donaldjcheek wrote:More information on the new IDF battle ration.
As was reported in several media outlets, the field ration (a meal combat soldiers take on the field during missions or training) is about to change: the army is currently developing a new, durable meat meal to replace the traditional kosher spam already on its way to being out of use. Since the removal of kosher spam from field rations, soldiers have had to make do with frozen cans of tuna, but the Logistic Equipment Department (LED) of the Technological and Logistics Directorate is planning to replace them with a hot meat meal soon.
In future field rations, soldiers will find a portion of meat encased in an aluminum package, along with a special bag which heats upon contact with water, the result of a chemical reaction. Hundreds of infantry soldiers will try the new rations by December, after which the decision of whether to integrate the new solution or not will be made.
“This technology will allow us to give soldiers on the field a nutritious and delicious meat,” explains Head of Food Technicalities Department of LED, Maj. Donna Steinfeld. “Preparation is very simple and only takes a few minutes.”
The new field ration, available in three flavors – turkey shawarma, meat patties in tomato sauce and goulash, lasts up to a year and a half before expiration, with LED now trying to extend the period to three years. Every package inserted in the field ration will include four meat dishes, the Food Technicalities Department considering adding carbohydrates to turn it into a full on-the-field meal. The new technology comes from the US but soldiers will receive kosher rations produced in Israel by a civilian company.
IIRC, the 5 person kit was for the Sherman 5 man tank crew, and when they switched to the Merkava, the 4 man unit started.
Not a clue when that was, but they used the Sherman to at least the 1973 war...
Dirtbag is correct. Photos from the 1973 Yom Kippur War show the 5-man ration box, even though most tanks by then were M-60s or Centurions (4-man crews).
However, by the 1982 Lebanon War ("Operation Peace for Galilee"), photos show the ration box had changed to the current 4-man ration.
"I think," said Christopher Robin, "that we ought to eat all our Provisions now, so that we shan't have so much to carry."
Just read through this. I am and IDF combat vet and current reservist. As of 2016 we still eat the regular canned manot krav. They still have not updated. I believe this is because we always get food from the mess hall, even in the field. We are expected to only live off of the manot krav for 24 to 48 hours and then be back on mess hall food. Loof is no longer in production and has been replaced by tuna and stuffed grape leaves
