Iron Fist (Hebrew: חץ דורבן) is a hard kill active protection system (APS) by Elbit Systems.

The system has a modular design allowing adaptation to a range of platforms ranging from light utility vehicles to heavy armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The system uses a radar  sensor developed by RADA Electronic Industries and an optional passive infrared detector developed by Elbit’s subsidiary Elisra. The system intercepts threats by launching an explosive projectile interceptor that explodes near the threat, destroying or deflecting and destabilizing it by detonating its warhead.

The Iron Fist system was initially developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) with Elbit completing the development after IMI’s privatization and purchase by Elbit.^[1]Wikipedia, Iron Fist (countermeasure)^[2]The Marker, Elbit vs. Rafael’s Armored Battles: A War for Billions, and for Life and Death, 23.05.2025

Vehicles that can be integrated with Iron Fist include: Unmanned Turret by Escribano Mechanical & Engineering,^[3]The Jerusalem Post, Elbit System’s Iron Fist heading for more US IFVs, 26.01.2026 Bradley M2A4E1 infantry fighting vehicles by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems,^[4]Elbit Systems, Elbit Systems Awarded $228 Million Follow-on Contract to Provide Iron Fist APS for U.S. Army Bradley IFV Upgrades, 26.01.2026 CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles by the Swedish company BAE Systems Hägglunds,^[5]Israel Defense, Elbit Systems Secures $150M Iron Fist APS Contracts for Europe’s CV90 Fleet, 07.01.2026 Redback IFVs by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense,^[6]Israel Defense, Good News for the Israeli Defense Industries: Australia to Purchase 129 Redback IFVs, 10.12.2023 the Israeli Eitan AVF and armored IDF Caterpillar D9.^[7]Defense Update, IDF Completes Iron Fist APS Integration on Eitan APC, Armored Bulldozers, 12.12.2022

Usage Worldwide

The Iron Fist system was ordered by Australia, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia and the USA, and was probably ordered by Denmark, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.

In two deals from May and October 2024, the US Army ordered the Iron First APS for its Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in contracts totaling $164 million.^[8]The Defense Post, Elbit to Supply Iron Fist Protection Systems to US Army Bradleys, 07.05.2024^[9]The Defense Post, US Army Bradley IFVs to Be Upgraded With Elbit Iron Fist APS, 06.11.2024 In January 2026 Elbit announced another follow up contract worth $228 million.^[10]Elbit Systems, Elbit Systems Awarded $228 Million Follow-on Contract to Provide Iron Fist APS for U.S. Army Bradley IFV Upgrades, 26.01.2026

Other clients include: Australia,^[11]Israel Defense, Good News for the Israeli Defense Industries: Australia to Purchase 129 Redback IFVs, 10.12.2023 Netherlands,^[12]Army Technology, Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS), Israel, 27.01.2026^[13]Tech Times, Royal Netherlands Army to procures IMI’s “Iron Fist”, 29.12.2016 Serbia^[14]Militarnyi, Serbia Demonstrates Modernized M-84AC3 Tank with Active Protection at Military Parade, 21.09.2025 and Slovakia.^[15]BAE systems, Slovakia signs $1.37 billion deal for 152 CV90s under government-to-government agreement, 12.12.2022

In January 2026 Elbit Systems announced that it had been awarded $150 million contracts for integrating the Iron Fist system into CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles by the Swedish company BAE Systems Hägglunds. The company did not disclose the names of the countries involved, but announced they are European NATO member states.^[16]Israel Defense, Elbit Systems Secures $150M Iron Fist APS Contracts for Europe’s CV90 Fleet, 07.01.2026 Some reporters speculate that the countries involved are Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden, which in September 2025 signed a letter of intent for the joint purchase of up to 600 of these infantry fighting vehicles.^[17]El Espanol, La OTAN apuesta por el ‘Puño de Hierro’ de Israel para proteger los blindados CV90 de los países nórdicos y del Báltico, 10.01.2026 Other likely customer of Iron Fist are the Czech Republic^[18]Breaking Defense, Czechs drop $2.2B on CV90 infantry fighting vehicles; Ukraine ‘days’ from getting them, 26.05.2023^[19]Defense Magazine, Pandur II 8×8 EVO is a new generation of Czech-made armoured vehicle, 12.04.2024 and Denmark.^[20]Israel Defense, Denmark Acquires 115 CV90 IFVs, Possibly Equipped with Elbit’s “Iron Fist” APS, 03.09.2024

Israeli Usage

The Iron Fist is not yet in active use by the Israeli Army. It is intended to be installed on “Eitan” Armored Personnel Carriers and “Panda” Armored D9 Bulldozers.^[21]Defense Update, IDF Completes Iron Fist APS Integration on Eitan APC, Armored Bulldozers, 12.12.2022^[22]The Marker, Elbit vs. Rafael’s Armored Battles: A War for Billions, and for Life and Death, 23.05.2025