AIL Storm The AIL Storm ( , " Sufa " ) is an Israeli manufactured off - road vehicle and the workhorse of the Israeli Security Forces . The series of Jeep Wrangler based vehicles have been produced by Automotive Industries Ltd . in Upper Nazareth under licence from Chrysler since 1990 . The vehicles fill a number of military roles , including that of armoured Infantry Mobility Vehicle , and certain models are available for export as well as for the civilian market . Production of an updated four - door second generation model commenced in 2006 despite some mixed messages from the Storm ' s primary customer , the Israel Defence Forces . Development of a third generation vehicle based on the new Jeep Wrangler JK has been completed and significant production for both Israeli and foreign customers is under way . Storm I . The M - 240 Storm MultiMission Vehicle is the first of three Storm generations . A variant of the 1991 Jeep Wrangler YJ and the older CJ - 6 / CJ - 8 wheelbase , it is entirely produced in Israel by Automotive Industries Ltd . with the exception of the engines , as their manufacture is not economically viable on the Storm ' s market scale . The Storm was primarily meant to satisfy Israeli military needs , but capable long and short versions are produced for the local civilian market . Like the Jeep , it has a conventional front - engine design with a driver and passenger seated behind the engine , and room for cargo or passengers behind them . It is powered by an AMC 3 . 983 litre 6 - cylinder in - line petrol with fuel injection developing at 4 , 700 rpm , fitted with Vortox 2 - stage air cleaner or a Volkswagen 2 . 5 litre 4 - cylinder turbocharged diesel developing 88 kilowatts ( 118 hp ) at 4 , 200 rpm . The front axle is fully floating and the rear axle is semi - floating , while a reinforced frame and body as well as good angles of approach and departure ( 40° and 37° for short frame , 40° and 26 . 5° for long frame ) add to the Storm ' s off - roading capability . The two production frame lengths , 4 . 15 ( 13 . 6 ) and 4 . 5 metres ( 14 . 8 ft ) , the latter of which was among the few such Jeep - derivatives in production in recent years , were both available in civilian and military models . Aside from the Israeli market , Storms have long been exported to countries in South America , Asia , and Africa . A Jeep - managed production line in Egypt , whose vehicles are used by the Egyptian armed forces , was absorbed into the AIL Storm production after it closed in 1995 . Security versions . Like its parent Jeep Wrangler , the Storm is first and foremost an airmobile , capable offroad and utility vehicle meant to tackle extreme terrain in a general reconnaissance role , and can be outfitted with a machine gun or other weapons systems . When armed with a 105 mm ( 4 . 1 in ) M40 recoilless rifle , the vehicle is uniquely capable of firing directly over its blast guard equipped hood rather than in the perpendicular position required by most other vehicles . A variant of the extended version used in desert border patrol makes use of a high - ceilinged canopy to allow a swivelling rear - facing heavy machine - gun mount , while the canopy can be extended to provide a mobile command post . An air conditioned hardtop version of the extended model is often used by officers , and a version developed for riot control has clear polycarbonate shielding along the rear sides and roof , as well as gunports for less - lethal weapons . The shielding allows for a wide field of view while at the same time protecting against firebomb s and rock - throwing . Armoured version . As with several analogous light military vehicles , despite being originally designed to fill a light reconnaissance role , the rise of urban warfare and close quarters combat meant that the Israel Defense Forces had to recast the Storm in new roles . When the need for a light armoured vehicle became apparent to the Israeli security forces , AIL ' s engineering department designed a vehicle protection system from the bottom up , integrating it into the existing vehicle in a manner that did not compromise its off - road and other capabilities , and that did not create the mechanical strain and increase in maintenance often associated with up - armouring , in part due to its computerized injected engine . The armour protects against 7 . 62 millimetre ( 0 . 3 in ) armour - piercing ammunition , and maintains a high protection - to - weight and cost ratio by employing IDF approved advanced materials . The protected Israeli configuration ' s gross vehicle weight is 3 , 000 kilograms ( 6 , 614 lb ) , though several varying protection levels are in use with individual units . Another important asset are the Storm ' s narrow dimensions , which allow it to traverse the narrow alleyways common to the casbah s of many Middle Eastern cities , places that armoured Humvees can only enter with great difficulty and minimal manoeuvrability , if at all . Full - height rear doors which allow for the quick deployment of fully equipped troops into combat are touted as another advantage over similar vehicles . Civilian use . First generation Storms were made available to the general public in Israel from 1992 to 2001 . A small number were purchased directly by private consumers , while larger numbers were acquired second - hand from Israeli government - owned firms like the Israel Electric Company and Mekorot water company , as well as National Parks Authority and Israel Police . Modified Storms are popular with off - roading enthusiasts in Israel . Storm II . Beginning in 2006 , AIL began delivery of an improved model to the IDF , the M - 242 Storm Mark II , known in the field as the " Storm Commander " . A number of significant changes have been incorporated into the new TJ - based Storms stemming from soldiers ' feedback , updated operational requirements , and testing by GOC Army Headquarters and Logistics , Medical , and the Centers Directorate . Perhaps the most obvious change is the addition of dual passenger doors , making the Storm II the first five - door Jeep Wrangler derivative . Other improvements include the addition of gears to six over the previous four and increased stability resulting from wider axles than its predecessor . Leaf spring s were replaced with modern suspension , and the Storm II features rear Dana 44 axles and front TJ Dana 30s , factory designed slip yoke eliminators , and the added safety of airbag s . Soldiers ' comfort was addressed as well with the addition of standard rear air conditioning as well as CD players . Storm II is also produced in an armoured version , and is offered with an optional 2 . 8 litre VM Motori turbodiesel , automatic transmission , right hand drive , and run - flat tyres . AIL is capable of completing ten vehicles daily . Due to recently passed tax laws , a civilian version is not yet available in the local market . MDT David controversy . Developed in the 2000s at an investment of US $ 2 million after IDF commitments for 1 , 200 units , some AIL jobs were believed to be in jeopardy following a mid - 2005 announcement that the IDF would purchase 100 US sold Land Rover Defender - based MDT David . The announcement provoked threats of protests from AIL ' s management and labourers , who had recently faced the blow of local Humvee assembly ceasing due to budget considerations . The MDT David was chosen over the armoured version of the Storm because the heavy Storm was said to suffer from handling and reliability problems , safety hazards and limited mission operability . However the IDF said that the purchase of the David was to fill a temporary gap in production until the Storm II ' s testing was completed , and has since begun filling its commitment . Storm III . A Storm Mark III was set to be produced for the Israeli defense forces starting in June 2008 , when the IDF will purchase around 600 vehicles beginning in early 2011 . Based on the new four - door Jeep Wrangler JK design , the Mark III is meant to address some of the shortfalls of the current Mark II . Whereas the previous vehicle was an update of the original Storm , the Storm III was designed from the outset for a five - door configuration . Unlike the JK , the new Storm has a much higher maximum load in part due to heavier - duty shock absorber s , necessary for an armored version . It includes a standard 2 . 8L VM Motori turbodiesel and automatic transmission . Like the Storm II , the Mark III was initially available only to the military with versions set to be delivered to the Israel Police in 2009 . A civilian version will only be released if the local tax code is modified to allow it to compete with foreign imports of the same class . AIL states that if such thing will happen , a petrol engine version could be offered . Regarding Export markets , the Storm 3 has already seen use in several countries , especially in its armored version . A pair of production J8 ' s was tested by Israeli web magazine Jeepolog . com journalists in April 2009 . It was dubbed " probably , the best Jeep ever " . Commander version . The commander version incorporates a 5 door hard top cab allowing for the quick and convenient entrance and exit of the driver and all passengers or troops . A large rear compartment enables the storage of both cargo and communications equipment . This version comes equipped with an air conditioning system providing maximum comfort in hot climatic conditions . A roll over protection structure ( ROPS ) maximizes safety conditions for passengers . Armored version . The armored version of the Storm 3 , designed for protection against light weapon threats , incorporates a heavy duty transfer case and a specially designed suspension system which includes heavy duty springs ( front - coil , rear - leaf ) and shock absorbers , together with rigid heavy duty axles allowing for a smooth and safe ride on both rough terrain as well as regular highways . Reconnaissance & Patrol version . The Storm 3 reconnaissance and patrol model allows for extra stowage of fuel , water and equipment . This version is especially suited to be fitted with various machine gun or special equipment mountings .