Merkava

The Merkava, meaning "chariot," is a family of main battle tanks that form the core of the Israel Defense Forces' Armored Corps. Its capabilities are broadly comparable to those of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Challenger 2. The latest version, as of 2023, is the Merkava Mark 4 Barak. The tank shares its MTU EuroPowerPack engine with several other modern tanks.

Development began in 1970, and the first generation, the Merkava Mark 1, entered service in 1979. The tank saw its first major use during the 1982 Lebanon War. The name came from the IDF's original development program. The Merkava was created by the Merkava and Armored Combat Vehicles Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, with over 90% of its components manufactured locally.

The design prioritizes crew protection. Unlike most tanks, the engine is mounted in the front, and the turret is positioned closer to the rear, similar to self-propelled howitzers. This layout helps absorb the force of frontal attacks, shielding the crew, particularly the driver. It also frees up space in the rear for extra storage and a rear entrance with clamshell-style doors that provide overhead cover during loading. This rear access allows the tank to serve in emergency roles, such as a medical evacuation platform (carrying up to four stretchers when unloaded), a command post, or an infantry fighting vehicle. Other design goals include quick battlefield repairs, survivability, cost-effectiveness, and off-road performance.

The project began after Israel collaborated on design aspects for the British Chieftain tank in the late 1960s, with plans to buy and produce it domestically. Two prototypes were delivered for a four-year trial, but the sale was blocked because the tanks were already being supplied to Arab countries. This led Israel to start its own development program. After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, which saw heavy Israeli armor losses, Israel Tal revived plans for an indigenous tank. By 1974, designs were finished and prototypes built. Following trials, the Tel HaShomer ordnance depot was retooled for full production. The tank was first publicly announced in the *International Defense Review* periodical, and the first official images appeared in the *Armed Forces Journal* on May 4, 1977. The IDF officially adopted it in December 1979.

Israel Military Industries (IMI) leads system integration, while the Israeli Ordnance Corps handles final assembly. Many Israeli defense firms contribute: IMI makes the 105 mm and 120 mm main guns and ammunition; TGL SP Industries produces road wheels; Urdan Industries assembles the hull, drive- and powertrains, and turret; Soltam manufactures the 60 mm internal mortar; Elta designs electronic sensors and infrared optics; Elbit provides the ballistics computer, fire-control system, and electric turret and gun control; Tadiran supplies cabin air conditioning, intercom, and radio equipment; El-Op, Elisra, and Astronautics handle optics and laser warning systems; Rafael builds the Overhead Weapon Station and Trophy active protection system; L-3 Communication Combat Propulsion Systems produces licensed copies of the German MTU engine and RENK transmission; Motorola supplies communication encryption; DuPont provides Nomex and ballistic materials used by Hagor; Russia Military Industries helped design anti-mine rollers and a dozer blade, now built by Urdan; FN Herstal supplies 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns; Caterpillar assisted with the track system; and Bental Industries produced brushless motors for the Mark 4 turret and gun control.

For firepower, the Merkava Mark 1 and 2 use a 105 mm IMI M64 gun. The Mark 3, Mark 3 Dor Dalet BAZ kassag, and Mark 4 are armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun that can fire most Western 120 mm ammunition, including the LAHAT anti-tank guided missile. All models have two roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine guns for the commander and loader, plus a coaxial mount. A 60 mm mortar fires smoke rounds or suppresses infantry anti-tank teams. Every Merkava also has a remote-controlled M2 Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun.