Shladot’s David: IDF’s Dominant Armored Vehicle
While Shladot supplies armored vehicles based on a very large variety of platforms to military and police forces around the world, the pinnacle of its activity is the David - the dominant armored patrol and command vehicle in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). A vehicle that has already become a byword
Consumers of Israeli news come across Shladot’s flagship product more often than one may think. Almost every time that television newscasts cover the IDF’s operational activities, at some point the “David” will appear in the frame – the most dominant armored patrol and command vehicle in the army. For 20 years now the David – a light armored vehicle in the 4–5-ton category – has transported and protected IDF and Border Patrol soldiers in all sectors in which they operate.
The David is the pinnacle of Shladot, a company that started as a family company in Haifa more than 50 years ago. The company has become one of the leading suppliers of vehicles and platforms, mainly in the field of military and police transport. In the past Shladot was identified mainly with commercial vehicle bodybuilding and trailers – most of which are still running on Israeli roads. Today, however, it is identified more with the
defense sector.
"We’ve transitioned from the shrinking commercial market to the expanding defense market," explains Alon Fridenson, vice chairman of Shladot. “Because of the many changes that have occurred in the commercial trailer market, local manufacturing has become uneconomic. This transition has turned us into a company that produces a wide range of military platforms, not just an armored vehicle. Whenever there is a need to transport passengers, cargo, equipment or a weapons system from point A to point B – that's where you will find Shladot’s products today."
So how would you define Shladot’s activities at the moment?
"We’re a company that operates in two main areas. The first includes design and subcontracted fabrication for the leading defense industries – companies such as Elbit, Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael. These companies, and other smaller defense manufacturers, integrate our platforms in their finished products. These products may be special purpose trailers, reconnaissance, communications or radar systems, UAV launchers, command and control vehicles, C4I shelters and containers, or platforms for missile systems that require transport, erection, protection and launch facilities.
"The second field of operation is the production and supply of mission purpose vehicles to end users. For them, Shladot supplies armored vehicles, riot control vehicles, cash in transit vehicles, heavy duty tank trailers etc.
A comprehensive solution for its customers
One of Shladot’s core competencies, according to Fridenson, is the fact that it is a one stop shop for the design and production of overall platform solutions. "The customer receives a platform that has been designed and customized for his needs, as well as all the additional integration services required – including electrical and control systems, communication, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), hydraulics etc." he emphasizes. "Based on our considerable ongoing operational experience with the IDF’s use of the David, armored vehicles are currently a major focus of our activities. Most of the armored vehicles we manufacture are based on commercial platforms – that is, we use available and reliable commercially off-the-shelf vehicles, and we use them to build top-notch armored vehicles."
Among Shladot’s customers are the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the IDF, and other security forces, along with military and police forces around the world. Outside of Israel, Shladot also cooperates with entities in the US, as well as with commercial companies and dealers that operate in different countries. Shladot has also supplied vehicles to governmental bodies in the USA, Mexico, the Philippines, Greece, and various countries in South America and Africa. As part of the development of the armored vehicle field, Shladot acquired the American MDT Armor Corp group about a decade ago. MDT Armor specializes in the design and manufacturing of armored vehicles and lightweight ballistic protection solutions for rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Today, MDT Armor continues its activities as a subsidiary of Shladot in the USA.
Extensive experience has created a broad knowledge base
“Shladot is able to provide armored vehicles on a very wide range of platforms," Fridenson clarifies. "Everything is adapted to the customer's needs and requirements. In the production process, we purchase a commercial vehicle or truck, disassemble it, and rebuild it with ballistic materials. We also upgrade the vehicle's original automotive components. Our extensive experience has created a broad knowledge base when it comes to armored vehicle development – which makes us a major worldwide player in this industry, not only in Israel. One of our major selling points is our ability to demonstrate the company’s real life combat experience -'battle proven technology'. The reputation of the Israeli defense industry has spread far and wide with regard to defense developments, and customers know that Shladot products are high-quality, reliable and battle proven – while also maintaining a sensible and reasonable price range."
What makes the David a household name in its field?
"The vast experience we have acquired over the years working with the IDF – years that saw the rise of diverse threats in the region – has resulted in continual improvement of the David vehicles. Today, these vehicles are mainly based on Toyota pickup trucks. Shladot is very proud of its flagship product. The David has been serving IDF soldiers for many years and protects them night and day and more so these days – when the threats against armored vehicles and their occupants are constantly growing. We also have other armored vehicle brands – in the 8–12-ton category – such as the Tiger. The Tiger is based on Ford or Dodge pickup trucks and other heavy-duty platforms."
What is the company working on these days?
"The company is engaged in constant development, both in terms of expanding the circle of customers for our existing products, and in the ongoing R&D of products for new defense platforms. In addition to the regular supply of David vehicles to the IDF, we recently supplied David vehicles in a five-door SUV configuration to the Greek police. We are currently starting a large-scale project in collaboration with one of the major defense industries in Israel to supply an army in South America with David vehicles with a capacity for transporting eight soldiers. We have also developed recently a modern cash in transit vehicle for Brinks Israel based on Iveco trucks, and have invested considerable resources in developing a riot control vehicle (RCV), which puts the emphasis on the safety of its operators as well as the safety of those against whom its systems are activated at."
In collaboration with Shladot
