The IDF is taking advantage of the increase in the security budget to upgrade the private vehicles of the commanders of combat units: after years of lagging behind civilian leasing cars received by senior officers, brigade and battalion commanders in the ground forces and their counterparts in the air and navy will receive new crossover vehicles, worth about NIS 170,000.
Four models were chosen by the Technology and Logistics Branch, all with active safety systems, and suitable for a family with three children.
• Kia Sportage, 2,000 cc. engine, 156 horsepower.• Peugeot 408, 1,200 cc. turbo engine, 130 horsepower.• Peugeot 3008, 1,200 cc. turbo engine, 130 horsepower.• Toyota Corolla 1,800 cc. hybrid engine, 150 horsepower.
Among the four, the two Peugeot and Kia models are the most spacious, and the Corolla is the most economical. Despite the high mileage made by military vehicles in the IDF, ATAL (Technological and Logistics Directorate) chose only one hybrid vehicle, even though hybrid crossovers are available in the market.
However, following the deterioration of relations with Turkey and the economic embargo imposed by President Erdogan on Israel, it is still unclear how the Toyota Corolla models, which have so far arrived in the country from Turkey, will be supplied to Israel.