UPDATE:

In light of a low profile "scandal" in the Artillery acquisition program, to replace the M109 with an Elbit's solution, a commission was set in May this year, to debate the issue as well as the future needs of the artillery corps. Among the topics were also the number of artillery pieces eventually required by the IDF, in this 1.5 billion dollar program (likely price for first batches, as usual).

On 03/08/17, the commission brought its recommendations to the Minister of Defense and were approved. 

The recommendations were not released and are still classified, however it is assumed that some of them were to go ahead with Elbit's proposal and not renew the bid, in which South Korean and German firms were also involved, in cooperation with Israeli companies IMI and IAI. 

Approval of the recommendation allows to continue the development work of the Elbit's artillery piece, to be constructed in Soltam facilities in Israel.

Reasons for the necessity of the commission, brought by other Israeli defense companies (IAI and IMI) and various sources:

• Elbit's solution is still developmental and not yet fielded elsewhere, whereas their solutions are proven and fielded, or no longer developmental.
• Their solutions technically do meet all IDF's requirements for an artillery system, thus should not be so quickly disqualified.
• The IMoD was not transparent with them on several topics including the decision to disqualify them.
• Meanwhile the IMoD had been in constant talks with Elbit without the knowledge of these companies, and while the process with them was practically frozen due to lack of communication on IMoD's part.

TL;DR

The plan to equip the IDF with cannon artillery has been approved and embedded into the Gideon multi-year plan. However there's something fishy in this program, and I would not be surprised if we'll hear a corruption case eventually.

First Polish Army unit receives full complement of Krab SPHs

Quote

 

Deliveries of Krab 155 mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) to the Masurian Artillery Regiment (11 MPA) will be completed this month, marked by a ceremony on 31 August in the presence of officials from the ministry of defence, the unit said on its website. Fourteen Krabs were delivered to the regiment by tank transporters on 31 July.

Fourteen Krab SPHs were delivered by tank transporters to the Masurian Artillery Regiment (11 MPA) on 31 July. (11 MPA)

The 11 MPA will be the first of four squadrons (Dywizjonowy Modul Ogniowy: DMO) to receive its full complement of the Krab. Each DMO comprises 24 Krabs, three command staff vehicles, eight command post vehicles, six ammunition supply vehicles, and one mobile armament and electronics workshop vehicle.

 

http://www.janes.com/article/72874/first-polish-army-unit-receives-full-complement-of-krab-sphs

This is great news!

Zyklon I'd appreciate some captions, if you will. 

I'm guessing this is the AFT-10?

That's some top notch equipment right there. I'm amazed to see that BAE has fitted its BattleView360 system (similar to Elbit's IronVision but uses eyepiece instead of helmet, making it less capable but cheaper and more accessible for export). I'm a great believer in the effect of panoramic vision systems in headgear, so that's a huge plus for me and it bugs me that they gave it no attention beyond simply mentioning it. 

I also wonder why they opted to fit an APS only onto the manned turret. Unmanned turrets are only gaining popularity today. 

New images.

Turret details:

Clockwise from the top:

1) Commander's sight.

2) Dual missile launcher.

3) 4x Trophy radar.

4) 60mm mortar.

5) Gunner's sight.

6) 30-40mm cannon with dual feed, 400 bullets.

7) Smoke grenades.

8) Coaxial machine gun 7.62mm, 700 bullets.

Illustration on the Eitan. Presentation had low res unfortunately:

Update: The turret does have an ATGM. It's just concealed.

A dual missile launcher exists in the center rear, below an elevatable hatch.

It would be nice if it'd be the Spike LR II with its greatly enhanced precision strike capability, but I maintain my opinion that it will not have a great effect on the realistic capabilities of the Namer, if the Namer is used the way it is already being used.

The turret is completely overhead and does not penetrate the deck, so it has to be automatically loaded.

I'm talking about the one in the center with 2 cameras and no apparent official designation, right above the gun.

8 minutes ago, MrMartin said:

SAA T-90A

What's that vision block at the edge of the mantlet?

4 minutes ago, Belesarius said:

Is it a manned turret, or an RWS type?

Unmanned and completely overhead. 

Worth noting that the Namer was designed with provisions for a turret, and was tested with the UT-30 Mk 1 and Samson Mk 1 who are both overhead stations.

The gun was identified as the new Mk 44 Bushmaster by ATK, in the 30mm caliber. 

Spike, as it seems, is not an option. However I do not entirely advocate it. While it will have no disadvantages other than training expenses, it won't have too many benefits to begin with. The vehicle will be too close for precision strikes and will use its gun, and against tanks it will likely rely on the specialized AT infantry units (dismounts).

I believe I've read somewhere that a typical Spike launcher can be easily placed on the hull roof. 

Either way, not too many uses.

Little update: It has a mortar. Will soon link blog post.

New turret for the Namer with an integrated APS. Will provide updates as soon as I get home. This is Zuk time!

cmon guys let's keep it in the appropriate thread. I suggest this one is closed because LiB is inactive for years.

740mm seems rather excessive given the fact it is not even that long and supposedly also has an anti-ERA tip.

7 hours ago, Mike E said:

Hard to tell how stable T-14 looks while firing thanks to that awful panning. An improvement over the original results, though. 

I think that's pretty enough. It's fairly unstable compared to some 60-ton hulks in the west. Not really surprising given the fact it has so far the highest pressure tank gun in service anywhere, and perhaps the lightest weight 3rd gen MBT in service as well. 

21 hours ago, EnsignExpendable said:

Чукча не читатель, чукча писатель

That's okay. We all get LoooSeR'd at some points. It gets hard to read and see everything when LoooSeR clutters the forum with dozens of images per day, posting them exactly when they appear elsewhere.

LoooSeR, you're something special 

Ammunition capacity seems a little low...

Is that considered acceptable?

6 hours ago, LoooSeR said:

Also reported that Egypt is interested in up to 400 T-90MS.

All reports on that are currently either complete BS or unverified to say the least. 

6 hours ago, LoooSeR said:

Khrizantema spotted in April in Libya

 

 

 

Are you sure that was in April this year? They've been spotted several years ago.

Troop compartment of the Eitan. Quite spacious. Judging by the dirt marks, this prototype has been tested extensively.

Driver's touch-screen.

EDIT: New info - Eitan will supposedly enter initial service this year, instead of the envisioned 2020. It is however difficult to see how that can be done when not a single prototype was yet fitted with either the Trophy system, or the turret.

[Reserved for future posts - SPH]

New info came in for the Carmel; It will use a 30/40mm cannon, similar to the one envisioned for the Namer and Eitan.

[Reserved for future posts - Eitan]

Troop compartment of the Eitan prototype.

Driver's touch-screen.