The Sabra was initially developed as a further evolution of the Magach 7C. The ballistic profile of the appliqué armor was improved, and it incorporated the MG253 120 mm gun developed by IMI. The upgrade package was first offered to Turkey as an option for its tank modernization program, and later offered for general export. The Turkish government selected a further modified version of the Sabra (the Sabra Mk.II) for its upgrade program, which intended as a stopgap measure, and contract was signed on March 29, 2002, estimated to be worth $688 million USD. The first Sabra Mk.II was delivered for Turkish trials in 2005, and it passed qualifications in May, 2006. 170 were upgraded between 2007 and April, 2009. The upgrades were undertaken by the Turkish Army's 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command, with the upgrade kits supplied by IMI