An IDF tank. Photo: Michael Shvadron via Wikimedia Commons.

The Israeli defense company Rafael announced Tuesday that it has sold its state-of-the-art ASPRO-A tank defense system to the US Army.

Known as Ma’il Ruach (“Windbreaker”) in Israel, the ASPRO-A will be provided by Rafael in collaboration with DRS Leonardo for the price of $193 million. The systems will be built in both Israel and the US.

According to Israel’s Channel 2, ASPRO-A is an active defense system for tanks and armored personnel carriers. It is the only system of its kind that has been used in the field. Over 1,000 platforms have been produced, in particular for Israel’s large Merkava tanks.

The system uses advanced sensors to identify threats and then intercept them in a manner similar to Israel’s Iron Dome system, albeit on a smaller scale. It also ascertains the position of the attacker and relays it for targeting so the enemy can be promptly destroyed.