The Nagmashot or Nagmashot is the first modern heavy Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). It was converted from retired Shot Kal (upgraded Centurion) main battle tank hulls, in response to the shortcomings of conventional APCs in combat. The name is a combination of the Hebrew term for an APC ("Nagma"), and the Hebrew word for "Whip" ("Shot", which was the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) name for their upgraded Centurion tank, from which the Nagmashot was converted). IDF wanted heavily-armored vehicle for assaulting heavily-defended strong points - such a vehicle quickly developed by simply converting the hulls of retired main battle tanks already in the IDF inventory. The development of the Nagmashot was surprisingly brief, and the first operational examples were in service by 1984. Replacing the familiar Centurion turret is a pyramidal case mate with a rectangular roof. There are two circular hatches at the front of the case mate roof which are hinged in the rear, and two rectangular hatches at the aft which are hinged in front, allowing four soldiers to stand in the hatches to observe all four quarters around them. The skate mounts accept MAG 7.62 mm MGs, Mk.19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers and M2HB 12.7 mm MG. Up to 8 passengers were carried.