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Merkava Tank

Until 1980, the Israeli ground forces were armed with tanks developed and manufactured in other countries. Some of these vehicles, for example the American M48 and the British "Centurion", have been modernized to improve their combat characteristics and to better adapt them to specific geographic conditions and the peculiarities of warfare in this theater of operations. However, these tanks did not sufficiently satisfy the requirements of the Israeli military command, and therefore, in the early 70s, the Israeli government approved a program for the national development of the Merkava (Chariot).

Many Israeli enterprises participated in the design and manufacture of this machine. In addition, foreign specialists and firms were involved. Already at the beginning of the work it became clear that for the production of Merkava tanks, the Israeli industry would not be able to provide them with cast and rolled armor plates and other parts, as well as an engine, transmission and many more structural elements and equipment. As reported in the foreign press, much assistance in the development and production of the tank was provided by the United States.

Nearly nine years following the establishment of the Tank and APC Administration, Israel issued its first tank, the Merkava Mark I. Each new generation of the Merkava is more sophisticated and better protected, incorporating lessons learned and adapting to changing battlefields and combat scenarios. Today, the most updated Merkava model- Merkava Mark IV- is considered one of the most advanced tanks in the world.

The Tank and APC Administration bears the overall responsibility for the design, development and production of Israel's tanks as well as the establishment and expansion of related industries. The program was first led by two-time winner of Israel's Security Prize, Maj. Gen. Israel Tal, also considered the "father of the Merkava".

The layout of the Merkava is unconventional, with the turret and crew compartments to the rear of the vehicle and the engine up front. This was done to improve crew survival in the case of an armor-penetrating hit on front quarter. The vehicle has a hatch on the center deck forward of the turret for the driver, and hatches in the turret for the commander and loader. The gunner uses either one of these hatches. There is another clamshell hatch on the rear for crew escape or access under fire. The turret is of low cross section with a large basket at the rear for crew gear. The Merkava can carry 6 passengers, one for each 12 rounds of main gun ammunition removed.

Normally, the passenger space is filled with main gun ammunition, of which the Merkava carries a large supply.

The Israeli development team led by General Israel Tal, integrated state-of-the-art technology with lessons of war in the concept and the design of the Merkava and all its future generations:

• The first Merkava tanks, Merkava Mk.1, were fielded in April 1979. Those tanks took part in actual operations during the Peace for Galilee War and proved themselves to be more effective than all other tanks in the theatre.
• The second generation, Merkava Mk. 2, was first delivered in 1984. Production of this version began shortly after the adoption of the Merkava in 1983, and continued until 1989. It is basically the Merkava Mk 1 with extra armor and an improved fire control system. In addition, the transmission has been improved leading to an increase in range. The 60mm mortar can be loaded and fired from within the turret without exposing the crew to enemy fire.
• The Third generation, Merkava Mk.3, was introduced in 1990 and became the backbone of the Israeli Armor Corps. It features a larger gun, a threat warning system, and more advanced modular armor that can be changed in the field. A more powerful engine has been put in the Merkava Mk 3, and air conditioning has been added. Up to 6 passengers may be carried by removing 9 main gun rounds per passenger. An advanced version of Merkava Mk. 3, with an improved Fire-Control System was fielded in 1995.
• As of 2002, the next generation, Merkava Mk. 4, was undergoing field tests. In September 2007 the Israeli government announced a new defense plan, Teffen 2012, that forsaw adding several dozen Merkava IV main battle tanks. The renewed procurement of Merkava IV tanks stemmed from Israel’s conclusion that the Second Lebanon War suggested that, properly deployed, the tank can provide its crew with better protection than in the past. The conclusion is that the Israel Defense Forces still required an annual supply of dozens of advanced tanks in order to replace the older, more vulnerable versions that are still in service.
• The Merkava Mark V was introduced in 2023 and marked a significant upgrade from previous models. The Merkava Mark V is a fifth-generation main battle tank developed by the Israeli Defense Ministry and Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The tank is nicknamed "Barak", which means "Lightning" in Hebrew. The first tanks were delivered to the 52nd “The Breachers” Battalion of the 401st “Iron Tracks” Brigade.

The tank became operative in 1979, and was first employed in the 1982 Operation "Peace for Galilee". The Mark I model was succeeded by the Mark II in 1983, which was replaced by the Mark III in 1990.

Representatives of the military command of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not skimp on flattering words about the "Merkava" Mk.4, believing that "it contains all the newest and best", and that in its qualities the tank is much superior to previous models. This applied to both his security and the power of the weapons.

Martin van Creveld, Israeli military theorist and historian wrote “The Israeli army’s tendency to always prioritize technological solutions at the expense of tactical innovation has led to a relative decline in its military performance against the Arabs, a decline that could only be hidden by the huge numbers of Israeli forces used.”