The Merkava tank is truly a fearsome Israeli main tank – and it has proven time and time again to be essential in protecting Israel from its enemies.
Thanks to its advanced armor and weaponry, the Merkava can withstand heavy fire and inflict devastating damage in return.
Is it really that good? Does the Merkava have superior performance to all other tanks?
The Merkava tank history
The Merkava tank was first conceptualized in the 1970s. At the time, Israel was facing increasing threats from Arab nations that were armed with the latest generation of Soviet tanks, such as the T-72 or T-80.
Israel realized that its Defense Forces needed a new type of tank that could withstand the powerful Soviet-made weapons of its neighboring countries.
So, the Merkava was designed to be a highly mobile and heavily armored vehicle with top-notch technology that could provide superior firepower against those Soviet-built enemy tanks.
The Israeli Merkava at war
The Merkava has been used in several wars by the Israeli Defense Forces – and it has proven to be an invaluable asset. In the 1982 Lebanon War, the Merkava tank was essential in destroying enemy armor vehicles.
This tank was also used extensively in the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, where it once again showed its superiority against enemy tanks. During the 2014 Gaza conflict, once again, the tank played a significant role in protecting Israeli soldiers from Hamas attacks.
This tank has a huge record of destroying Soviet tanks. In the Lebanon War, the Merkava destroyed several T-72 Soviet tanks.
And thanks to the Merkava, Israel has been able to deter many enemy threats and protect Israeli citizens from harm.
Merkava tank features and specifications
- Place of origin: Israel
- Status: In service since 1979–present
- Unit cost: $3.5 million (Merkava IV); $4.5 million (Merkava IV)
- Mass: 65 tons (143,000 pounds)
- Length: 9.04 meters / 29.7 feet
- Width: 3.72 meters / 12.2 feet
- Height: 2.66 meters / 8.7 feet
- Crew: 4
- Operational range: 500 kilometers (310 miles)
- Maximum speed: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Payload capacity: 48 rounds
Additionally, the Merkava is equipped with a 120-mm smoothbore cannon that can fire armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds. It also has a 60-mm mortar that can be used to fire smoke bombs and flares. Even the Israeli Army is testing drones in the Merkava tank.
New @IDF technology…. A quad drone launched from a Israeli Merkava tank 🇮🇱💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/tRuljKeXEr
— Eretz Israel (@EretzIsrael) May 23, 2022
The Merkava tank is also equipped with four machine guns, two of which are mounted on the turret, and the other two are mounted on the hull.
Merkava’s windows are made of bulletproof glass, and the tank is also equipped with an NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) protection system.
It also features the Trophy Active Protection System
The Merkava is equipped with the groundbreaking Trophy Active Protection System, which is a computer-controlled system that uses sensors to detect incoming missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
When a missile or RPG is detected, the Trophy system fires a small explosive charge that detonates the missile or RPG in mid-air before it has a chance to hit the tank.
This system has been incredibly effective, and it has saved the lives of many Israeli soldiers… But it’s not infallible though.
Defeating The Merkava Tank and Trophy APS.https://t.co/rhBT68KMV4 pic.twitter.com/sjY0aSiSq7
— Jason Jones (@DPRKJones) December 23, 2020
The Merkava is one of the most cost-effective main battle tanks today
With over 30 years of service, the Merkava tank combines the best of attack and defense in one tank.
It has become one of the most iconic symbols of the Israeli Defense Forces. It will continue to play a vital role in protecting Israel for many years to come with its massive firepower and outstanding active protection system.
Featured image credit: Merkava Mk 4M by Zachi Evenor. Licensed under CC by 4.0
