Israel made a significant stride in modern warfare technology on September 19, with the official unveiling of the groundbreaking Barak tank for its Armored Corps, equipped with an array of advanced features, including artificial intelligence (AI), sensors, radar systems, and a network of small cameras.
The Israeli Defense Ministry emphasized that the Barak tank’s integrated systems would offer a considerable advantage to Israeli troops. Its capabilities include pinpointing enemy locations and providing precise targets for combat troops on the battlefield, thanks to its cutting-edge 360-degree peripheral observation technology.
“The Barak tank was meticulously designed with the concept of anti-fragility in mind, with the primary objective of equipping IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers with a versatile weapon system that ensures victory in all combat scenarios,” declared Brig. Gen. Oren Giber, the head of the ministry’s Merkava and armored vehicles directorate.
The unveiling followed nearly two decades since the introduction of the Merkava 4 tanks into the IDF’s arsenal.
The Barak’s development spanned five years and underwent rigorous testing over the past year. The ministry’s plans aim to supply the military with dozens of these advanced tanks annually, with the first Barak brigade slated to be operational in approximately two years. During this transition, older Merkava 4 tanks will be reallocated from regular battalions to reserve units.
By the end of 2025, the Barak is anticipated to entirely replace the Merkava 4 tanks within the 401st Brigade, signifying a significant step forward in Israel’s military capabilities.
About the Barak
The Barak tank, developed under the support of the Defense Ministry’s directorate of armored combat vehicles, known locally as MANTAK, inherits the legacy of its Merkava predecessors. Although the ministry did not divulge the specific number of units ordered, deployment schedules, or costs, they did mention that the price is on par with the Merkava 4M, which stands at approximately $3.5 million for each tank.
One distinguishing feature of the Barak tank is its incorporation of touch screens and an operational application store, which greatly enhance mission execution. This high-tech system can rapidly generate and extract critical information, subsequently transferring this data to strike units as part of a comprehensive target bank. Furthermore, it facilitates real-time intelligence sharing among different branches of the military.
According to the Armored Corps, just a pair of Barak tanks can execute tasks that previously necessitated an entire platoon or even a company’s worth of Merkava tanks. Typically, an armored tank company comprises 10 tanks, as disclosed by reserve officers from the corps.
Mass production of this cutting-edge tank commenced last month, with the first Barak already delivered to Battalion 52 of the Armored Corps. Israel’s military capabilities have undoubtedly taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of the Barak tank, marking a new era in modern warfare technology.