Group : Main Battle Tanks
Status : Under Development
Origin : Israel
Contractors : Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), Rafael
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2025
Total Production : ?

The Israeli Army Carmel program is aimed at delivering a replacement for the Merkava which has been into service since the 1980s. The program was launched in 2018 with Elbit Systems, Rafael and IAI competing for the future battle tank which may be selected by 2021. The Carmel armored infantry fighting vehicle will feature new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a crew of only two-man. The first three prototypes were unveiled by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMoD) in the summer of 2019. The new tank should be more flexible, agile, effective and innovative with a lower acquisition cost than the current Merkava tank with unprecedented situational awareness. The Carmel program will deliver technologies suitable for both present and future armored vehicles as well for manned and unmanned platforms.