Merkava

Merkava
Merkava Mk 4M Windbreaker, equipped with the Trophy active protection system, during Operation Protective Edge 2014.
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1979–present[1]
Used by	See Operators
Wars	1982 Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Gaza War Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Protective Edge Israel–Hamas war
Production history
Designer	Mantak
Manufacturer	Mantak, IDF Ordnance Corps (assembly)
Unit cost	$3.5 million (Merkava IV for delivery to the IDF, FY2003)[2] (c. $5.85 million, FY2023) $10 million (Merkava IV) (2014 price for sales to other countries)[3]
Produced	1979–present
No. built	Mark 1: 250 Mark 2: 580 Mark 3: 780 Mark 4: 360 in service + 300 units being delivered[4]
Specifications
Mass	65 tonnes (143000 pounds)
Length	9.04 m or 29.7 ft (incl. gun barrel) 7.60 m or 24.9 ft (excl. gun barrel)
Width	3.72 m or 12.2 ft (excl. skirts)
Height	2.66 m or 8.7 ft (to turret roof)
Crew	4 (commander, driver, gunner, and loader)
Armor	Classified composite/sloped armour modular design.
Main armament	120 mm (4.7 in) MG251-LR smoothbore gun, capable of firing LAHAT ATGM
Secondary armament	1 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) MG 3 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × Mk 19 grenade launcher 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar 12 × smoke grenades
Engine	MTU 12V883 1119 kW (1501 hp) turbocharged diesel engine (4, 5)
Power/weight	18.8 kW/t
Payload capacity	48 rounds
Transmission	Renk RK 325
Suspension	Helical spring
Ground clearance	0.45 m (1.5 ft)
Fuel capacity	1400 litres
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed	64 km/h (40 mph) on road 55 km/h (34 mph) off road

The Merkava (Hebrew: מֶרְכָּבָה, [mɛʁkaˈva] ^ⓘ, "chariot")^[5] is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps. Current iterations of this tank are considered broadly equivalent to the capabilities of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and the Challenger 2.^[6][7][8] The current iteration of this vehicle also shares the same MTU EuroPowerPack powerplant as a number of other tank platforms.^[9]

Development began in 1970,^[10] and its first generation, the Merkava Mark 1, entered official service in 1979.^[11] Four main variants have been deployed. As of 2023, Merkava Mark 4 Barak^[12] is the latest version. The Merkava was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.

The tank was developed in the Merkava and Armored Combat Vehicles Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and most of its parts are manufactured in Israel. The Merkava was designed to provide maximum protection for its crew, and therefore its front armor was fortified and the engine placed in the front part of the tank, unlike most other tanks.

Design criteria include rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness, and off-road performance. Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located closer to the rear than in most main battle tanks. With the engine in front, this layout is intended to provide additional protection against a frontal attack, so as to absorb some of the force of incoming shells and projectiles,^[13] especially for the personnel in the main hull, such as the driver. It also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity and a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. This allows the tank to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation (with no ammunition, the Merkava can hold up to 4 stretchers, but this is only an emergency measure), a forward command and control station, and an infantry fighting vehicle. The rear entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel.