Machbet
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The Machbet (Hebrew: מחבט, meaning "racquet") is an Israeli upgrade of the M163 self-propelled automatic anti-aircraft gun, based in turn on the M113 armored personnel carrier. In addition to the 20 mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon it is armed with 4-tubes FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile launcher. The Machbet comes equipped with an upgraded tracking system and has the ability to share information with local high power radar. The vehicle carries 1800 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 8 stinger missiles.
Developed by Israel Aircraft Industries in the mid-1990s. In service since 1998. As of 2005, most of Israel's M163s (also known in Israel Defense Forces as Chovet or Hovet) have been upgraded to Machbet. While the intended role of the Machbet is the shooting down of aircraft approaching at low altitudes, it has been also found useful in urban warfare and ground support missions.
