Jeep returns to the battlefield with Israel’s new Gladiator-based Barak combat vehicle

Israeli manufacturers Plasan and Asfir have unveiled the Barak, a new combat vehicle based on the Jeep Gladiator pickup, marking Jeep's potential return to frontline military service in Israel. Designed for high mobility and reliability, the Barak is intended for various combat units and missions, including border patrols and special operations. It will be offered in configurations such as a nine-soldier troop carrier, a casualty evacuation vehicle, and a version for four soldiers with equipment space. The vehicle, based on the Gladiator Rubicon, features a reinforced frame, upgraded suspension, and a central machine gun position, while retaining the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. It is also expected to compete for the British Army's Land Rover Defender replacement and will later include a protected version for West Bank operations.