General Information

The Trophy active protection system is an active protection system (APS) designed to protect armored vehicles against anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and certain other anti-armor threats.

The system was developed by the Israeli state-owned company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It uses a radar-based detection suite, including the ELM-2133 also called WindGuard radar, manufactured by another Israeli state-owned company, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).^[1]IAI, WindGuard ELM-2133^[2]European Security and Defense, WindGuard: heartbeat of the Trophy active protection system, 01.02.2024 Since 2022, marketing, sales and integration of the Trophy system for the European market is done through EuroTrophy, a German-based joint venture consisting of Rafael, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).^[3]KNDS, EuroTrophy GmbH a new German-based company for Trophy APS is established, 29.03.2022^[4]European Security and Defence, Euro Trophy Joint Venture to be Established, 10.11.2021

Usage Worldwide

Trophy is integrated on major Main Battle Tanks including Leopard 2, Abrams M1, Challenger 3 and Merkava IV, as well as lighter platforms such as the Boxer, the Patria AMV, the Namer APC and other wheeled and tracked IFVs.^[5]EDR online, EuroTrophy and KNDS Deutschland sign a multi-nation contract to supply the Trophy® APS to four new Leopard 2 A8 user nations : Lithuania, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Croatia, … Continue reading^[6]Defense News, Rafael inks news deal to put Trophy system on UK’s Challenger 3 tanks, 11.09.2023

Several countries purchased the system including: Croatia, the Czech Republic^[7]EDR online, EuroTrophy and KNDS Deutschland sign a multi-nation contract to supply the Trophy® APS to four new Leopard 2 A8 user nations : Lithuania, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Croatia, … Continue reading, Germany^[8]Globes, Germany installs Trophy protection system on Leopard tanks, 31.10.2024, Lithuania^[9]EDR online, EuroTrophy and KNDS Deutschland sign a multi-nation contract to supply the Trophy® APS to four new Leopard 2 A8 user nations : Lithuania, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Croatia, … Continue reading, the Netherlands^[10]EDR online, EuroTrophy and KNDS Deutschland sign a multi-nation contract to supply the Trophy® APS to four new Leopard 2 A8 user nations : Lithuania, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Croatia, … Continue reading, Norway^[11]Israel Defense, Norway’s Leopard Tanks to Equip with “Trophy” Active Protection System, 18.06.2023, Poland^[12]Forsal.pl, Polskie Abramsy z nową ochroną przed dronami i rakietami! Inwestujemy w aktywne tarcze, 18.11.2025^[13]Army Recognition, Technology: Israel’s Rafael to enhance protection of Polish K2 tanks with Trophy anti-missile system, 04.09.2025, Spain^[14]Army Recognition, Spanish Leopard 2E Tanks Will Soon Be Equipped with Trophy APS to Counter Modern Threats, 20.03.2025, Sweden^[15]Israel Defense, Sweden Strengthens Ground Forces with €2 Billion Leopard 2 A8 Tank Deal, 13.01.2025, the United Kingdom^[16]Defense News, Rafael inks news deal to put Trophy system on UK’s Challenger 3 tanks, 11.09.2023, the United States^[17]Israel Defense, ELTA North America Wins $7.5M Contract to Support Trophy APS on M1 Abrams, 07.10.2024^[18]Leonardo DRS, Final Trophy Active Protection Systems Delivered to U.S. Army, 06.01.2021.

Usage by Israeli Forces in Gaza

The Trophy APS has been deployed on Israeli armored vehicles operating in the Gaza Strip since at least 2011 and through several rounds of fighting.^[19]Army Recognition, IDF Trophy System Intercepts Target Missile, 03.03.2011^[20]Army Recognition, Trophy active protection system for combat vehicle has intercepted five anti-tank missiles in Gaza, 22.07.2014 The Trophy system was used extensively by the Israeli Army in Gaza since October 2023, and was installed on all Israeli Merkava Mk-4 tanks and on Namer AFVs operating in Gaza.^[21]The Jerusalem Post, The new weapon systems Israel is using to battle Hamas in Gaza, 30.11.2023^[22]European Security and Defense, WindGuard: heartbeat of the Trophy active protection system, 01.02.2024