The Elbit enhancement contract will surely make upcoming Merkava iterations even more lethal.
Israeli tank manufacturer Elbit Systems will upgrade the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Merkava tanks as part of a $210 million contract. “Elbit Systems is proud to continue serving as a key partner of the Israel Defense Ministry and the IDF in advancing their technological capabilities,” said president and CEO of Elbit Systems, Col. Bezhalel Machlis, in a statement. The Merkava series of main battle tanks (MBT) is currently in its fourth iteration.
While a ceasefire between Israel and the Gaza-based terror group Hamas remains in place, tank warfare played a leading role in the two-year-long conflict, emphasizing the IDF’s need for top-tier MBT capabilities. The contract between Elbit and the IDF would cover tank enhancements over a six-year period. According to the manufacturer, the objective of the arrangement is an “extensive renewal of the electronic assemblies of the tanks to extend their operational service life, as well as the upgrade and enhancement of multiple onboard systems.”
About the Merkava Tank:
- Year Introduced: 1979
- Number Built: Mark 1: 250, Mark 2: 580, Mark 3: 780, Mark 4: 360 in service + 300 units being delivered
- Length: 9.04 m or 29.7 ft (incl. gun barrel), 7.60 m or 24.9 ft (excl. gun barrel)
- Total weight, battle ready: 65 tonnes (143,000 pounds)
- Suspensions: Helical spring
- Engine: MTU 12V883 1119 kW (1501 hp) turbocharged diesel engine (4,5)
- Armament: Payload capacity of 48 rounds
- Top Speed: 64 km/h (40 mph) on road, 55 km/h (34 mph) off road
- Range: 500 km (310 mi)
- Crew: Four (commander, driver, gunner, and loader)
The Merkava series of MBTs has served Israel’s armored corps for nearly half a century. This tried and trusted family of tanks has seen combat in nearly one dozen wars or conflicts with Israeli involvement over the years. When the Jewish state was first founded, it sought to procure and domestically produce the United Kingdom’s Chieftain tank platform. However, the deal fell through, forcing Israel to look inward to secure its own defensive requirements. The Merkava was introduced to prioritize survivability, fully decked out in its unique Chobham armor. The Israeli tank also sports a unique layout, featuring the turret closer to the rear, unlike many of its foreign counterparts.
The first two Merkava 1 and 2 variants were constructed to feature the 105mm IMI M64 gun (a license-built iteration of the M68). As new Merkava iterations have been introduced over the years, the MBT’s ordnance and protection measures have only increased. Perhaps the most important innovation incorporated into newer Merkava models is the Trophy Active Protection System. This incredible countermeasure functions as an operational active protection system that can rapidly detect, classify, and engage incoming projectiles. In addition to the Merkava MBT, this protective measure can be incorporated into both wheeled and tracked armored fighting vehicles, 8x8s, and other medium-weight platforms.
While the Merkava is widely considered to be a top-tier platform, the IDF is always seeking to upgrade its capabilities in order to better contend with nearby threats. The Elbit enhancement contract will surely make upcoming Merkava iterations even more lethal.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, national security writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues. Carlin has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: Shutterstock.
