The Z-MAG, produced by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will be providing their locally-made combat vehicle to the Israeli military for the first time in decades. Capable of traversing extremely difficult terrain and with a 2.5 ton carrying capacity, the vehicle can be equipped with either a diesel or petrol engine. It is also able to be airlifted using Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters or the Hercules transport planes.

IAI Will Provide 9 Z-MAG’s, With Potentially 21 To Follow

Photo: iai.co.il

Recently, IAI has acquired the rights to the Z off-road vehicle family, and Israel’s Ministry of Defense Sub Department for Land Production and Procurement and IAI’s ELTA Group entered the agreement to supply nine Z-Mag Military units to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The agreement between the groups also includes a provision for an additional 21 vehicles to be provided to the IDF, upon request.

The Z-MAG Will Be Built In Israel

Photo: via militaryleak.com

Designed by Ido Cohen, the Z-MAG is based on the veteran racer and fabricator’s Zibar vehicles, which have been sold to nearly 100 clients across the globe. The rights to the Z-MAG design, as well as other military versions of the Zibar have been purchased by IAI with the plan to manufacture the vehicle in their southern Israel plant.

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The Z-MAG’s Reputation Precedes It

IAI’s ZMAG
via IAI

With an exceptional ability to maneuver in the most extreme topographical conditions and terrain, the Israeli-developed Z-MAG vehicle has been a strong point of interest in the local and global all-terrain, off-road community. The initial vehicles purchased by the MOD will have unique capabilities that are specially designed for the IDF’s Maneuvering Units. An assessment period will provide data and information as to whether the IDF will consider buying more vehicles in the coming years. An assembly line is being built for the Z Vehicles to be housed at ELTA’s Land Division in Be’er Sheba.

Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA, said, “IAI is proud to supply the world’s most advanced all-terrain vehicles, developed in Israel, to Israel's defense community. ELTA develops and produces a broad range of products for land purposes, including: surveillance, autonomous robotics, remote sensing, and communication. By integrating these capabilities in the Z vehicle family our products provide added value to the forces’ operational possibilities, be it in defense, assault or homeland security intelligence gathering.”

Source: IAI Press Release

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