At the conclusion of WWII, the largest consumer of the M3 half-track was Israel. The high level of surplus vehicles still in Europe at the conclusion of hostilities meant a plentiful supply was available. Once acquired, these vehicles were amongst the first armored vehicles available to Israeli forces during the fighting in 1948 (the first Arab-Israeli war).
At the conclusion of the 1948 conflict, Israel continued to acquire M3 half-tracks from European sources, and directly from the United States; and by 1955, a concerted effort was made to standardize the acquired half-tracks in an attempt to equip two new armored brigades. Amongst the modifications was the addition of a ball-mounted machinegun in the driver's compartment.
In addition to being an armored personal carrier, the M3 half-track was a successful platform for various types of support weapons. Amongst these were anti-tank variants and mobile mortar carriers. Another variant included the M3 TCM-20, which featured a main armament of two 20mm Hispani-Suiza HS. 404 cannons fitted to a Maxson turret. Not only did this weapon prove an adequate deterrent to enemy aircraft, but could be used against ground targets to devastating effect.
