162nd Division (Israel)

162nd Division "Ha-Plada" emblem

The Israel Defense Forces 162nd Armor Division, also known as the Steel Formation (Hebrew: עֻצְבַּת הַפְּלָדָה, Utzbat HaPlada), is a regular-service armor division in the IDF. It is subordinate to the Southern Regional Command. The division is led by Brigadier-General Moti Baruch.

History

The division played a critical role in the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the Sinai, under Abraham Adan.

Although attached to the Central Command at the time, the 162nd Division participated in battles against Hezbollah, from July to August 2006, in the western sector of southern Lebanon and north of Bint Jbail. The division reached the strategic Litani River, that separates Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon from central Lebanon. The division participated in skirmishes with Hezbollah as late as September 27.^[1]

Division organization 2023

162nd Division "Ha-Plada/Steel"
- 84th Infantry Brigade "Givati"
- 401st Armored Brigade "I'kvot ha-Barzel/Iron Trails""
- 578th Infantry Brigade "Givati" (Reserve)
- 933rd Infantry Brigade "Nahal"
- 215th Artillery Brigade "Amud ha-Esh/Pillar of Fire"
  - 55th Artillery Battalion "Dragon" (M109 Doher)
  - 402nd Artillery Battalion "Reshef" (M109 Doher)
  - 403rd Artillery Battalion "Eyal" (Reserve) (M109 Doher)
  - 531st Artillery Battalion (Reserve) (M109 Doher)
  - 5353rd Target Acquisition Battalion
  - 8194th Artillery Battalion (Reserve) (M270 MLRS)
  - Signals Company
- Division Logistics Brigade
  - Maintenance & Technology Battalion
    - Maintenance Company A
    - Maintenance Company B
    - Assistance Company
  - Movement Control Company
  - Ammunition Company
  - Medical Company
  - 2x Supply platoons
  - 3x Control squads
- Division Signals Battalion "Afik"