Arrr, mateys! 'Tis a tale of how Israel's mighty D9R armored bulldozer be known as 'The Teddy Bear'.
2023-10-15
Arr, hear ye, me hearties! The swashbucklin' Israeli lads be wieldin' a mighty fine version o' the Caterpillar D9R as they ready themselves fer a grand invasion o' Gaza! Our trusty mate, Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson, be enlightenin' us about this here beastly contraption.
The Israeli army is relying on the D9R armored bulldozer, affectionately known as Doobi or Teddy Bear, as they prepare for a full-scale invasion of Gaza. The nickname comes from the Hebrew acronym for armored mechanical engineering equipment, which sounds like "doobi." This powerful and reliable machine often saves their lives in combat situations. The D9R is essential for navigating the narrow streets, extensive tunnel networks, booby traps, and sniper positions in the urban environment. It can also detonate mines and improvised explosive devices, as well as demolish obstacles in its path. The D9R is designed and manufactured by Caterpillar and is equipped with specialized features such as added armor and a reinforced blade. It measures 27.03 feet long, 15.3 feet wide, and weighs 62 tons. The IDF Caterpillar D9 is a modified version of the D9R bulldozer, equipped with various attachments such as a mounted machine gun, grenade launcher, or smoke projector. Upgrades like "slat armor" were added in 2015 to provide increased protection against rocket-propelled grenades and other threats. The IDF Caterpillar D9 can handle tasks such as digging trenches, building bridges, and constructing defensive structures. A remotely operated version called the D9R Panda was introduced in 2018 for more hostile environments. While the exact cost of an IDF Caterpillar D9 is uncertain, a new Cat D9 bulldozer without additional upgrades is priced at around $1 million. The D9R with its reinforced blade and slat armor will serve as a nearly impervious force against bullets and explosives in the Israel-Gaza conflict. It symbolizes Israel's military might and determination. The D9R will continue to play a vital role in breaching defensive lines and combating Hamas' resistance.