A Decade of Force Buildup

The success of the Armored Corps in the Sinai Campaign ushered in a decade of expansion and professional development.

The IDF increased the number of armored brigades, established reserve formations, improved its training and maintenance systems, and developed a combat doctrine based on speed, concentration of force, deep penetration and operations within a divisional framework.

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During this period, Sherman, Centurion and Patton tanks entered service and were upgraded. Because political restrictions made it difficult to acquire tanks, some procurement deals were conducted in secret. At the same time, Israel developed the capability to adapt these vehicles to the IDF’s operational needs and to local climate and terrain conditions.