Diesels for Achzarit

Diesel Engineering Inc. will provide engines and transmission kits for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Achzarit heavy armored personnel carriers (APC). Valued at $10.4 million, the US Navy contract includes one option, which if exercised, would potentially raise the overall total of the contract to more than $10.5 million. It also involves foreign military financing to the state of Israel. Work on the contract will occur in Detroit, Mich., and Prague, Czech Republic, and is expected to be completed by December 2019. Coming in two variants, the Achzarit Mk-2's Detroit Diesel 8V92TA turbocharged diesel engine, offers 850-horsepower—up from the 650-horsepower found on the Achzarit Mk-1 engine—and is coupled with an upgraded Allison XTG-411-5 transmission. The new power pack can be installed without making any changes to the engine compartment or vehicle, and provides an output power of approximately 720bhp.