Greece plans to turn hundreds of M113s into IFVs

12 December, 2024 Greek armored personnel carrier M113. Photo credits: Greek Ministry of Defense. Having evaluated the American offer to provide "free" M2 Bradley, the Greek military began to lean toward modernizing its own M113 with the support of the Israeli defense industry.

Greek publication OnAlert reported on this. After the Greek Ministry of Defense refused to receive free American Bradleys, the cost of repair of which was equal to the price of a modern infantry fighting vehicle, the Greek military continued to search for a new infantry fighting vehicle for its own ground forces. According to the media, a number of proposals were considered, including the German KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle and the French VBCI Philoctetes wheeled combat vehicle.

However, the proposal to modernize the existing fleet of Greek M113 armored personnel carriers seems to have attracted the greatest interest of the military.

VBCI Philoctetes. Photo credits: Nexter (KNDS)

This is a project to jointly modernize hundreds of vehicles by Israeli Rafael in cooperation with Greek METKA, which involves significant involvement of Greek defense companies and assembly at facilities in the country. The M113s are to undergo a major overhaul and deep modernization with additional armor, a more powerful engine, and a new remote-controlled module with a 30mm automatic cannon.

In addition, the vehicles will receive updated communications and situational awareness systems. It is noted that this is one of the solutions developed by Rafael to arm the IDF. In the early 2000s, the company presented the M113 RCWS-30 Rafael prototype, which was brought to the level of an infantry fighting vehicle.

The vehicle was equipped with a Samson Mk.1 Remote module with a 30-mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon and a Spike guided missile launcher. The ballistic protection of the vehicle was enhanced by installing a set of Armor Shield armor, different models of which provide protection against ammunition in calibers from 12.7 to 30 mm. In addition, the prototype was also equipped with the Trophy APS active protection system.

Prototype of the M113 RCWS-30 Rafael combat vehicle.

Photo credits: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

The M113 RCWS-30 Rafael's troop carrier compartment. Photo credits: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems

There are also reports of consideration of an alternative proposal to modernize the fleet of Greek M113s from another Israeli company, Elbit, which has enlisted the support of two other European companies. It provides for similar areas of improvement for vehicles with multiple weapons options.

The characteristics of the expected vehicles are based on the Greek military's intentions to obtain a combat vehicle that will be able to accompany a tank offensive and provide them with the necessary fire support.

The ground forces plan to upgrade about 500 M113 armored personnel carriers from their storage bases in this way, after which they will reinforce the tank and mechanized brigades of the 4th Army Corps, as well as the ASDEN Corps, which provides defense for the Aegean Islands.