Merkava main battle tank

Posted by: Andrei Dcs

Merkava is an Israeli main battle tank (MBT) in service with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

Merkava MBT was designed by MANTAK and manufactured by the same MANTAK along with IDF Ordnance Corps.

The production started in 1979, and in the same year, the Merkava entered service with the IDF.

A total of 1,970 Merkava tanks have been produced so far with another 300 on order.

Of the total 1,970 units, 250 are Merkava Mark I, 580 are Merkava Mark II, 780 are Merkava Mark III, and 360 are Merkava Mark IV, the latest version.

An additional 300 Merkava Mark IV MBTs are ordered by the IDF and planned for delivery.

A Merkava Mark IV tank delivered to the IDF has a cost per unit of $3.5 million while the 2014 price per unit for Merkava Mk IV tanks intended for export market was $4.5 million.

There are four variants of the Merkava main battle tank: Merkava Mark I (Mk I), Merkava Mark II (Mk II), Merkava Mark III (Mk III), and Merkava Mark IV (Mk IV).

With a mass of 65 tonnes (143,000 pounds), Merkava is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in the world.

The hull of the Merkava has a length of 7.60 m (24.9 ft), while the overall length including the gun barrel reaches 9.04 m (29.7 ft).

The width excluding the lateral skirts is 3.72 m (12.2 ft).

Merkava tank has a height to turret roof of 2.66 m (8.7 ft) and a ground clearance of 0.45 m (1.5 ft).

The crew of the Merkava MBT consists of 4 persons including the commander, the driver, the gunner and the loader. Additionally, it can accommodate a maximum of six (6) passengers).

Merkava uses a classified composite armour, and it can be equiped with the advanced israeli Trophy active protection system (APS).

Additionally, for hiding from enemy fire, Merkava is equipped with 12 smoke grenades.

Merkava has a 120 mm (4.7 in) MG253 smoothbore gun capable of firing LAHAT ATGM.

As secondary armament, it is fitted with one 12.7 mm (0.50 in) heavy machine gun, one 7.62 mm (0.300 in) machine gun, one Mk 19 grenade launcher, and a 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar.

The Merkava tank is powered by a 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) turbocharged diesel engine coupled to a Renk RK 325 transmission.

Unlike the majority of tanks where the engine is placed in the rear, the engine of the Merkava main battle tank is placed in the front of the tank. This improves the overall frontal protection of the tank.

Merkava has a power-to-weight ratio of 23 hp/tonne.

With a fuel capacity of 1,400 litres, Merkava has an operational range of 500 km (310 mi).

Using a helical spring suspension, the Israeli MBT is able to reach a maximum speed of 64 km/h (40 mph) on-road and 55 km/h (34 mph) off-road.