduction of the Namer into the Israel Defense Forces has been slow, leaving the ground forces dependent on the M113 for many years to come.
Namer is armed with either a M2 Browning machine gun or a Mk 19 grenade launcher mounted on a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station as well as a 7.62 mm (FN MAG) machine gun and a 60 mm mortar. Smoke grenade launchers are also carried. On 31 July 2017, the Israeli Defense Ministry released video of an infantry fighting vehicle version of the Namer fitted with an unmanned turret armed with a 30 mm cannon; the turret is equipped with the Trophy APS. On 12 December 2018, the Israeli Defense ministry released a further video of the IFV version of the Namer launching two Spike-MR missiles from a pod which can be erected from and lowered flush into the turret roof.
Namer has been designed for survivability and rapid repair, with modular armor, V-hull belly armor pack, and CBRN defense. The armored personnel carrier is able to carry up to 12 troops (crewmen and fully equipped infantrymen) and one stretcher, or two stretchers and medical equipment on a Namerbulance MEDEVAC version. The original Merkava Mark IV rear entrance was redesigned to be a wider door ramp with a sniper port. Two hatches are fitted on the roof, which is higher than Merkava’s hull roof. Namer also shares a digital battlefield management system with Merkava Mark IV, giving it hunter-killer team capabilities.
