Threats drive new vehicle plans for Israel's Engineering Corps

摘要

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) Army Headquarters will establish a fourth combat engineering battalion and expand its explosive ordnance disposal capabilities to guard against future conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.rnThe Combat Engineering Corps played a critical role in Israel's December 2008-January 2009 operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It is credited with saving the lives of countless Israeli soldiers by uncovering and defuzing Hamas improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as well as booby-trapped tunnels.rnThe corps will also upgrade its main heavy armoured personnel carrier (APC), the Puma, which is based on a turretless Centurion chassis. The upgrade includes new night-vision systems, additional armour and a new 'Ritsuf' system that employs rockets to clear a path through a minefield or a street lined with IEDs.