Why This 'Simple' Israeli Troop Carrier Shoots Down Anti-Tank Missiles Over Gaza

The Eitan APC is Israel's first 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier — and in Gaza it became the troop carrier that shoots down anti-tank missiles in mid-flight. Developed by Israel's Merkava and Armoured Vehicles Directorate after the 2014 Gaza war exposed the fatal vulnerability of the 1960s M113, the Eitan carries Elbit Systems' Iron Fist active protection system — using radar and electro-optical sensors to fire an interceptor that destroys incoming ATGMs and RPGs before they reach the hull. Oshkosh Defense builds hundreds of Eitan hulls under a contract worth over $100 million, assembled across more than 60 facilities in Israel and the United States. The 35-ton, 750hp Eitan hits 90 km/h, carries 12 soldiers, and was delivered to the IDF Nahal Brigade in May 2023. When war erupted in October 2023, the Nahal Brigade rushed it into Gaza a full year ahead of schedule — evacuating over 250 wounded, leading deep incursions, and outrunning anti-tank fire at speeds no tracked APC could match. No soldier was confirmed killed inside one. This is the full story of the Eitan, the Iron Fist, and how Israel's simplest looking carrier became its most important. Subscribe to BritishWarForce for cinematic military vehicle documentaries every week. #Eitan #IDF #ArmoredVehicles #IronFist #MilitaryTech