Improvements and upgrades. Features of the use of captured equipment in the Israeli army
Trophy T-54/55 at one of the Israeli enterprises. They will soon become "Tyrants"
The Israel Defense Forces are known for their lean attitude towards weapons and equipment. So, during the Arab-Israeli wars, she managed to capture hundreds and thousands of units of the enemy weapons and equipment, mainly of Soviet production. A significant proportion of such material was adopted. The combat vehicles obtained in this way could be used in their original form, with minor modifications or after a major modernization, depending on the needs of the IDF.
Rich booty
History The massive use of Soviet armored vehicles in the IDF dates back to the Six Day War in June 1967.According to the results of several days of fighting, the Israeli military counted about 820 abandoned tanks and self-propelled guns, as well as hundreds of units of other equipment. Among the trophies there were at least 350 T-54/55 medium tanks, most of which were serviceable or required minor repairs.
"Tyrants" in the fields, 1973
In the shortest possible time, this technique was put into operation. By the end of the summer, the IDF had 130 combatant T-54/55, and in 1968-69. received another 150. In the Israeli army, Soviet medium tanks received the designation TI-67 and the name "Tiran". Soon, this technique had to take part in battles.
During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israel took on even richer trophies. The total number of captured tanks exceeded 1,5, incl. more than 500 serviceable. At the same time, among the trophies there were approx. 200 newest medium-sized T-62. Soon 72 of these vehicles were added to the IDF's armored forces fleet.
Also, in the course of several wars, Israel captured dozens and hundreds of self-propelled guns of various types, armored personnel carriers, automotive vehicles, etc. Trophies in good condition or to be repaired were taken into service and distributed among the units.
BTR-152 at work, 1968
It should be noted that captured armored vehicles were of great importance for the IDF. The quantitative and qualitative indicators of the army at that time did not meet all the requirements and wishes, which was a direct threat to national security. With the help of trophies, the army managed to build up the fleet to an acceptable amount, increasing the overall combat capability and compensating for losses. At the same time, very interesting results were achieved. So, in the mid-seventies approx. 20% of the total number of tanks in the IDF were Soviet vehicles.
In its original form
The first Tiran tanks and other types of equipment were put into operation in the summer of 1967, just a few weeks after it was captured. Then, captured vehicles entered service, which had the best condition and did not need to be restored. Processes of small and medium repair of other tanks, self-propelled guns, etc. carried out for several years, after which the restored equipment was transferred to the troops.
Deeply modernized "Tiran-5Sh" with engineering equipment
In the early years, the preparation of trophies for service did not provide for major changes. All improvements were limited to the installation of a new radio station that meets Israeli standards, and the replacement of signs at workplaces. In some cases, machine guns were replaced at this stage. The T-54 tank after such procedures was named "Tyrant-1", and the T-55 became "Tyrant-2".
In 1973, captured T-62 tanks underwent similar modifications. Their fighting qualities, determined by armor and weapons, were considered sufficient, and therefore limited themselves to only a limited translation to Israeli standards of the "Tiran-1/2" type. The updated T-62, by analogy with the previous trophies, received the designation "Tyrant-6".
PT-76 in the museum. Technique of this type has not been seriously processed.
Since 1967, Israel has managed to capture at least 65-70 amphibious PT-76 tanks. This technique, like other tanks, was refined to local standards and put into service. Operation of the PT-76 continued until the early eighties. Then they were recognized as morally and physically obsolete, and modernization was considered inappropriate.
Israeli modernization
Trophy armored vehicles in their original configuration did not always suit the IDF, which is why projects for their modernization were launched. At first, they were aimed only at improving the combat and operational characteristics of equipment. Later, some projects were created with an eye to export.
Heavy armored personnel carrier "Akhzarit"
The first to appear were the Tiran-4 and Tiran-5 projects, which provided for the modernization of the T-54 and T-55, respectively. They offered the preservation of regular armor and 100-mm guns. At the same time, part of the internal units was replaced, and large baskets for property were installed on the tower. Coaxial and Soviet-made anti-aircraft machine guns were replaced by American M1919A4s. Two machine guns were mounted on parts of the machines on the roof of the tower. In addition, a large-caliber M2 was rigidly attached to the gun, and a 60-mm mortar was placed on board the turret.
The next project, "Tiran-4Sh" (from "shair" - strong) provided for the replacement of the D-10T2S cannon with the British 105-mm L7. Ammunition stowage was rebuilt accordingly and sighting devices were replaced. The Tiran-5 tanks were modernized in a similar way.
Museum BTR-152 TCM-20 - anti-aircraft self-propelled gun on a trophy chassis
Due to the availability of imported alternatives, the captured self-propelled guns did not undergo serious modernization and were quickly removed from service. At the same time, the IDF actively used captured wheeled armored personnel carriers similar to the Soviet BTR-152. At first, the modifications were limited only to the installation of their own weapons and communications, while maintaining the transport function. In this capacity, they complemented the existing American-made armored personnel carriers, incl. obsolete types.
As the service continued, the BTR-152 and BTR-50 became carriers of various equipment and weapons. They were rebuilt into command and staff vehicles, anti-aircraft self-propelled guns with small-caliber guns, engineering equipment, etc. As far as is known, no deeper modernizations affecting the design and composition of key units have been carried out. This was due to the gradual increase in the fleet of modern M113s, which made it possible to abandon imported and trophy counterparts.
Recent projects
In the first half of the eighties, "Tyrants" of the first versions, made on the basis of the T-54/55, were considered morally obsolete. At the same time, the technique retained the remnants of the resource and could still be used by the troops. For reasons of economy, it was decided to rebuild some of the tanks into heavy armored personnel carriers. Such vehicles were named "Akhzarit" and entered service with the IDF.
Soviet armored personnel carrier converted into an engineering vehicle
At the same time, a project was created to modernize the T-54/55 and T-62 tanks for sale abroad. It provided for the preservation of the armored hull and turret, weapons, etc. in the "Tirana-4 / 5Sh" configuration. At the same time, the engine and transmission, fire control devices and other units were replaced. The modernization was carried out mainly due to imported products.
By the mid-eighties, the IDF was able to create a full-fledged fleet of armored vehicles with all the necessary samples. Some of the necessary vehicles, such as tanks, were produced independently. Other modern products were purchased abroad. In the current situation, the need to preserve the aging "Tyrants" and other armored vehicles disappeared.
The main tank "Merkava" Mk I. Its appearance launched a full-scale modernization of the tank forces
In the first half of the eighties, the process of writing off old equipment began. "Tyrants", PT-76, etc. sent for recycling or underwent repairs and sold to third countries. At the same time, the rearmament process was seriously delayed. So, the last "Tyrants" left the units only in the last decade. In addition, despite the emergence of newer and more advanced designs, about a hundred "Akhzarits" still remain in the IDF.
Thrifty owners
For a long time, the IDF did not have the financial and other capabilities for the rapid and full-scale construction of armored, artillery and other troops. As a result, she had to pay special attention to trophies, which could also be used to strengthen her units. At the same time, the army demonstrated high efficiency, and there was no shortage of captured equipment.
With the help of hundreds of "Tyrants" of several versions, various armored personnel carriers and other equipment, the IDF was able to survive the most difficult period of its existence and to solve the military and political tasks set. In parallel with this, an industrial reserve was created for the deployment of the production of all the necessary equipment. And after the onset of relative peace, it was used to the fullest. The captured armored vehicles almost completely left the units, but remained in the history of Israel.
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