The Merkava (Hebrew: מֶרְכָּבָה, [mɛʁkaˈva] ⓘ, " chariot ") [ 5 ] is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the backbone of the IDF's Armored Corps.

The Merkava Mark I wanted by Gen. Israel Tal (1924-2010) was the first domestic IDF Main Battle Tank, inspired by the best observed features and specific battlefield requirements

The Merkava Mk. 1 performs excellently in the hot desert climate, finding suitable hull-down positions behind even the lowest sand dunes or hillocks, where other tanks protrude, presenting vulnerable targets for long-range tank and ATGW fire.

The Merkava has a digital fire-control system designed by Elbit Computers Limited of Haifa and a laser range-finder which can be used by the commander or gunner. This fire-control system is called the Matador Mk 1. The laser range-finder is manufactured by ELOP Electro-Optics Industries and feeds information into the computer.

2024年12月14日 · The Merkava Mk. 1 is unique in its basic concept, common to all generations of the Merkava Mk. 1, according to which armor and survivability of the tank are its basic features. Production of Merkava Mk. 1 continued up to 1983 when the IDF Armor Corps began to receive the Merkava Mk. 2 tanks.

The Merkava Mark I was produced to an extent of 250 machines when deliveries stopped in 1981. It was found fully involved in the 1982 Lebanon War and the lessons learned quickly led to the revision of some aspects of the design. At first, the mortar position was relocated in a more remote position.

Merkava Tank (Hebrew for Chariot) was the first indigenous Main Battle Tank to be developed and manufactured in Israel. Its unique design and layout came about from lessons learnt in Arab-Israeli Wars and further perfected over the years into 4 distinct Marks (Mk).

There are four variants of the Merkava main battle tank: Merkava Mark I (Mk I), Merkava Mark II (Mk II), Merkava Mark III (Mk III), and Merkava Mark IV (Mk IV). With a mass of 65 tonnes (143,000 pounds), Merkava is one of the heaviest main battle tanks in the world.

2022年3月7日 · The development of the Merkava Mark I represents the start of a true industrial revolution in Israel.

2006年7月25日 · In fact, this year the first Merkava Mk 1 tanks which entered service 25 years ago, are scheduled to be withdrawn from service, as they are replaced by latest Merkava Mk 4.