Online Encyclopedia
Merkava
Merkava is a series of tanks developed and manufactured by Israel for the Israel Defence Forces.
The Merkava (Chariot) has been designed for crew survival; the power plant is placed at the front of the tank, increasing frontal mass, whilst the crew are able to escape from a disabled Merkava via doors in the rear of the hull.
It is produced at the tank production factory at Tel Hashomer Armoured Corps base.
 Israeli Merkava Mk-III main battle tank |
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| General Characteristics | |
| Length: | 7,6 m |
| Width: | 3,7 m |
| Height: | 2,7 m |
| Weight: | 69 tons |
| Speed: | 60 km/h (road) 55 km/h (off-road) |
| Range: | 500 km |
| Primary armament: | 120 mm smoothbore gun (50 rounds of ammunition) Lahat anti-tank missile (when operational) |
| Secondary armament: | Three 7.62 mm machine guns (two on the turret, one co-axial) One 60 mm internal mortar |
| Power plant: |
1,500 hp (1,119 kW) diesel (Mk 4)
1400 liters fuel capacity |
| Crew: | 4 |
| Contents |
History
Following the Six Day War and the French embargo on Israel, the UK signed a deal with Israel for joint development of a new battle tank—the Chieftain tank. In 1969, following Arab pressure, the British cancelled the deal with Israel and expelled them from the Chieftain tank project. Israel realized that it could not rely on other countries to supply it with weapon systems and considered self-manufacturing a main battle tank—one of the most crucial elements of ground armoured forces. Although the near-disaster of the Yom Kippur War had been resolved, in part, with an American delivery of reserve armour, the war brought home the fact that the small nation of Israel could not afford excessive casualties; the Merkava was thus to be designed for crew survival.
The Israeli government decided in 1970 that it needed an indigenous tank-building capacity. General Israel Tal led a development team which took into consideration Israel's unique battlefield characteristics and lessons learned from previous wars.
Merkava Mk 1
The Merkava was first introduced into service in April 1979. It was developed for the rough terrain of the northern region of Israel and the Golan Heights. It was equipped with a 105 mm gun and featured a power plant in the front and a rear door. It took part in Operation Peace for Galilee in 1982.
Merkava Mk 2
The Merkava Mk 2 was first introduced into service in 1983. It introduced several improvements focusing on urban warfare and crew survivability, following Israel's incursion into Lebanon in 1982 and the battles in Beirut.
Merkava Mk 3
Following information gained in Israel's incursion into Lebanon in 1982, the Merkava Mk 3 was introduced in 1990. The Mark 3 introduced a 1200 horsepower (895 kW) engine, a new suspension and transmission system, and a new 120 mm smooth-bore gun.
A 1995 version, the Mk 3B (also known as Merkava Baz), had an improved fire-control system and a built-in NBC protection and air conditioning system. Also, a modular armor package was added (called "Kasag"), making the Merkava 3 Baza Kasag one of the most protected tanks in the world.
Merkava Mk 4
The Merkava Mk 4 is the latest generation in Israel's Merkava main battle tanks series. It offers extra protection to the crew with more powerful and accurate fire systems.
The Merkava has improved armor on the front and sides of the tank, and even the top of the turret, making it one of the best protected tanks in the world. The armor is modular so when the tank is hit, only the damaged armor plates need replacement. The Mk 4 also has additional crew survivability features: Each tank component is designed to act as back-up armor if the main armor is pentrated. The Mk 4 has an integrated air conditioning and NBC protection system. Ammunition is stored in fire-proof canisters.
The Merkava has an advance fire system with a new 120mm smoothbore cannon and an advanced targetting system, giving the tank the capacity to engage and shoot down anti-tank helicopters, such as the French SA342L Gazelle anti-tank helicopters and Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters of the Syrian Air Force.
It also has 0.5 in (12.7 mm) coaxial machine gun (MAG Rafael) which enables the tank crew to shoot soft targets from the turret without getting out. A new generation of internal 60 mm mortar is installed. The internal 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine gun and the rear door (which exists in all generation of the Merkava) have proven to be useful in urban warfare.
The Merkava has improved mobility, enabling the tank to move more easily in the Golan Heights, where terrain can limit tank movements. The new Caterpillar tracks system (abbreviated as "Mazkom" (מזקו"ם) in Hebrew: מערחת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים - "Tracks, springs and wheels system") was improved to endure harsh ground conditions and minimize track-spreading incidents. A video system gives the driver 360 degree visibility around the tank at all times.
Yet another improvement is the development of a Battle Management System (צי"ד) designed by Elbit Systems http://www.elbitsystems.com/ , which uses digital information (gathered by other forces such as other tanks, UAVs and the centeral command) to update planning, navigation, and briefing of crews. The Battle Management System can record data gained during the mission and transmit it live to other forces.
Special Merkava Variants
Following the al-Aqsa Intifada, the Israeli Defence Forces have modified some of its Merkava tanks to satisfy the needs of urban warfare. This adaptation can be done by field engineers and does not harm the tank's combat performance.
Merkava 3 LIC
This is a Merkava 3 Baz tank fitted for urban warfare. The LIC designation stands for low intensity conflicts. The LIC model is equipped with internal co-axial M2 Browning 0.5 machinegun, enabling the tank crew to use heavier firepower than a medium caliber machinegine but lighter than cannon shells, without being exposed to enemy's fire. The tank has also extra protection against grenades and netting that protects optics and ventilators. Marking poles and a rear camera were installed to allow better navigation in narrow streets.
Merkava Ambulance
Some of the Merkava tanks were added with ambulance capablities. The rear area of the tank was converted for carrying injured soldiers and was added with stretchers and life support systems.
The main advantage of the "tankbulance" is heavy protection and a rear door, enabling the evacuation of wounded soldiers under heavy fire, with the ability of the tank crew to return fire with machineguns or the cannon.
Merkava-based armored fighting vehicles
Armored fighting vehicles built on the basis of a Merkava tank chassis.
Merkava Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
The Merkava ARV, called Nammer is an armored recovery vehicle based on a Merkava chassis. It is capable of rescuing stuck tanks and carries a back-up power plant for the tank.
Merkava based APC/IFV
Israel developed a heavy APC/IFV based on Merkava tank chassis called Nemmera ("female tiger" in Hebrew, but also an acronym based on "nagmash" ("carrier") and "Merkava"), but only produced a platoon's worth, due to cost and the need for Merkava hulls for the tank versions. 1 Following Operation Rainbow and the vulnerablity of M-113 and Stryker APCs, the IDF decided to push foward the Nemmera program.
General Remarks
Like any other tank, the Merkava is vulnerable to command-detonated landmines. Two Merkavas have been damaged and immobilized in the Gaza Strip by Palestinians. The tanks were later repaired and returned to service.
Overall, the Merkava project is considered a great success, both in its military aspects and economical aspects.
See Also
References
- Page 7, Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004. Marsh Gelbart and Tony Bryan (illustrator). Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1841765791.
External links
- IDF overview of Merkava's history and variants http://www.idf.il/newsite/english/0817-1.stm (including pictures of Merkavas Mk 1, 2 and 3)
- Defense-Update: Merkava Mk4 Detailed http://www.defense-update.com/directory/merkava4.htm (Details about the Merkava Mk 4 program)
- Merkava Mk 1,2,3 http://www.voodoo.cz/merkava/
- Army Technology: Merkava Mk3 Baz http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava/index.html (tank features and pictures from different angles)
- Defense-Update: Merkava Mk3 Baz modified for Low Intensity Combat http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/merkava-lic.htm
- Army Technology: Merkava Mk4 http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava4/index.html (tank features and pictures from different angles)
- Israeli-Weapons.com Merkava Page http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/merkava/Merkava.html (Considerable tank info and pictures)