Officials said this marked the first upgrade of an Israeli combat
platform used in the war against Hamas in 2009. They said the Obama
administration has rejected or withheld approval for the procurement or
upgrade of such platforms, including the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, to
prevent another war in the Gaza Strip.
On May 17, the U.S. Defense Department awarded a $20.4 million for
engine upgrade kits for the Achzarit. Under the contract to Diesel
Engineering, based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., the Achzarit engine as well as transmission
and cooling systems would be enhanced.
A Pentagon statement said the project would result in a 20 percent
increase in horsepower for the tracked Achzarit, introduced to the Israel
Army in 1994. The APC, based on a Soviet-origin T-55 main battle tank, would
also see a 200 percent increase in acceleration.
"This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Israel — 100
percent," the Pentagon said.
Achzarit has been powered by either 650 horsepower Detroit Diesel
8V-71TA or 850 horsepower 8V-92TA engines. The platform, which contains a
60mm mortar, has been produced in several configurations, including infantry
fighting vehicle and ambulance platform.
The Pentagon contract is expected to be completed by June 2013.