Central/South American Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Israel has offered the procurement of main battle tank Merkava IV and Namer APC


Israel has offered the procurement of Merkava Mark IV tanks and Namer APCs to Colombia. During initial discussions with Colombia, a possible procurement of 25 to 40 tanks were discussed. While the price of the Merkava tank has never been published, as it is produced by the IDF and has thus far been provided only to IDF forces, experts assess that the price of such a tank would reach approximately $6 million. It is my opinion that the sale would be used (and refurbished) Merkava Mark 1 tanks and not the newest mark 4 which are area $6 million.



Colombia is concerned over the accelerated rate in which its neighbor Venezuela, ruled by President Maduro (Hugo Chavez successor), has been continuing procuring weapons, and has since considerably increased its military procurement budget. Several years ago, Colombia procured military systems from Israel, which included the 24 Kfir fighter aircraft, ground and naval systems. Colombia is also on the verge of procuring UAVs from Israel.



Additional procurement of Israeli products was also brought up during the visit of Israel’s Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, to Colombia last month. A large-scale UAV deal with Colombia was cancelled several years ago due to a conflict between Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems. Since then, tension has existed in the defense procurement relations between both countries. Deals with Israel were also an issue of political dispute in Colombia.

Israel Offers Merkava IV Tanks to Colombia

Contacts for the UAV deal with the South American country have been renewed
Arie Egozi 17/5/2012


Israel has offered the procurement of Merkava Mark IV tanks and Merkava Namer APCs to Colombia.
During initial discussions with Colombia, a possible procurement of 25 to 40 tanks were discussed. While the price of the Merkava tank has never been published, as it is produced by the IDF and has thus far been provided only to IDF forces, experts assess that the price of such a tank would reach approximately $6 million.
Colombia is concerned over the accelerated rate in which its neighbor Venezuela, ruled by President Hugo Chavez, has been procuring weapons, and has since considerably increased its military procurement budget. Several years ago, Colombia procured military systems from Israel, which included the Kfir fighter aircraft, ground and naval systems. Colombia is also on the verge of procuring UAVs from Israel.
Additional procurement of Israeli products was also brought up during the visit of Israel’s Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, to Colombia last month.
A large-scale UAV deal with Colombia was cancelled several years ago due to a conflict between Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems. Since then, tension has existed in the defense procurement relations between both countries. Deals with Israel were also an issue of political dispute in Colombia.
It appears that the possibility of returning to negotiations with Colombia over a different form of the UAV deal is being examined as well, even though Israeli sources do not believe that the chances for a deal are high.
There have been reports of Colombian procurement of individual Israeli-produced UAVs over the past year, primarily the Hermes-900 by Elbit Systems. However, Colombia is still seeking wide-scale UAV procurement.
In addition to the attempt to salvage the UAV deal in another form, the Israeli defense establishment is attempting to convince the Colombian government to procure the Merkava Mark IV tank and Namer APCs from Israel.
Israel has exported technologies developed for the various Merkava tank models, primarily as part of programs to upgrade old tanks. One of the leading projects in this field was the upgrade of the Turkish Army’s M-60 tanks, which was carried out by Israel Military Industries. However, the tank has never been exported as a complete system.

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Merkiva is a full MBT with all the Trimming and then some, it's one of the best protected it no the best protection a tank can offer and mounts a excellent 120mm cannon. the Namer is based on the same chassis but is at the moment only a heavy APC as it lacks a real vehicle to vehicle capacity other then the Spike ATGM system.
Now if IAI can mate it's hull to a Remote turret with a high caliber Auto Cannon like the Bushamster Mk44 they would have a Top IFV.

TerraN_EmpirE said:

Merkiva is a full MBT with all the Trimming and then some, it's one of the best protected it no the best protection a tank can offer and mounts a excellent 120mm cannon. the Namer is based on the same chassis but is at the moment only a heavy APC as it lacks a real vehicle to vehicle capacity other then the Spike ATGM system.
Now if IAI can mate it's hull to a Remote turret with a high caliber Auto Cannon like the Bushamster Mk44 they would have a Top IFV.

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Agreed, the Merkava mark 4 is one of the few tank in the world that can go head to head with a Leopard II or an Abrams and not become a burning hulk. However, I believe that the version they are insinuating to in the article maybe the Merkava mark 1. Israel has about 250+/- of the mark 1s (It is still armed armed with the 105 millimetre M68). This beast weighs in at 63 tons which will limit the tactical mobility of this tank in South America. Namely because the most rural and the majority of state operated highway systems will not be able to handle the concentrated point loading generated by the vehicle. This limits it’s used to possibly just the desert like area of the north east of Colombia near the Venezuelan border.

A better solution would be your suggestion of the Nammer equipped with a 35mm or 40mm bushmaster and ATGM turret combo. This should be able to handle the Venezuelan T-72s with easy and would weigh less). IAI could make the Israeli version of the Terminator turret.

This type of vehicle could be used to snipe at tanks from a defensive position or even in an offensive role, given the high armour protection.

Army of Brazil to purchase SAAB RBS 70 VSHORAD Very Short Range Air Defense System.
Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract on deliveries of the RBS 70 VSHORAD (very short range air defence system) to the Brazilian Army. The order has a value of approximately MSEK 80 and comprises deliveries of man-portable launchers, missiles and associated equipment. First deliveries of materiel are scheduled during 2014.


Swedish SAAB RBS 70 VSHORAD (Very SHOrt RAnge Air Defence system)

The deal comprises an undisclosed number of RBS 70 man-portable launchers, Mk II type missiles, simulators, night vision equipment, a test set, maintenance tools, spares, associated equipment, and training for the weapon's operators and maintainers. The systems are among others intended to protectBrazil’s strategic infrastructure, and would be employed in protection of major incoming events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics inRio de Janeiro.

“This is very positive and it further proves the capability of the RBS 70 system which, by this contract, has been acquired by 19 countries located on all five continents. The system´s unique capabilities, reliability and very low life-cycle cost are highly appreciated by all users in different exacting environments,” says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saabs Business Area Dynamics.

The Saab portfolio of short-range ground based air defence missile systems comprise of the RBS 70 and the further enhanced RBS 70 NG. With the RBS 70 family, Saab offers state-of-the art systems for demanding customers investing in the future. The RBS 70 system has an impressive track-record on the market. 19 countries have procured more than 1,600 RBS 70 systems, including more than 17,000 missiles.

The new RBS 70 NG is designed to build on this success enhancing the VSHORAD capability even further. An accurate, unjammable laser-guided missile system, the RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG is unaffected by countermeasures, heat sources and clutter. The RBS 70 NG sight can be applied in a multitude of system configurations ranging from MANPADS (Man-portable air defence system) to remotely controlled and vehicle as well as ship integrated Air Defence systems. The sight is designed to be used with all existing and future generations of the RBS 70 missile family.

The various system configurations makes RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG highly suitable for static ground based air defence of important infrastructure, protection of mobile units or for event protection.

France and Brazil to enhance cooperation in the fields of defense and cyber security.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and her French counterpart, Francois Hollande, agreed Thursday, December 12, 2013, to enhance cooperation in defense and high technology. "France and Brazil maintain cooperation that is unique due to its content, reach and scope, especially in the areas of defense and high-performance technology," said Brazilian President Rousseff.


French President Francois Hollande (L) and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff (R) during a ceremony at Planalto Palace in Brasilia.

She said she was pleased with the progress made in the Prosub program, agreed in 2009, for the building of four conventional submarines and a nuclear submarine, and the transfer of technology to the South American country.

She also noted joint efforts in the building of helicopters and French support in the building of a Brazilian stationary satellite for civilian and military use.


"I also want to highlight the agreement for the purchase of a supercomputer and the installation of two research centers in Rio de Janeiro, as well as the technology transfer to build high-performance computers in Brazil," said Rousseff. "Only 10 countries in the world have this capacity."


Hollande said: "We support Brazilian President Rousseff's initiative on cyber security, both for national security as well as for people's privacy, and of course we are going to participate in the Sao Paulo meeting (on digital privacy). We need to have a strong position."

Brazil has delivered refurbished Cascavel 6x6 armoured vehicles to Suriname.
The Brazilian Army has delivered refurbished Cascavel armored vehicles to neighboring Suriname under a 2012 bilateral agreement. The Cascavel, originally manufactured by a now defunct Brazilian company, is a 6X6 armored vehicle.


The EE-9 Cascavel is a 6x6 armoured vehicle armed with a 90mm gun
Refurbishment of the vehicles was conducted at the Army's Regional Maintenance Facility in Rio de Janeiro, where two additional vehicles are undergoing work before their transfer to Suriname.

Suriname, a former colony of the Netherlands, is located on the northern cone of South America. Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim has called for more ties with Suriname, a partner in building a security community in the region.

Under the 2012 cooperative agreement, Brazil will provide Suriname with training in logistics sustainability for the armored cars.

Brazil said the vehicles were transported to Suriname by landing ship. A ceremony marking the transfer of the vehicles to the Suriname Armed Forces National Command was held.


The EE-9 Cascavel 6x6 armoured car was designed by ENGESA (Engenheiros Especializados SA) to meet the requirements of the Brazilian Army. This vehicle is armed with a 90mm gun and 7.62mm machine gun mounted to the left of the main gun.

The Colombian Navy placed an order on 20 October for a second OPV-80 offshore patrol vessel (OPV) from the government-run COTECMAR shipyards in Cartagena.


The South Korean Navy corvette Gunsan, which was decommissioned was given to Colombia for free, as part of a military assistance program.


The Colombian Navy will buy two decommissioned U-206A class submarines from Germany, this will be acquired by the Navy to complement the Colombian submarine fleet.

Niteroi Class frigate Brazil Brazilian Navy


The Brazilian Navy aircraft carrier Sao Paulo (A12), foreground, and the US Navy carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).


A Brazilian SSK Tupi Class Attack Submarine during diving. The Brazilian Navy submarine fleet operates four Tupi Class submarines, in service since 1999.

If Brazil air craft carrier the Sa0 Paulo has a conventional CATOBAR system why don't they upgrade their fighters to F/A-18 or even the French Rafael?

Miragedriver said:

Agreed, the Merkava mark 4 is one of the few tank in the world that can go head to head with a Leopard II or an Abrams and not become a burning hulk. However, I believe that the version they are insinuating to in the article maybe the Merkava mark 1. Israel has about 250+/- of the mark 1s (It is still armed armed with the 105 millimetre M68). This beast weighs in at 63 tons which will limit the tactical mobility of this tank in South America. Namely because the most rural and the majority of state operated highway systems will not be able to handle the concentrated point loading generated by the vehicle. This limits it’s used to possibly just the desert like area of the north east of Colombia near the Venezuelan border.

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Merkava mark 1 would a be Tank introduction but A poor player against T72's. Syrian T72's have been proven to eat Merkava Mk's1 For a light dinner.
a 105mm Cannon, Rolled Homogenius armor vs a 125mm cannon and Modern armor.
. No If the Israelis are willing to give Nammer then the best choice would be to push for either updated Merkava Mk3 or full Mk4.
that Said Nammer is a very very good hull for a APC and potential IFV but against T72's particularly ones that may be borderline T90. You need a true MBT. remember the T90 is based on the T72 Hull and the Venezuelans have been getting priority pick of the Russian military tit on which to suckle. Those T72's are going to have all the modern goodies.
Columbia would need a Tank that can with only half the numbers Chew up the 92 Venezuelan Army's and ask for more.