{
  "id": 11856899,
  "title": "IDF to equip combat engineering vehicles with Iron Fist active protection against anti-tank threats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/idf-to-equip-combat-engineering-vehicles-with-iron-fist-active",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T06:00:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-910497"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "IDF Ground Forces Commander Maj.-Gen. Nadav Lotan is introducing a series of significant alterations to Israel's ground forces, based on the lessons learned from the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war. The new strategy prioritizes enhancing the autonomy and operational resilience of brigade combat teams operating in enemy territory.\n\nA crucial component of this plan involves equipping heavy combat engineering equipment and bulldozers with the Iron Fist active protection system. This will provide the vehicles with an essential layer of defense in the field. Under Lotan's plan, the IDF intends to increase brigade-level inventories of military assets, ammunition, and weapons, thereby diminishing the dependence of brigade combat teams on external support during deep deployments.\n\nThe plan also stresses the importance of non-digital alternatives, such as command-and-control systems with backup capabilities, to ensure continued operations during communications failures or electronic warfare. Among the most substantial force-building initiatives under this plan is the expansion of the Combat Engineering Corps, particularly the number of heavy engineering vehicles at its disposal.\n\nCurrently, the IDF possesses approximately 450 heavy engineering vehicles, alongside around 80 Indian-made vehicles predominantly employed in defensive roles. During the fierce fighting in various fronts, these heavy engineering vehicles played a pivotal role in clearing routes into the core of Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Wadi Saluki, the Litani River area, the Beaufort Ridge, and other locations. However, they faced tremendous threats, including powerful explosives, anti-tank missiles, drones, mortar shells, rockets, and terrorist cells attempting direct attacks.\n\nThe damage inflicted on these heavy engineering vehicles by the enemy is alarming. According to Walla's data, Israel's adversaries have destroyed 32 heavy engineering vehicles since October 7. Following these figures and an extensive staff review examining various protection solutions, the Ground Forces decided to integrate the Iron Fist active protection system into the protective suite of heavy vehicles.\n\nIron Fist, developed by Elbit Systems, is an active protection system designed to safeguard armored and engineering vehicles. The system employs radar and electro-optical sensors to identify threats in real-time, including anti-tank missiles and rockets. Upon detecting an imminent danger, the system launches an interceptor that detonates and neutralizes the incoming threat from a safe distance, thereby protecting the vehicle and nearby personnel.",
  "summary": "Iron Fist, manufactured by Elbit Systems, is an active protection system designed to protect armored fighting vehicles and engineering vehicles.",
  "key_points": [
    "IDF to equip combat engineering vehicles with Iron Fist active protection system",
    "Iron Fist system developed by Elbit Systems for anti-tank threat defense",
    "IDF aims to increase brigade-level inventories of military assets"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The IDF's move to equip combat engineering vehicles with Iron Fist active protection system signifies a major upgrade in its ground forces' defensive capabilities, enhancing their resilience against anti-tank threats.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}