August 6, 2007: Israel has developed an M-113 armored personnel carrier (APC) upgrade, called Urban Fighter, that protects passengers from heavy machine-gun fire, roadside bombs and RPGs. The upgrades include a new composite armor (Iron Wall) that is applied in blocks, so that damaged armor can be replaced. Iron Wall can absorb blasts from roadside bombs and EFPs (the Iranian Explosively Formed Projectile weapons). A new, more compact slat armor design protects against RPGs. Bullet proof windows are added to the vehicle, in the front and sides. There is an armored superstructure (think of it as a fixed turret) that also contains bullet-proof windows. There are also side and rear video cams to cover blind spots. There are firing ports in the front, sides and rear. The nine passengers (driver and eight others) sit in blast protected seats.

The upgraded M113 costs less than $100,000. The first vehicles are being sent into action in Gaza and the West Bank this Summer.