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Merkava

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For the religious/mystical connotations of the word, see Merkabah.
Merkava
Merkava
Israeli Merkava Mk-III LIC main battle tank
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originIsrael
Specifications
Mass63 tonnes (I and II)
65 tonnes (III and IV)
Length7.6 m (gun forward=9.04 m)
Width3.72 m (without skirts)
Height2.66 m (turret roof)
Crew4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader)
Armorlaminated steel/nickel composite + classified modular
Main
armament
1 x 105 mm M68 cannon + 62 rounds (I and II)
1 x 120 mm smoothbore gun + 46 rounds (III and IV)
LAHAT anti-tank missile
Secondary
armament
1 x 7.62 mm coaxial MG (I-III) and/or 1 x 12.7 mm coaxial (IV)
2 x 7.62 mm MG
1 x 60 mm internal mortar
Enginediesel
900 hp (I, II)
1,200 hp (III)
1,500 hp (IV)
Power/weight14 hp/tonne (I,II)
18 hp/tonne (III)
23 hp/tonne (IV)
Suspensionhelical spring
Operational
range
500 km
Maximum speed Road: 65 km/h;

Merkava (Hebrew: מרכבהⓘ, "chariot") is a series of main battle tanks developed and manufactured by Israel Military Industries for the Israel Defense Forces.

The Merkava has been designed for crew survival and battle perseverance and a quick revival in case of bad damage. The heavily shielded engine is placed at the front of the tank, increasing frontal mass, while the crew are able to escape from a disabled Merkava via doors in the rear of the hull.

Many are produced or maintained at the tank factory at Tel HaShomer Armoured Corps base, as most of the components are manufactured by Israeli defence industries such as the IMI, Elbit, and Soltam.

Being heavily armoured and highly mobile, the Merkava has a unique plating system where the armour plates lock in a grid tightly and can also be disassembled easily for repairing or replacing.

History

The history of the Merkava (Chariot) series of main battle tanks dates back to the 1960's. Israel found out that to defend itself it could just about build any weapon system needed by a country by paying for the knowhow, except... when it came to MBT (Main Battle Tanks). In 1966 Israel was approached by Britain to help jointly develop and conduct field trials for a next generation MBT called the Chieftain. Israel agreed and two examples arrived in January 1967 with a team of British armour and military experts. The new proto-types were put through exhaustive desert condition testing. A year later in 1968 the first two examples were sent back to England and another two improved Chieftains arrived to continue the testing. Many valuable lessons were learned from the 1967 Mid East conflict, especially the need for more mobility and the reliance on tank warfare. However, politics intervened in 1969 and England withdrew from the joint testing program due in part to Arab pressure and bias within the Foreign Ministry.

Israel then realized that it could not rely on other nations to help her produce a main battle tank, it would have to be done by her own manufacturing base. General Israel Tal began considering a completely Israeli-made and Israeli-designed MBT. By the end of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Israeli High Command realized that they did not have the human resources to withstand a war of attrition with any Arab nation. With that conclusion, the Israeli government decided to initiate projects related to designing the Merkava and placing crew-safety as a top priority.

With the tank's design done and a factory adapted, the Merkava was formally acknowledged and accepted by the Israeli government on May 13, 1977.

Merkava Mk.1

Merkava I from the rear on display at Latrun. Note the door.

This was the first model of Merkava introduced into general service. It debuted in 1979, developed exclusively for the rough terrain of northern Israel and the Golan Heights. It began with a 105 mm rifled gun M68, and a front and rear set of doors. With its combat debut in the 1982 Lebanon War, many glaring problems were exposed: Most importantly, it showed a very problematic braking system.

Merkava Mk.2

Merkava II.

The Mark 2 was first introduced into general service in 1983 after the previous year's incursion into Lebanon. It included many new upgrades and improvements, with a firm focus on urban warfare. Further improvements in crew survivability and the introduction of an integral 60 mm mortar followed the war in Lebanon and the battles in Beirut.

Merkava Mk.3

Merkava III.

Following new intelligence gained during Israel's 1982 campaign into Lebanon, the Merkava Mk. 3 was introduced in 1990. Among the many modifications were some major changes to the platform:

  • A new 120 mm smooth-bore main gun (designated MG-251), and
  • A modular armor system allowing quick replacement of damaged armor (designated Kasag).

The modular armor is designed for rapid replacement and repair in the battlefield and for quick upgrading as new designs become available.

BAZ

Debuting in 1996, the Mk. 3B Baz was designed with many improved and additional systems including:

Dor-Dalet

The latest generation of the Mk. 3 class is the Dor-Dalet. The most significant difference between the two versions is the installation of the Kasag modular armouring system. Other differences include minor upgrades such as:

  • Upgraded and strengthened tracks
  • Upgraded machine gun design.

The newer model also keeps many of the previous modifications, such as air conditioning and NBC protection. Prospective upgrades planned for this model include a battlefield-management system (similar to the IVIS system installed in the American M-1 Abrams main battle tank). The system's deployment is crucial to integrating individual tanks and allowing a central command post to follow the course of battle at an individual tank's level.

Merkava Mk.4

Merkava Mk 4 in Israeli Independence Day exhibition

The Mark IV is the latest generation in the Merkava-series of tanks, and has been in production since 1999 when in October 1999 it was first officially announced in the military publication BaMahane (In The Camp). It was then published November & December 1999 in hundreds of world sources, such as the foremost US publication Aviation Weekly, that several (6) examples of the Merkava Mark IV prototypes have completed more than ten thousand kilometer field trials and that an initial order of 400 US/German 1500 hsp powerpack systems have been placed on order with General Dynamics Land Systems. It offers additional crew protection as well as a more powerful and accurate fire-control system[citation needed]. Optimized for urban combat, the Mk. 4 has been given improved armour on all sides and on both the top and even beneath the tank, not just the front like most conventional tanks in the world today. The modular armour system introduced in the Mk. 3 series is still present as well as the NBC measures of the previous generation. A major upgrade to the series was the implementation of 'individual' fire-proof ammunition storage canisters to reduce the chance of rounds 'cooking-off' when the tank comparment is compromized such as in a fire.

Upgraded Fire Control

The new El Op Knight Mk. 3 fire-control system enables the Mark IV to operate as an anti-helicopter platform and is capable of detecting and taking down armored attack helicopters such as the French Gazelle and the ubiquitous Russian Hind (both used by Arab nations in Israel's periphery). The tank has a smooth bore 120 mm main gun which can fire the new I.M.I. Lahat guided tank round like a missile, .50 caliber coaxial machine gun and an improved 60 mm mortar that has increase range from previous versions. One external machine guns is now fitted for rear coverage firing through the rear clam shell door which have proven very useful in urban LIC (Low Intensity Conflict) environments such as Lebanon.

Upgraded tracks

The Mark 4 has been designed with an Israeli design concept of improved caterpillar tracks system. It has been named "Mazkom" by troops, with an official designation of "TSAWS," which stands for tracks, springs, and wheels system (Hebrew: מערכת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים). The new system is designed to endure the harsh ground conditions of Israel and minimize incidents of track-shedding.

B.M.S. Information Systems

A new system has been completely designed, constructed, and tested using Israeli sources. Named "the Battle Management System" (Hebrew: צי"ד), it was designed by Elbit Systems and allows for a centralized distribution of battlefield data. It collects data from tracked units and UAVs deployed in theater and allows this data to be distributed by command posts instantaneously to all other tank units in a given theater.

Other upgrades

In July 2006 a second Lebanon war was fought against a terrorist organization Hezbollah which purposely imbedded itself among the indigous Lebanese population. The Merkava tank being also a MICV (Mechanized Infantry Carrier Vehicle) with a capacity of 3 litter casualty patients or a 4 man forward command post or up to 10 fully equipped troops (predicated on amount of 120 mm amunition being carried); all under tank armor on the battlefield can deal with this new threat. If deployed correctly and by experienced tank crews trained in asymmetrical warfare, will be the way this new type of combat warfare can be fought and won. One important aspect overlooked was the original Mark IV was designed and programed to have an APS (Active Protection System) called 'TROPHY' which was under development by Rafael industries Israel since the early 1990's. But due to budget restrictions in 1999 and the need for an individual airconditioning uniform, it was dropped until funding could be found. The 2006 conflict resurrected this project and the latest version Merkava Mark IV BAZ with improved defenses, a new I.M.I. 120mm 'Kalanit' round, El Op Next Generation FCS (Fire Control aiming System), LIC features: remote control 50 caliber turret weapons station and the new Trophy system on board; is now in production at Tel Ha-shomer (Sarafand).

  • A video system has been installed in the commander's position which allows for a 360 degree viewing area available to the tank commander.
  • The main powerplant has been upgraded to 1500 horsepower and allows the tank to accelerate to burst speeds of over 60 km/h.

Merkava variants

Following the al-Aqsa Intifada, the Israeli Defence Forces modified some of their Merkavas to satisfy the needs of urban warfare. This adaptation can be done by field engineers and should not harm the tank's combat performance.

Merkava Mk.3 LIC

This is the main class of Merkava tanks designed for urban warfare. The LIC designation stands for "low intensity conflict", underlining its emphasis on counter-insurgency and street-to-street fighting.

It is equipped with an internal .50 caliber coaxial machine gun, enabling the crew to lay down fairly heavy cover fire without the use of the bulkier, heavier, anti-tank main gun. It also provides much higher protection, because it is fired from inside the crew cabin.

The most sensitive areas of a tank, its optics, exhaust ports, and ventilators, are protected by high-strength netting, which prevents a direct impact from the ubiquitous RPG.

Pole-markers and a rear camera have also been installed to improve navigation and maneuverability in an urban environment

Merkava Ambulance

Some of the Merkavas were fitted with ambulance capabilities. The rear area of the tank was converted for carrying injured personnel and has had stretchers and life support systems added.

Because the "tankbulance" is an armed vehicle of war, it is not protected by the Geneva Conventions as a traditional ambulance, and is therefore an open target - regardless of any personnel it may be carrying, wounded or otherwise.

It is this armament that allows it to be a quite formidable ambulance. There may be a situation where an unarmed, unarmored ambulance may still come under fire while treating and transporting wounded, regardless of the ambulance's status with the Geneva Conventions. An armed ambulance with the armour to protect the wounded it is collecting can be invaluable in certain tactical situations.

Merkava Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)

The Merkava ARV, named: Nam'mer (Hebrew: Tiger) is an armoured recovery vehicle based on a Merkava chassis. It is capable of towing disabled tanks and carries a back-up power plant.

Merkava based APC/IFV

Israel developed a heavy-duty APC/IFV based on the Merkava chassis called Nemmera (Hebrew for tigress).

Only a handful were produced, due to the cost of the vehicle, and the priority placed on fully-functional Merkava main battle tanks.[1] yet following Operation Rainbow and the vulnerability of M-113, re-opened the Nemmera program.

On February 15, Ma'ariv reported that a running prototype was fielded by the Givati Brigade and is equipped with a heavy machine gun, which is controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. It was also decided to rename the vehicle from Nemmera to Nammer ("Tiger"). [citation needed]

Merkava based self-propelled artillery

Sholef in Beyt ha-Totchan, Israel.

Two prototypes of Sholef (Slammer) 155 mm self-propelled howitzer were built by Soltam in 1984–1986. The 45-ton vehicle had a long 52-calibre gun barrel giving a range of 40+ km and was capable of direct fire on the move. It never entered production. [1]

General remarks

Like any other tank, the Merkava is vulnerable to remotely operated land mines. During the Al-Aqsa Intifada, three Merkava tanks were destroyed by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, on February 14, 2002; March 14, 2002; and February 16, 2003. A total of ten Israeli soldiers, who were inside the tanks, were killed in these incidents. A number of Merkavas were also damaged, such as on March 19, 2004, in which a tank overturned after being hit by a land mine, injuring two soldiers.

Israeli sources claim that during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict about 50 Merkavas were hit and damaged, with 30 crew members killed and more than 100 injured, including two battalion commanders [2]. In total about 13% of the tank force used in Lebanon was hit. Merkava and armoured corps performance has raised significant questioning in Israel and worldwide since the Merkava is thought to have been one of the most heavily armored tanks. Reportedly, the penetrations were achieved primarily by the usage of modern Russian-made anti-tank missiles.[3][4] In addition to missiles, improvised explosive devices proved to be a deadly threat.

As of 2005, some 5,000 workers are directly employed in Merkava production, with another 5,000 employed indirectly, in 220 Israeli firms. In 2005, exports of Merkava-related sub-systems amounted to US $200 million (the tank itself was not exported). The Israel Manufacturers Association expects that by 2007 the number of Merkava production employees will increase by 2,000 and exports will amount to US $400 million.

Trivia

The Merkava is reputed to have a water chiller to provide tank crews with their required intake of 1 liter of water per hour in the IDF.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Page 7, Gelbart, Marsh, and Tony Bryan (illustrator). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-84176-579-1.
  2. ^ Yedioth:Why did Armoured Corps fail in Lebanon?
  3. ^ "Tough lessons for Israeli armour". BBC News Online. 2006-08-15.
  4. ^ "Missiles neutralizing Israeli tanks"

References

  • Gelbart, Marsh, and Tony Bryan (illustrator). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-84176-579-1.
  • Katz, Sam, and Peter Sarson (illustrator). Merkava Main Battle Tank MKs I, II & III. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85532-643-4.
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