Hidden in plain sight: The secret Israeli Pereh tank destroyer

The Israeli armed forces have developed many unique weapon models that are used exclusively within the country. One notable example is a tank destroyer disguised as a tank. This ingenious solution was so effective that the formidable weapon remained a closely guarded secret for many decades.

The numerical advantage possessed by Israel's adversaries in armoured weaponry for decades compelled Israel to devise a weapon capable of effectively destroying tanks. One such development is the Pereh tank destroyer, equipped with a 12-rail Spike anti-tank guided missile launcher.

At first glance, the vehicle does not appear to be an anti-tank rocket launcher. It was constructed on the Magach tank chassis, the Israeli variant of the American M60 tank, hundreds of which have been in service with the Israeli army since the 1960s.

The Pereh resembles a tank, but its main gun is a decoy. Instead, the vehicle is equipped with a guided anti-tank missile launcher mounted in the turret. This configuration ensures the launcher and its missiles are camouflaged and well-protected by tank armour.

The launcher is elevated above the turret before firing. The Spike NLOS missiles fired from the Pereh can destroy targets 24 kilometres away.

Thanks to the capabilities of the Spike NLOS missiles, it is possible to engage targets both within line of sight and out of sight – including those behind terrain obstacles, buildings, or other covers.

The Spike NLOS (Non-Line Of Sight) missile transmits real-time images back to the launcher, allowing the operator to attack the target while knowing only its approximate location. This enables engagement without risk to the shooter, whether along the line of contact or in the enemy's shallow rear.

Pereh tank destroyers were introduced into service in the 1980s and participated in combat operations conducted by the Israeli army, but their existence remained classified for an extended period.

The first photos of the vehicle were released to the public only in 2014, and in 2017, the Pereh was withdrawn from service. The reason behind this decision was not disclosed, but according to some experts, the Pereh may return to service integrated with the Merkava tank chassis.