The Namera (Tigress) heavy armored personnel carrier is a conversion of the out-dated Merkava Mk.1 main battle tank. It was revealed in 2005. The Namera was fielded for trials and evaluation with the Israel Defense Forces the same year. It was also offered for export customers, however this vehicle received no production orders. Finally conversion plans were abandoned in favor to Namer (Tiger) heavy armored personnel carrier, based on the newly-built Merkava Mk.4 chassis. Production of new vehicles rather than conversion was considered more practical and cost-effective.

   The Merkava Mk.1 MBTs were in service for the last 20 years and they do not possess serious threat to the latest main battle tanks. Furthermore their 105-mm guns can not be replaced with modern 120-mm smoothbore tank guns without replacing the whole turret. It is worth mentioning that at it's time the Merkava Mk.1 was famous for it's good armor protection.

   Turret of the Merkava Mk.1 was removed and additional armor plates were added at the front of the hull and on the hull roof. Underneath of the hull was strengthened for increased protection against anti-tank mines and shaped explosives. The Namera was planned to be fitted with integrated Trophy active protection system.

   The Namera APC has a crew of three and provides accommodation for eight infantrymen. Furthermore it can take on more stretched casualty. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via the rear ramp. There are two hatches on the hull roof for commander and gunner. Vehicle lacks firing ports, as they would weaken all-round armor protection.

   Namera is fitted with remotely controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7-mm machine gun. Another 7.62-mm manually operated machine gun is located over commander's hatch.

   The Namera prototype heavy APC is powered by Continental AVDS 900 hp diesel engine.