Shot

Israel’s first appeal to Britain on the possible purchase of Centurion tanks dates back to 1953, the decision to sell was made in 1955, but for a number of political reasons ^{[1] the} contract was signed only in 1958. The first tanks arrived in Israel in 1959.

Used tanks of the Mk.5 model were bought, as well as new Mk.7 and Mk.8, there is information about the purchase of a certain amount of Mk.3. Used tanks were bought after major repairs, in addition, the original 20-pound tank gun was replaced with a 105-mm L7 gun. Until 1964, overhaul and replacement of the gun were carried out in the UK, after - directly in Israel. Some tanks entered the AOI with the original gun, but in most cases it was replaced.

In total, about 1,100 tanks were purchased ^[2] . The last tanks were received in 1973 ^[3] . The tanks that entered service were called Shot in the Israeli army, and the name Centurion was used for tanks with a 20-pound cannon ^[4] .

The modernization of Shot tanks began in 1969 at an Israeli tank repair plant. Since 1970, only modernized tanks entered service ^[5] .

The upgrade mainly consisted of the following:

• The Meteor English water-cooled gasoline engine was replaced by the American air-cooled Teledine Continental AVDS-1790-2AC diesel engine.
• The mechanical transmission was replaced by a cross-drive hydromechanical transmission Allison CD850-6.
• The engine compartment was redesigned for a new engine cooling system.
• Armored air filters were installed on the fenders.
• The electrical system of the tank was replaced.
• Headlights were modernized.

The modernization was designed to increase mobility, power reserve, simplify management, as well as reduce fire risk, due to the transition to diesel fuel . In addition, the new diesel engines had a much greater motor resource than the obsolete English Meteors. The ammunition capacity of the tank increased to 72 rounds.

The modernized tanks were called Shot Kal , unmodified unofficially became known as the Shot Meteor or Shot Gasoline.

Shot tanks took part in the Six Day War of 1967, at the time of the outbreak of the war in the Israeli army, there were 385 of these tanks, of which 293 were combat-ready. Only 10 tanks were an option with a 20-pound gun, the rest had a 105-mm gun. The six-day war cost Israel 122 tanks. Given the number of armored forces of the Israel Defense Forces, the damage is very significant. In addition, many trained tankers, including officers, were killed. But if the Israeli losses are serious, then the Egyptian ones are catastrophic. Out of 935 tanks and self-propelled guns, about 825 were destroyed and captured as trophies: 291 T-54A, 82 T-55, 251 T-34-85, 72 IS-ZM, about 50 Shermans, 29 PT-76 and 51 SU-100 and several hundred armored personnel carriers ^[6] .

Shot tanks were used in War of Attrition operations.

At the time of the Doomsday War began in 1973, there were 222 Shot and 787 Shot Kal in the IDF , which was half of the Israeli tank fleet.

On the northern front, in the Golan Heights , the Israelis deployed the 177 Shot Kal of the 7th Tank Brigade and the 188th Barak Brigade . These regular formations in a fierce battle stopped the attack of about 1,200 Syrian tanks, including the T-62 of the 3rd Panzer Division and some parts of the Republican Guard with their powerful 115 mm guns ^[7] . The Syrians attacked the fortifications in the Al Quneitra region with three infantry and two tank divisions and a separate tank brigade. Although the three divisions were called infantry divisions, in fact they were mechanized , there were about 180 tanks in each tank brigade and tank battalions of infantry brigades. The Syrians were opposed by one infantry and one tank brigade of the Israelis and part of the units of another tank brigade. The total number of Israeli tanks in the Golan Heights is up to 200 ^[6] .

For 48 hours, the continuously decreasing number of Shots held back the Syrians, while the Israelis hurriedly mobilized and sent reservists and tanks to defend the Golan Heights. After 51 hours of almost continuous battle, the Syrians began to withdraw, leaving about 500-600 wrecked tanks and about the same number of other combat vehicles on the battlefield. The crew of one Shot under the command of Major Shmuel Askarov destroyed 35 T-54 / 55 and a large number of armored personnel carriers on the first day of the war. During this battle, an Israeli tank was hit four times, and after another hit of a T-54 shell, Askarov was wounded ^[8] .

The 7th brigade lost 98 (according to other sources - 73) Shotov out of 105, but destroyed 230 Syrian tanks and more than 200 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. The 188th brigade lost equipment less than the 7th, but the loss of personnel was higher - in four days of fighting in the brigade 90% of the officers were out of order ^[6] .

A number of Shot Kal took part in the Lebanese operation Peace of Galilee in 1982 .

Changes in the course of modernization led to the creation of several varieties of Shot Kal . Some tanks were converted from one variety to another as a result of additional modernization.

• Shot Kal , officially Shot Kal Alef - the initial modernized version.
• Shot Kal Bet - hydraulic turret and gun control drives, instead of the original electric ones.
• Shot Kal Gimel - Honeywell stabilizer , the same as on the M60A1 tank. A more powerful generator and a modified exhaust system.
• Shot Kal Dalet - “Barak-Or” JMA , Browning M1919 machine guns replaced by MAG-58 .
• Shot Kal Khey - GMS “Gal”, only 1 prototype was manufactured.

The Shot and Shot Kal tanks were withdrawn from service with the regular IDF tank units in 1992, however, a large number of these tanks remained after that in training and reservist units. Basically, the process of complete removal of tanks from armament was completed by 2001, but some vehicles still remain in the reservist units.

Discontinued tanks are converted into heavy armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles.

• " Nagmashot "
• Nagmahon
• Nakpadon
• Puma
• 155-mm self-propelled guns with M68 gun (with a barrel length of 39 calibers) - developed in 1978 by the company "Saltam"; weight 51.8 tons; firing range up to 23.5 km; speed of 35 km / h ^[9] .

• Simon Dunstan. "Centurion" - universal tank / "Bronesite" V. Chobitka
• Oleg Granovsky. Tanks and tank destroyers / WarOnline website, 01/11/2002 (as amended on 02/13/2006)