The U.S. Secretary of State authorized a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Israel, which includes the provision of 120mm tank cartridges and related equipment, valued at approximately $774.1 million. This substantial transaction, aimed at enhancing Israel’s military capabilities, has been notified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The Government of Israel has requested the acquisition of 32,739 120mm tank cartridges, comprising both the M1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer (HEMP-T) and/or the M830A1 High Explosive Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank (MPAT) with Tracer cartridges. These munitions are essential for Israel Defense Forces, particularly the Merkava main battle tanks. Along with the cartridges, the deal includes additional non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) such as various 120mm tank munitions, munitions canisters, transportation services, publications, technical documentation, and engineering and logistics support.
Northrop Grumman Defense Systems legacy in design and development of large caliber ammunition spans over 42 years. For tactical rounds, the company expertise includes the 120mm M829, M830, M908, M1028, and the M1147 cartridges, all intended to defeat various targets from armor defeat to anti-tank. The M1147 High Explosive Multi-Purpose with Tracer (HEMP-T) or Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round; the next generation of 120mm capability destined for use on the Abrams main battle tank. The AMP round consolidates four legacy rounds into one “smart” munition with multi-functional detonation capabilities, for the most effective defeat on any target. Designed for the AMP consolidates the capabilities of four previous munitions—M830 High Explosive Anti-Tank, M830A1 Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank, M1028 Canister, and M908 Obstacle Reduction cartridges—into a single, versatile round. This consolidation simplifies logistics and enhances operational efficiency while providing new capabilities, such as breaching walls and engaging Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) teams at extended ranges.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), located in St. Petersburg, FL also contributes to this sale. The company is an industry and global leader in the manufacture of large, medium and small-caliber direct and indirect-fire munition. GD-OTS system integration expertise are built on decades of high-quality munitions manufacturing, innovative munitions design and advanced research and development capabilities to provide our customers with the “best value” combat solutions available. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is an industry and global leader in the manufacture of 120mm caliber tactical and training ammunition. Among its notable developments are the 120mm M1028, 120mm IM HE-T, 120mm KE-W A1® APFSDS-T, 120mm KE-W A2®, 120mm M865 TPCSDS-T Kinetic Energy training round, and the 120mm M1002 TPMP-T training round cartridge, each designed to meet rigorous operational demands.
The Merkava is a series of main battle tanks (MBT) used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the backbone of the IDF’s Armored Corps. Current iterations of this tank are considered broadly equivalent to the capabilities of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and the Challenger 2. The Merkava Mark 1 and 2 were armed with a 105 mm IMI M64 gun, a license-built variant of the M68. The Mark 3, Mark 3 Dor Dalet BAZ kassag, and the Mark 4 are armed with an IMI 120 mm smoothbore gun which can fire almost all versions of Western 120 mm smooth bore tank ammunition. The IMI 120 mm gun is an L44 smoothbore tank gun designed and produced by Israeli Military Industries (IMI). They fire a family of ammunition developed by IMI, can fire French, German or US 120 mm NATO ammunition if required, and also fire anti-tank guided missile. This tank gun is very similar to the Rheinmetall L44 versions installed on the Leopard 2, M1 Abrams, K1A1, and Type 90 main battle tanks. However, it has a different recoil system, consisting of an optimized concentric retarder and pneumatic recuperator, and more compact overall dimensions
