The Merkava is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The tank began development in 1973 and entered official service in 1979. Four main versions of the tank have been deployed. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. Design criteria include rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance.
It was reportedly decided shortly before the beginning of the 2006 Lebanon War that the Merkava line would be discontinued within four years. However, on August 16, 2013, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon announced the decision to resume production of the Merkava main battle tank for the IDF Armored Corps.
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The most powerful, armored, and advanced tank in the world. Merkava M4 (Newest edition) – It’s armor is capable of withstanding direct hits 360 degrees around from almost all TOW missiles including old soviet ones and newer Russian/Chinese/Iranian ones. A Merkava took 200 RPG rounds in 2014 and didn’t even break a sweat :-] Meanwhile a potato chip launcher can destroy those rusty T-90s and older T-72s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMayU-dk_0w
What did you say? ahaha
IDF will soon be using a protection system for their tank called “Jacob’s Nose”. It works by inhaling all rockets fired at it! Highly effective nasal defense weapon
https://www.google.com/search?q=merkava+hits&rlz=1C1GCEV_en&sxsrf=ACYBGNTCY1SvCLOM_6UD7R6ih1VPx313ZA:1573648369774&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHutOAmeflAhXLbVAKHSEDASMQ_AUIEigB&biw=2560&bih=1297#imgrc=45DZ8HDsYfgqdM
https://www.quora.com/Why-can-the-Merkava-IV-tank-be-destroyed-by-cheap-kornet-missiles
Let them bark Jacob, I fought alongside the tank crew members and the Merkava MBT in the last 2 operations, man it’s such a beautiful sight to see a shell fired from that tank straight into the terrorists. They will have alot of work soon though, as it seems right now the IDF is amassing forces near the Gaza strip to enter.
My God this is so cringe. actually the highest number of RPG any tank took without being destroyed was a challenger 2 in Iraq (40-50). And an M1 abrams (30). And they were damaged. 200 is just outrageously BS. Nice try though Rocket Nose :)
FSA jihadis have already twice tried destroying T-90 in Syria with US made TOW ATGM. They failed both times, T-90 was lightly damaged first time and second time Shtora APS destroyed the missile before it could reach. Much better performance than those 30 toasted merkavas in Lebanon :)
On paper yes, a paper tiger.
Israel needs Tanks to fight kids throwing stones!!!
Southfront professionalism.. That “info” graphic is a merkava 2.