Rafael's Trophy is an Israeli hard-kill active protection system for armored vehicles, documented in Gaza combat on Merkava tanks and later adopted for additional armored fleets. Rafael says it is in serial production, adaptable to tanks, APCs, wheeled vehicles, and 8x8s, and fielded on Merkava, Namer, Abrams, and Leopard 2A8 fleets.
During Operation Protective Edge in the 2014 Gaza War, Israeli Merkava Mk IV tanks equipped with Trophy operated near the central Gaza Strip and were fired on multiple times by Hamas anti-tank teams; Army Recognition also reported a July 2014 Kornet interception and multiple Trophy-protected tanks in Gaza.
During the 2023 Israel-Hamas War, Israeli Merkava tank crews used Trophy in Gaza, and Hamas footage from fighting around Khan Younis showed the system triggering during an attack there.
Role detailsRafael describes Trophy as a modular hard-kill APS for multiple armored vehicle classes. The linked platforms below are the ones the public sources tie to real-world integration, fielding, or formal evaluation.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Main battle tank | Rafael's PDF says Trophy is in combat use on Merkava 3 and 4 MBTs, and combat reporting shows Israeli Merkava crews using the system in Gaza. Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael, Merkava Tank's Trophy Protection System Showcased In Hamas Video |
 | Heavy APC / IFV | Rafael's PDF lists Namer APCs among Trophy-equipped combat vehicles, showing the system is used beyond tanks. Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael |
 | Main battle tank | The U.S. Army said Trophy APS was part of its active-protection plan for Abrams, and Rafael's PDF says the system was under production contract for the USG Abrams family. Sources: Army developing improved active protection systems for vehicle armor, TROPHYTM APS - Rafael |
 | Infantry fighting vehicle | Rafael's PDF says Trophy completed multiple tests on the Bradley, showing Army evaluation for tracked IFV integration as well as tanks. Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael |
 | Wheeled infantry carrier | Rafael's PDF says Trophy completed multiple tests on the Stryker, extending the system's test history into wheeled combat vehicles. Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael |
 | Main battle tank | Rafael said the first Leopard 2 A8 tanks equipped with Trophy rolled out in November 2025 and that four NATO countries had selected it for Leopard 2 A8 fleets in January 2026. Sources: RAFAEL Marks Roll-Out of First Leopard 2 A8 Tanks Equipped with TROPHY Active Protection System, TROPHY APS has been selected by Four NATO countries for their Leopard 2 A8 Fleets |
Rafael presents Trophy as a combat-proven APS that creates a neutralization bubble around the vehicle rather than simply adding armor. The official product material emphasizes maturity, wide platform fit, and the threat mix it is built to defeat.
| Trait | Source-backed fact | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Operational maturity | Rafael says Trophy is in serial production, has more than 500,000 operational hours, and draws on more than 20 years of APS experience. | It reads as a fielded combat system, not a prototype. |
| Threat coverage | The product material says Trophy defeats recoilless rifles, ATGMs, HEAT tank rounds, and RPGs. | That is the threat set most often associated with tank ambushes and urban anti-armor attacks. |
| Vehicle fit | Rafael says Trophy can be adapted to wheeled and tracked IFVs, MBTs, 8x8s, and other medium-weight platforms. | The APS spread from Israeli tanks into broader partner fleets because the same core system works across vehicle classes. |
| Protection geometry | The official material describes 360° azimuth coverage, extensive elevation coverage, and a high-kill probability. | It is designed for close ambushes and more difficult top-attack or high-angle threat profiles. |
Rafael's PDF says Trophy was already in combat use on Merkava 3 and 4 MBTs and deployed along Israel's borders, showing operational Israeli service by 2011.
Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael
Marine Corps Gazette writing on Trophy described Israeli Merkava Mk IV tanks near the central Gaza Strip being fired on by Hamas anti-tank teams during Operation Protective Edge, while Army Recognition reported a July 2014 Kornet interception and multiple Trophy-protected tanks in Gaza.
Sources: Trophy Active Protective System - Marine Corps Gazette, Army Recognition Merkava IVM Windbreaker
Army News Service said Trophy APS was one of the Army's active-protection paths for the Abrams and that it was hoped the system would field by 2020.
Sources: Army developing improved active protection systems for vehicle armor
Rafael and German defense officials marked the launch of the first Leopard 2 tank upgraded with Trophy active protection.
Sources: Historic Ceremony in Germany Marks the Launch of the 1st Leopard Tank Equipped with TROPHY APS
Rafael said the first Leopard 2 A8 tanks equipped with Trophy rolled out in Munich, showing the system's NATO adoption path.
Sources: RAFAEL Marks Roll-Out of First Leopard 2 A8 Tanks Equipped with TROPHY Active Protection System
Rafael said Trophy had been selected by four NATO countries for Leopard 2 A8 fleets, with the contract valued at about €330 million.
Sources: TROPHY APS has been selected by Four NATO countries for their Leopard 2 A8 Fleets
