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Israel and Germany have achieved a new defence partnership milestone will the launch of the first Leopard 2 main battle tank upgraded with the Trophy Active Protection System.
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The integration of the Israeli Trophy Active Protection System, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, onto the third-generation German main battle tank was celebrated during a ceremony.
The milestone follows a 2020 agreement, spearheaded by the Directorate of Defense Research & Development (DDR&D) to equip Germany’s Leopard 2 tank fleet with the active protection technology.
The protection system was designed to protect tanks and armoured personnel carriers against an extensive array of anti-tank threats.
The system has been operational in the Israel Defense Forces since 2011, installed on all newly produced Merkava Mark IV tanks and Namer armoured personnel carriers.
“The ceremony, attended by Viceadmiral Carsten Stawitzki, National Armaments Director in the German Ministry of Defense, highlights the deepening defence ties between Germany and Israel,” the Israeli Ministry of Defense said.
“This milestone adds to a series of recent high-value defence agreements, including Germany’s purchase of Israel’s Arrow missile defence system, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing defence capabilities.
“The Trophy system was developed in collaboration with the IMoD’s DDR&D, the Tank and APC Administration, and Rafael and is the world’s only operational and most advanced active protection system of its kind.
“Designed to protect tanks and armoured personnel carriers, Trophy offers robust defence against an extensive array of anti-tank threats.
“Operational in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since 2011, it is installed on all newly produced Merkava Mark IV tanks and Namer APCs. Proven in numerous operational activities, Trophy has recorded multiple successful intercepts, safeguarding both troops and armoured assets on the battlefield.”
Earlier this week, Israeli defence company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced that the German Navy had completed operational trials in the Baltic Sea for IAI’s BlueWhale autonomous submarine, together with NATO and maritime high-tech firm Atlas Elektronik.
The tests reportedly examined intelligence gathering and target acquisition capabilities above and below water, in preparation for the Marine 2035 framework.
The submarine is 10.9 meters in length and weighs 5.5 tonnes. It is equipped with advanced sensors, sonar systems and a telescopic mast that facilitate real-time transfer of information.
The trials demonstrated the technological effectiveness of integrating unmanned vessels in the military response to future threats.
