Elbit Systems unveiled the "Sabrah" light tank system in 2020, while the "Sabrah" only recently appeared in Elbit's online portfolio. Elbit Systems' "Sabra" configurable light tank solution adds efficient firepower to armored fighting vehicles (AFVs). Based on the success of fully combat-proven armored vehicles and turrets used by numerous armed forces around the world, the "Sabra" series of solutions is the latest generation of AFV systems developed by Elbit Systems. The modular design enables tracked or 8X8 wheeled platforms to use the same 105 mm turret, providing reliable, high-performance firepower to the battlefield. As an OEM of light tank solutions, including turrets and other subsystems, Erbit Systems employs a variety of advanced technologies to provide high-performance and effective solutions.
Sabra's tracked light tank configuration is based on the tracked ASCOD AFV chassis, which is manufactured by General Dynamics Continental Systems Europe (GDELS), which is part of General Dynamics Aerospace and Defense. The wheeled light tank configuration is based on the 8X8 wheeled Pandur II chassis supplied by the Czech Republic's military vehicle exporter Excalibur Army.
Design and characteristics of the Sabra light tank
The Sabra light tank series weighs 30 tons and has a modular design. It is equipped with a universal 105 mm manned turret that can be mounted on tracked and wheeled chassis. The vehicle's all-electric turret drive provides two-way stabilization, and the high-performance turret provides hunter-kill capability. The tank offers an optimal combination of firepower and maneuverability. It can be configured to provide enhanced lethality.
Sabra is equipped with an armored protection system that provides ballistic protection up to NATO STANG 4569 Level 4. The car can be integrated with active protection systems. It includes the company's TORCH-XTM combat management system. The combat-proven armored vehicle is also fitted with an optoelectronic (EO) sight, a fire control system, and a life support system.
Armament
Sabra's turret design benefited from the combat experience of Elbit Systems and the Israel Defense Forces "Merkava" and "Mantak" armored vehicles. The turret, fire control system (FCS), electro-optical system and 105 mm tank gun have been used by the Israel Defense Forces and many other armed forces around the world. The Sabra light tank was armed with a combination of the Army 105 mm gun and the 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun of Elbit Systems. In addition, the armament includes 8 76 mm smoke grenade launchers and 2 optional anti-tank missiles.
The 105 mm/52 caliber low recoil gun has a heat shield to increase the probability of hitting the target. The gun is equipped with an integrated impact muzzle brake, with a rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute and an effective range of 3600 meters. The gun uses NATO standard ammunition, including tail stabilized shell piercing shells (APFSDS), armor fragments (HESH) and high-explosive tracer shells (HEP-T).
The 105 mm gun can also use the multi-purpose high-explosive tracer bullet (HE-MP-T) M110 bullet, which can provide a lethal strike capability with high hit rate and low collateral damage. Ammunition is loaded using an automatic reloader and loaded with a manual backup. The tank's autoloader contained 12 rounds of ready-to-use ammunition, and the other 24 were stored in the hull.
The secondary armament was a 7.62 mm machine gun with 500 rounds of ready ammunition and another 1500 rounds stored in the hull.
Observation and fire control
Light tanks can be equipped with a panoramic sight system with day and night vision EO sensors that can provide effective combat support day and night in any weather condition. Panoramic sights are used to effectively observe and aim at targets. High-definition color cameras with zoom are used for daytime combat, while thermal imagers with 3 micron to 6 micron detectors are used for night combat.
Thanks to the use of dual-axis sight stabilization technology, the Sabra tank can shoot at both fixed and moving targets. The tank's complex fire control system controls firepower and assists in targeting and engagement.
Inside the turret is equipped with a radio/communication system, a combat management system (BMS) and a navigation system, a digital fire control system, a laser rangefinder and a gun commander with advanced photoelectric sensors (day, night vision and LRF) and a double stable panoramic sight for static and dynamic shooting, the laser rangefinder measures from 80m to 7000m, the panoramic sight has a day and night detection distance of 12000 meters for standard targets, an identification distance of 8,000m, and a locking of 4,000m. The performance is still quite good.
Sabra's communications and sensors include navigation and communication systems, including E-LynXTM software-defined radios. The automatic tracking system improves the system's hit rate on the move, while the laser rangefinder on the tank can measure a distance of 7,000 meters.
Meteorological sensors can be optionally incorporated to measure variables such as wind, pressure, and temperature to correct the ballistic trajectory. Other optional systems include a laser warning system, as well as a fluoroscopic head-mounted display.
Sabra light tank chassis
The base platform of the Sabra ASCOD (Tracked) light tank is a seven-wheel tracked chassis with a lightly armored steel structure. Thanks to ongoing technology upgrades, it offers advanced maneuverability and lightning protection, thanks to the platform's open system structure. The ASCOD tracked chassis is a well-known and successful continuous evolution of the ASCOD concept, with complex tracked systems and protective technologies. Thanks to continuous development and technology insertion, ASCOD offers advanced protection and maneuverability, with a large internal volume in a very compact size and a large payload at low total vehicle weight. AsCOD is a seven-wheel chassis that incorporates the main universal subsystems in an integrally welded steel shell structure: the power pack, the operating unit and the fuel. The chassis provides ASCOD with its maneuverability/lightning protection characteristics and serves as an interface to all other major subsystems. The power pack is located on the right side of the front, in a sealed compartment separated from the crew compartment. The car is powered by an eight-cylinder diesel engine and a hydro-mechanical drivetrain.
The ASCOD 2 armored vehicle was developed by General Dynamics European Land Systems, abbreviated as ASCOD, which stands for Austria-Spain cooperation and is a second-generation vehicle developed in 2004. Length 7.6 meters, width 3.4 meters, height 2.5 ~ 2.8 meters, normal weight of about 30 tons, can be added turret or additional armor to increase to 42 tons, crew 3 people, the car can accommodate about 7-8 people. The whole vehicle is welded armored structure, the walking device adopts torsion bar independent suspension, 7 pairs of load wheels, double pin tracks, can be installed in the snow state to adapt to the snow road. The car is equipped with a German MTU 8V199 TE21 diesel engine and a Lenk 256b fully automatic transmission with an output of 600 kW (816 hp), a gradient of 60%, a slope of 40%, a vertical step of 0.9 m, a trench of 2.5 m, a wading of 1.5 m, a maximum road speed of 70 km/h, and a maximum travel of 600 km. The vehicle's basic armor can withstand Russian 14.5 mm caliber heavy machine gun fire 500 meters away, the side and rear armor can withstand NATO standard 7.62 mm rifle bullets, and there is a lightning protection system at the bottom of the car. Modular composite armor can be installed on the front and rear sides of the hull, which can make the armored vehicle meet the NATO level 6 bulletproof standard and directly resist 25-30mm shells.
The Pandur II chassis of the Sabra Pandur II (wheeled) light tank has a sturdy chassis characterized by robust chassis components, optimum ride comfort and minimal maintenance. The contact of the wheels with the terrain is comparable to that of a track, and all drivetrain components are completely covered and protected by the hull armor. This unique solution features higher ground clearance and enhanced protection. The heavy-duty chassis enables high off-road performance, and this 8×8 wheeled vehicle can carry up to 14 passengers.
The car is equipped with an automatic drive management (ADM) system. By automatically checking the drivetrain's sensors, the unit can adjust the power of each axle and wheel according to road/terrain conditions, so the driver can focus entirely on tactical tasks. This solution minimizes the need for driver training. The power pack consists of a Cummins diesel ISLe T450 HPCR engine with an automatic transmission and cooling system. Other components of the power pack include generators, intake and exhaust systems, air conditioning compressors, hydraulic pumps and drive shafts. Sabra offers superior riding performance with maximum traction and reduced drivetrain stress/wear, fuel consumption and life cycle costs.
Advantages and advantages of the "Sabra" light tank series: comprehensive solutions under a single OEM, combat-proven systems, all systems (chassis, turrets, etc.) provided and successfully deployed in many countries around the world, reliable and cost-effective solutions that meet all current and future combat needs of the armed forces.
Procurement by the Philippine Army
In June 2018, the Philippine Department of Defense approved the Horizon 2 project, preparing to purchase a fleet of light tanks and wheeled armored assault vehicles, each equipped with 105 mm guns, and several companies participated in the competition. As part of its Horizon 2 modernization program, the Philippine Army has begun a light tank procurement program to provide a starting point for the Philippine Army's goal of rebuilding its lost armor or tank capabilities. The Philippine Army's light tank procurement program was created after a long internal study and debate on whether to purchase heavy main battle tanks with combat weights between 55 and 70 tons, or light and/or medium tanks with combat weights below 42 tons. While plans to purchase main battle tanks remain, mechanized infantry divisions (MIRs) want to learn first from operating modern light/medium tanks to determine if they are suitable to meet their current and future requirements.
According to information provided by MaxDefense Philippines on October 4, 2020, Israeli company Elbit Systems has supplied its new Sabrah light tanks for the Philippine Army's light tank procurement project, which are based on the GDELS ASCOD 2 tracked type and the Czech Excalibur Army's Pandur II wheeled armored vehicle, with Hanwha Systems K21-105 and Otokar Arma 105 light tanks, and the Pindad Harimau light tank competed. Ottoka bid for the wheeled part, and Hanwha bid for the tracked part of the procurement project. In the end, Elbit Systems was awarded a three-year, $172 million contract to supply the Philippine Army (PA) with sabra light tanks in January 2021.
The company expects to deliver to the Philippine Army 20 Sabura tracked light tanks fitted with 105mm guns in 2022. The Philippine Army will also receive 10 Sabrah wheeled tanks based on the Pandur II by 2023.
The Philippine government is procuring these tanks as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) revised Under Horizon 2 Light Tank Procurement Project.
MaxDefense Philippines confirmed that the Philippine Army will acquire tracked and wheeled platforms for sabrah light tank systems. Eighteen TRACKED tanks based on ASCOD 2 and 10 wheeled Pandur II 8x8, as well as armored command and armored recovery vehicles based on ASCOD 2 vehicles, as well as unspecified quantities of 105 mm tank ammunition, were included in the transaction worth PHP 9.484 billion (US$193.6 million). All vehicles will be equipped with Elbit Systems' E-LynX software-defined radio, Torch-X battlefield management system, and other equipment.
There were not as many light tanks on the international arms market before, but light armored vehicles equipped with 105 mm guns were still needed for armed reconnaissance and fire support for infantry. These duties were mainly taken over by 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles or infantry fighting vehicles equipped with 105 mm guns. Most militaries no longer consider it necessary to use light tanks because tracked vehicles cannot travel long distances without wearing out their tracks. Even light tanks must be transported over long distances by rail or tow trailer to avoid track wear. Another reason I prefer Sabrah is that the Philippines has no land borders and no threat of invasion. But some Islamist terrorist groups in the southern Philippines remain, which sometimes ambush military vehicles and often use roadside bombs. It is worth mentioning that it can be used with the Pandur II wheeled assault vehicle introduced from the Philippines to have a universal turret, simplifying logistics.
The Philippine military announced that it will receive Sabrah Ascod light tanks and Pandur II armored personnel carriers (APCs) from Israel in December 2021. The 20 Israeli armored vehicles include 105 mm guns, 105 mm guns and automatic 120 mm vehicle-mounted mortars. According to Colonel Anton Abrina, chief of staff of the Armored Corps, the new ground vehicles are "real tanks" compared to the country's current armored vehicles, which are only equipped with small-caliber artillery.
In addition to Sabrah Ascod and Pandur II APC, according to Colonel Anton Abner, the Philippines will receive six-wheeled armored vehicles to replace its four-wheeled armored vehicles. He also said it plans to deliver 10 more Sabrah light tanks by 2023. The Philippine Army, which has been modernizing to improve its firepower and capabilities, is said to be looking to buy 144 light tanks and may acquire its first main battle tanks in the coming years.
Czech-equipped Pandur II 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier
Sabrah as a possible tank of the future Czech Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR).
Sabrah offers interesting opportunities not only for the Czech Armed Forces, but also for the Czech defence industry. Recently, it was reported that Elbit Systems (a turret manufacturer) will supply Sabrah to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Pandur II wheeled chassis will be partially manufactured in the Czech Republic. Czech companies are able to participate in the global supply chain for chassis production, which can bring advantages in the future. Other Czech companies can also participate in the project, for example in the field of optoelectronic components for vehicles. Within the framework of very good relations between the Czech Republic and Israel, the question is what percentage of the project will be made in the Czech Republic.
There are three possible basic scenarios for ACR involving Sabrah projects:
The first was to completely replace the T-72M4 CZ tank with the Sabrah and to some extent reduce the tank's capabilities (using a smaller caliber gun). On the other hand, this will achieve greater maneuverability and transportability by air (C-130, C-17 Globemaster III, or Alliance An-124). Another advantage in terms of armaments for general use is the possibility of mounting the Sabrah turret on a platform that will be selected by ACR as a new tracked infantry fighting vehicle. In this case, the operating and maintenance costs of these vehicles can be reduced.
The second scenario might be to reorganize the 44th Light Motor Vehicle Battalion into a mechanized battalion according to the ACR Construction Concept 2025 and 2030. If the Pandur II is introduced to the unit, it will increase combat capabilities and firepower. The Pandur II platform offers high maneuverability and the possibility of relatively easy transport, whether by self or air. If necessary, the ACR will be able to quickly deliver the necessary firepower to the destination. In addition, Pandur II has been introduced in the ACR, which would be advantageous from a training, experience transfer, and service perspective.
The third, and perhaps most financially and logistically demanding, option is the establishment of a unit of Sabrah light tanks within the 7th Mechanized Brigade. In this case, it is possible to count on maintaining the MBT in the ACR, and units of the 7th Mechanized Brigade are supplemented by light tanks/fire support vehicles on the same platform as tracked infantry fighting vehicles. In the case of the construction of a "heavy brigade" in accordance with NATO's requirements, the firepower of the 7th mechanized brigade will increase. Before deploying heavy MBT tanks, light tanks may be deployed on the battlefield first.
Experts from the Ministry of Defense and the Czech Armed Forces face the daunting task of choosing an alternative to the T-72M4 CZ tank. Both main candidates offered both in terms of technical and technical characteristics as well as in terms of possibilities involving the Czech defence industry. The main factor most likely to decide will be the amount of funds allocated to the modernization of the tank unit.
Given the Czech Commitment to Build "Reloaded Brigades", it can be assumed that experts will not underestimate this area. The Sabrah platform can at least serve as a temporary solution to the economic problems of the Ministry of Defense, which will provide the possibility of unifying ACR armaments (in the case of "heavy brigades"), expanding and increasing firepower, and finally the Czech defense and security industry has the opportunity to participate in the introduction of modern systems in ACR, thus gaining experience in the possibility of developing modern systems on its own.