Military Knowledge: Merkava Main Battle Tank

The Merkava tank is a series of main battle tanks (MBT) made by Israel, which forms the backbone of the armored corps of this regime. The word Merkava means “chariot” and is derived from the “holy chariot” in the Torah. This tank is developed in the “Merkava and Armored Combat Vehicles Division” of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and most of its parts are manufactured in Israel.

The development of Merkava set began in 1970, and it has been produced and put into service in four original versions and several updates. Merkava Mark 4 Barak is the latest version of this tank that entered service from 2023.

Specifications of Merkava Mark 4:
Type: Main Battle Tank
Origin: Israel
Manufacturer: MANTAK
Unveiled: 1999
In service: since 2004
Crew: 4 (tank commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Length: 9.04 meters (including gun barrel), and 7.60 meters (excluding gun barrel)
Width: 3.72 meters
Height: 2.66 meters
Engine: GD883 diesel engine with 1500 horsepower
Fuel capacity: 1400 liters
Operational range: 500 km
Speed: 64 km/h on road, and 55 km/h off road
Mass: 65 tons
Main weapon: MG253 120 mm smoothbore gun
Secondary weapon: 12.7 mm machine gun and 7.62 mm machine gun