Armor: New Israeli Jeep Enters Service

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August 25, 2011: The Israeli military has begun receiving Sufa (Storm) 3 all-terrain vehicles. These are two ton jeep type vehicles. Actually, they are militarized versions of the Chrysler Jeep Wrangler (which is, ironically, produced under license in Iran). Sufa 1 first appeared in 1990, with Sufa 2 showing up in 2005 and now Sufa 3. There are several versions (command, recon, armored) and the design has been optimized to deal with all the unique types of off road terrain encountered in Israel.

While smaller than the American Hummer, the Sufa is more suitable to Israeli needs (which largely consist of policing hostile Palestinians). The Sufa 3 is 4.5 meters (14.7 feet) long and 1.68 meters (5.5 feet) wide. In contrast the heavier Hmmwv (hummer) is 4.6 meters (15 feet) long and 2.1 meters (7.1 feet) wide.