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Engineer Corps Unveils New Tank

August 18, 1988
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The engineering corps of the Israel Defense Forces, celebrating “Engineers Day” this week, has unveiled a new Israeli-designed, heavy-weight armored personnel carrier (APC).

The new Israel APC is based on the chassis of the British-made Centurion tank, which has its gun removed and replaced with a turret produced by Israel military industries.

Commanding officer of the engineering corps, Brig. Gen. Yosef Ayal, told military correspondents Tuesday that the IDF is preparing itself for any battlefield possibilities, including the need to have to perform front-line battle duties in areas contaminated by gas or chemical agents.

The newsmen were shown sophisticated anti-chemical warfare equipment, including a locally-made desktop detection device which analyzes the chemical content of the air.

Ayal, who described it as “among the best in the world,” said the unit cost about $20,000 and is intended for special chemical warfare units, air bases and hospitals.

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