A dispute between two major defense companies has blocked the Israeli military's plans to install systems on new armored personnel carriers to knock out enemy missiles.The Jerusalem Post reported Monday that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Military Industries refuse to abide by an order from Udi Shani, director general of the Defense Ministry, to combine the two systems they have developed separately into a single system.
Rafael's system is called Trophy and installation on the army's Merkava 4 main battle tanks has already begun. The military wants to extend that program to the older Merkava 3s as well.
Trophy provides all-round protection against anti-tank missiles and successfully intercepted a rocket propelled grenade fired by Palestinian militants on the border with the Gaza Strip earlier this year.
Its radar, manufactured by Elta Systems, the IAI subsidiary, can detect and intercept incoming hostile threats.
IMI's system is known as Iron Fist and is reportedly capable of intercepting tank shells.
Iron Fist is on the Namer.
The Namer, based on the Merkava 4, is being deployed with the crack Golani Brigade. One battalion has been equipped with the new APC, and the brigade's three other battalions are scheduled to follow over the next three years.