Israel recently released a new AI tank called "Barak", which has high hopes and is hailed as the beginning of a new era of warfare. This tank has attracted much attention for its innovation and high degree of technology, and is believed to greatly enhance the combat capabilities of the Israeli army. One of the highlights of the "Barak" tank is its 360-degree battlefield perception capability, which provides the operator with a comprehensive view of the battlefield.
In a demonstration video, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operators were able to identify targets in front and behind a tank through a special helmet that helped them filter battlefield data and enable real-time intelligence sharing. In addition, the tank can seamlessly pass information to another nearby tank, allowing it to respond quickly and identify targets.
To make better use of this advanced technology, tank crews will be equipped with touch-screen devices to become familiar with and use "unique" applications. In addition, the "Barak" tank has "advanced observation and night vision capabilities" that enable the tank crew to excel in close combat, thanks to a new spacious and reliable "sensor infrastructure" that is able to analyze the terrain more accurately.
The Israel Defense Forces stressed the continued value of tanks in the military, with Israeli Defense Minister Eyal Zamir calling tanks "the backbone of armored corps and ground combat." However, he pointed out that the "Barak" tank marked a "new era" of combat and was a "breakthrough" on the modern battlefield.
Major General Oren Giber, who is in charge of the Defense Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate, said the tank sets a "very high standard of technical excellence" for the IDF because it combines a "unique weapons system" with high-quality technology and built-in flexibility.
Although the price of the "Barak" tank has not been disclosed, Defense News reported that officials put its price on par with the "Merkava 4M", which costs about $3.5 million. The "Barak" tank has technical additions and improvements.
The tank took five years to develop and mass production began last month. Officials believe the Barak will replace the Merkava tank by the end of 2025, 20 years after its debut. In addition, officials plan to produce "several dozen" tanks per year to further update the army's equipment.