Merkava
Sign in to saveThe Merkava (, , "chariot") is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which are the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps. Current iterations of this tank are considered broadly equivalent to the capabilities of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and the Challenger 2. The current Merkava uses the same MTU EuroPowerPack powerplant as a number of other tanks.
AI overview
The Merkava is a main battle tank used by Israel's military that serves as the foundation of its armored forces. It is considered technologically comparable to other leading modern tanks like the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2, and uses the same engine found in several other advanced tanks worldwide.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Weapon.name
- Merkava
- Weapon.image
- Merkava-Mk4m-whiteback01.jpg
- Weapon.image_size
- 300
- Weapon.caption
- Merkava Mk 4M Windbreaker, equipped with the Trophy active protection system, during Operation Protective Edge 2014.
- Weapon.is_vehicle
- yes
- Weapon.type
- Main battle tank
- Weapon.origin
- Israel
- Weapon.service
- 1979–present
- Weapon.used_by
- See Operators
- Weapon.designer
- Mantak
- Weapon.manufacturer
- Mantak, IDF Ordnance Corps (assembly)
- Weapon.production_date
- 1979–present
Article
41 sectionsContents
- Development
- Primary contractors
- General characteristics
- Firepower
- Mobility
- Variants
- Merkava Mark I
- Merkava Mark II
- Merkava Mark 3
- BAZ System
- Dor-Dalet
- Merkava Mark 4
- Mark 4 Meil Ru'ach (Mk 4M) Windbreaker
- Mark 4 Meil Ru'ach 400 (Mk. 4M 400) Windbreaker
- Merkava 4 Barak
- Iron Vision helmet-mounted display system
- Specifications of models
- Combat history
- 1982 Lebanon War
- Second Intifada
- 2006 Lebanon War
- Operation Cast Lead
- Gaza border areas
- Operation Protective Edge 2014
- 2023 Israel-Hamas War
- 2024 Israel–Hezbollah war
- Derivatives
- Merkava LIC
- Merkava ''Tankbulance''
- Merkava IFV ''Namer''
- Merkava ARV ''Nemmera''
- Merkava Howitzer ''Sholef''
- Successor (Carmel)
- Export
- Operators
- Current operators
- Potential operators
- References
- Bibliography
- Further reading
- External links
The Merkava (, , "chariot") is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) which are the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps. Current iterations of this tank are considered broadly equivalent to the capabilities of the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2 and the Challenger 2. The current Merkava uses the same MTU EuroPowerPack powerplant as a number of other tanks.
Development began in 1970, and its first generation, the Merkava Mark 1, entered official service in 1979. Four main variants have been deployed. As of 2023, Merkava Mark 4 Barak is the latest version. The Merkava was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.