End of the Road for IDF M113s: Israel Opens International Tender for Legacy APCs
The Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) recently announced the launch of a tender for the international sale of M113 armored personnel carriers (APCs), which have formed the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces’ tracked vehicle fleet since 1970.
The tender notice stated that the armored vehicles being offered for sale would be transferred to the buyer “as-is,” with no technical support, warranty, or transportation services provided. However, no information was provided regarding the number, configuration, or current condition of the APCs. Nonetheless, Israel is known to be the second-largest operator of M113s after the United States, with more than 6,000 units in service and numerous customized variants developed for a wide range of missions.
Participation in the tender is subject to certain rules within the framework of the law. Local companies must hold an authorization certificate issued by the Israeli Export Control Authority. At the same time, foreign companies or countries must register with the SIBAT system or collaborate with a local firm that holds such registration.
The Ministry will organize a site visit on July 9 for customers who wish to inspect the armored vehicles on-site. Applications for participation in the tour will remain open until June 25. Following this, the bidding process will begin on July 20 and conclude on the morning of August 20. Additionally, since these armored vehicles are American-made equipment, they can only be delivered to the winner after re-export permits are obtained.
The sale of the aging M113s is not expected to have a negative impact on Israel’s defense capabilities. This is because the IDF has begun to deploy the Eitan 8×8 armored combat vehicles, which were first introduced in 2016 and entered series production in 2022. Developed by the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate at IMOD in response to lessons learned during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict (Operation Protective Edge), the Eitan boasts superior capabilities to the M113s in nearly every area. Additionally, its ability to operate in coordination with Merkava main battle tanks and Namer infantry fighting vehicles makes the Eitan a crucial asset for the IDF in ground operations frequently conducted in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and along the Lebanon border.