The Israel Defense Forces is adding a number of new pieces of logistics equipment to its stocks with aim of improving operations in battle, particularly when it comes to supplying soldiers with water and other needs. The new equipment was tested and proved successful in an exercise the Armored Corps' 7th Battalion conducted a few weeks ago. One of the new developments is a versatile military tow tractor that is pulled behind armored vehicles such as tanks or armored personnel carriers, and can carry supplies of water, fuel, ammunition, and other equipment. The tractor can travel over any terrain that tanks can, hauling up to eight tons of supplies. "It gives each company a few days' breathing room," Lt. Col. Udi Amira, of the IDF's Technical and Logistics Directorate, said. Another new tool is the Camel II water distribution system, which the IDF received from U.S. military overstock. The "camel" is a large water tank that can be loaded on to new trucks. "Unlike in the past, this [system] doesn't tie the truck to [any certain] company. It leaves water tanks in the field, and can go on to the next mission. If grants a battalion independence to drink, fill water containers, and shower," Amira explained. The IDF soon expects to acquire trucks with integrated cranes that will make it possible to fix tanks that become stuck in the field by switching out their motors. According to Amira, the trucks are armored and can enter combat territory. One of the crane units, he noted, is even air-conditioned.
