The improvements that Rafael offers for the old but versatile M-113 armored vehicles

Of all the armored vehicles manufactured in the West after World War II, the M-113 is the most widely deployed.

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This armored personnel carrier made its debut in 1960. 65 years have passed, but many of the 80,000 vehicles of this type that have been manufactured to date are still in service today. The M-113 is already an old vehicle but very capable, thanks to its simple and inexpensive design. Furthermore, it is one of the most versatile military vehicles in existence, as a large number of versions have been manufactured for a wide variety of uses: transport, ambulance, mortar carrier, command vehicle, reconnaissance, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-tank...

Modernizing the M-113 is a practical solution for the dozens of operators who continue to use this model, and it is also a cheaper solution than purchasing new, more advanced but much more expensive armored vehicles. In fact, the M-113 has been undergoing all kinds of upgrades in different countries, increasing its capabilities and improving its capabilities on today's battlefield. It should be noted that the M-113 is currently serving in two wars, in the Ukrainian and Israeli armies, where it is considered a very useful vehicle.

This week, Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems released a video showcasing the upgrades it offers for the M-113, noting: "Militaries often prioritize upgrading existing armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) over the procurement of new platforms – mainly due to the lengthy and complex acquisition processes associated with new vehicle development and deployment. Upgrading current fleets offers a cost-effective and timely alternative, enabling armed forces to rapidly enhance operational capabilities, extend platform service life, and respond to evolving battlefield threats."

The video suggests an engine swap for this vehicle, as the powertrains of many M-113s are already outdated. This swap would allow for new armor plating on the sides, front, rear ramp, and floor of the vehicle, which would offer better protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). However, it should be noted that the M-113's shape offers very limited protection against these threats.

An interesting aspect is the renovation of the troop compartment, replacing the old benches located on each side of the vehicle with ergonomic individual seats. This reduced the M-113's capacity from 11 to 6 or 8 soldiers, not including the vehicle's crew.

Another option Rafael offers is the Samson 30 Mk II RWS turret, equipped with a 30mm main gun, two Spike anti-tank missile launchers, and eight smoke grenade launchers. This would turn the M-113 into an infantry fighting vehicle for countries that don't want to spend the money on a new vehicle. This is the turret Rafael tested on the Spanish VCR Dragón armored vehicle.

Another option is a Samson Mini RWS turret, remotely controlled and armed with a 30mm cannon and two Spike missile launchers. The question is whether the cost of all these upgrades would be significant enough to warrant purchasing a new vehicle with a design better suited to resisting mines and IEDs...

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Photos: U.S. Army.