Israel Fortifies Merkava Tanks with ‘Cope Cages’ to Counter Hamas Drone Threat

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Israel has started equipping its Merkava main battle tanks with iron mesh cages on top of their turrets, called “Cope Cages,” similar to what Russian military tanks did during the conflict with Ukraine.

The purpose of these “Cope Cages” is to protect the upper part of the tanks from threats like explosive devices dropped by small drones.

Images published by Getty Images agency show a group of Merkava 4 tanks equipped with “Cope Cages” gathered in preparation for an incursion into the Gaza Strip to protect them from drone attacks carrying explosive materials.

 Social media images from Israel also indicate that Merkava tanks have been fitted with “Cope Cages” to shield them from armed drone attacks.

In an attack by Hamas fighters on October 7, which marked the first day of their campaign, an Israeli army Merkava 4 tank was destroyed after the upper part of its turret was hit by a PG-7VR rocket dropped by drones operated by the militants.

 These PG-7VR rockets are equipped with Tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warheads, which have proven to be effective within a range of 200 meters.

A video released by Hamas shows the Merkava tank exploding after being hit by the anti-tank PG-7VR rocket.

It is believed that the successfully destroyed Merkava tanks may have been equipped with the active protection system (APS) “Trophy.”

However, this defense system, developed by the Israeli company Rafael and Leonardo DRS, only protects the tank from threats coming from the sides and not from above.

In addition to safeguarding against armed drones, the “Cope Cages” installed on Merkava tanks also serve to protect them from guided anti-tank projectiles that use a “top attack” mode.

 “Top attack” mode targets the top of the tank’s turret, as was done by the Hamas drones that dropped anti-tank rockets.

Currently, it cannot be confirmed whether Hamas and Hezbollah fighters are equipped with anti-tank missile that employ the “top attack” mode to destroy tanks.

The APS “Trophy” is one of the most extensively tested active protection systems in combat, with approximately 1,500 Merkava 4 tanks and ground vehicles equipped with this defense system.

“Trophy” uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to provide 360-degree protection against various threats.

 Once a threat is detected by the AESA radar, the “Trophy” APS system launches what is called a “penetrator” to eliminate any incoming projectiles directed toward the tank.

All of this happens within milliseconds. — DSA

DEFENCE  SECURITY ASIA APPS

 

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