. Tank MBT / MICV     Main Battle Tank / Mechanize Infantry Combat Vehicle Series
  Merkava   /  Nemer     Biblical: Chariot (MBT) & Tiger (Armor Personnel Carrier)

Merkava Mark IV BAZ Roll-Out Announced February 2007 by OC Armor Corps Brigadier General H. Rodoi

Me, still in my ole floppy signature hat & my 'friend' lurking behind me. She's quiet now.

|      name=Tochnit ha Merkava (Official Chariot Tank Program).

|       image=[[Image:Merkava-mkIV-BAZ-LIC-picX.jpg|300px|Merkava 4]] As a result of the conflict August 2006, MANTAK,
the IDF group that is in charge of all Merkava production, put in an immediate Rush requisition for 100 Trophy II systems, 100 BAZ
Knight Mk4 'Tadir' SharpShooter FCS & 100 L3 1500hsp power-packs (formerly the General Dynamics Land Systems Division).
Trophy II is a 2007 development that has 2 inherent advances. First is 'Duplex' mode where the tank can come under fire in two or
more directions simultaneously and defeat different types of threats all at the same time. Second, the interceptor can be RE-loaded
from with-in the tank without exposing any of the crew from hostile fire. Another challenge was met and is incorporated in stopping
all types of 'Kinetic' ammunition and / or projectiles. A separate program to defeat all kinds of road side IED's called THOR and is
described elsewhere below, has also been incorporated into the R-OWS (Remote Overhead Weapons System) now found on both
the new Merkava Mark IV BAZ and the recently ordered into production the Nemer APC (Armor Personnel Carrier) based on the
Merkava IV BAZ frame from NEW production. It was originally thought of using out dated Merkava I & II tanks for this purpose
but, that was found not to be a wise choice according to MANTAK June 2007 at the Latrun Armor Museum briefings.  First batch
of 30 Mark IV BAZ tanks rolled of the Tel Hashomer line January 2007, 2nd Rush batch rolled off five months later & a third batch
rolls out sometime late 2007 (exact date not specified). These measures were all brought about from 2006 Lebanon war findings.
Parallel Production was started in 2007 for Trophy up-grade kits for all PRE-existing Mk4 tanks with follow on for Mk III's  and
existing armor APC's in both the reserves as well as the active duty forces. This new Up-Grade kit is added on to the existing vehicle
and does include the newer Trophy II modifications described above.  Orders for second and even a third series production run of
the Trophy II's as well as first orders for the IMI Iron Fist were directed by new Defense Minister (former IDF Armor chief) Ehud
Barak, which takes the Mk IV program & series out to the 2012 years. FYI,  No Mk 4 was 'totally' lost in 2006 including the 1 IED*

*The new BAZ suite includes four sensors - radar, friend or foe identification system (IFF), Electronic Support Measures electronic
intelligence (ESM/ELINT) and Elta II, Tracking Incoming projectiles / Communications Intelligence (CSM/COMINT) systems. All
sensors are fed through a unique fusion technique, providing continuous cross-correlation of targets generated by all sensors, providing
automated system-wide tracks of targets detected by each sensor. The multi-beam, electronically scanning phased array radar utilizes
time-space energy management technique facilitating effective, multi-mode operations and coverage of 360 degrees using only four
planar sections - two in forward facing conformal arrays and two on the rear turret bustle covering the remaining 180 degrees in back.


Further: BAZ an acronym for Barak Zoher or Shining Lightning for both Merkava 3 & 4 generation models; the MANTAK people
say could theoretically be associated with ANY Merkava tank past, present or future if they add the FCS SharpShooting features.
Therefore, it can't be ruled out to have a Merkava Siman Aleph BAZ if a Mk I were put through this up-grade program. The new
'TADIR' FCS when placed on Merkava Mk 4 becomes BAZ only if this FCS is included & not just Trophy or other improvements. 
Just to be clear. 

The IDF plans to extend its fiber-optic high-speed broadband network, known as “Gold Avnet,” to mobile ground, air and naval ranks.
The plan is to use wide-area wireless point-to-point and point-to-multipoint (WiMAX) technology “to fuse information into a network
that allows the soldier to share information with a TANK or an aircraft,” Maj. Gen. Ami Shafran, head of the IDF General Staff’s C4I.
The IDF, Ha-Kirya sources say, should be the first military in the world to begin the use of WiMAX wireless technology by FY- 2008.    

Here is an answer and Personal Opinion... 
   A Primary factor in Hezbollah's conduct in the 2006 Lebanon Conflict is that
                              "Hezbollah Does NOT Count Their Dead"
Furthermore, neither can the press since Hezies Look, Pass-For and Dress just like all Lebanese Civilians.

 

       Heyl Shiryon Merkava Video's

                                                                                        
    CLICK  Merkava History VIDEO                  CLICK  Merkava Russian VIDEO                    CLICK  Merkava Mk 4 VIDEO     

        
      CLICK   MERKAVA #9 VIDEO                  CLICK Merkava Mk1 - Mk3 VIDEO         CLICK Merkava Background VIDEO      

        
 CLICK  Merk Bad To The Bone Video          CLICK Merkava 4 Details Video                Coming Blu-Ray WideScreen Video
                                                                                                                                                                        Mark IV BAZ

PS: You can buy this GHQ Merkava 4 pictured above for $2 (₪7 ILS).  But, it's the size of a thumb nail !
         


 
                    FISTS OF STEEL

Whoa dere, bridge out ahead, please slow Merk down to 60!   

|       length=7.6 m (gun forward=9.04 m)

|       series production numbers Mark IV 400 from 1999 - 2007 
        Second series now IN production 400 BAZ from  2007 - 2012



Playing Catch-Up. We now get 30 Mk IV's at a time, 3X a year, if we've been good !  

|       width=3.72 m (without skirts)

|        height=2.66 m (turret roof)

|        weight=55 tons (Mark I) <br> 56 tons (Mark II) <br> 59 tons (Mark III) <br> 60 t (Mark IV) <br> 58 t (Mk IV BAZ)
         NOTE: Due to the incorporation of new technologies such as Trophy & M-TAPS, weights may vary.

|        suspension=helical spring


Black Mamba & Black Mamba 2 both Mk 4's are stationed on Syrian front atop of the Hermon Plateau (I'm on right in ole floppy hat)
Web page is dedicated to all my corps men stuck in the cold, wet, windy, desolate & forgotten part of our world.

|         speed=Road: 65 km/h (Mark IV); burst speed 70 km/h (Mk IV BAZ)

|         primary_armament=1 x 105 mm M68 cannon + 85 rounds (I and II) <br> 1 x 120 mm smoothbore gun + 50 rounds
          (Mk III and IV)<br>[[LAHAT]] & [[Excalibur]] [[anti-tank guided missiles]]

120mm ATGW LAHAT    120mm ATGW EXCALIBUR (Rafael Spike-ER family)     Below is LAHAT Round Being Fired By Mk IIID

|         secondary armament =1 x 7.62 mm coaxial [[machine gun |MG]] (I-III) and/or 1 x 12.7 mm (IV) <br> 2 x 7.62 mm MG
          <br>1 x 60 mm internal mortar; R-OWS Laser/Gun combo see below (Mk IV BAZ)

THOR anti IED & M2 50 cal MG R-OWS on Boeing Test Vehicle

|         MBT Range = 500 km; Extended range (Mk IV BAZ)

|      Merkava Mk IV Power-Pak engine=[[diesel  V-12 MTU 883
       by L3 air cooled 1500hsp w/ Renk Transmission

|         armor = laminated ceramic / steel / nickel composite (Chobham), RHA (Rolled Homogenous Armor), spaced armor + a new classified modular matrix

LEGEND of Korea 1/35th Precision Scale Model from August 2007,  Merkava Mk IV Resin Kit (for the Advance Modeler)  Click Image for Walk Around



|          Merkavot 4 les pusieran "BAZ"...  derived from TADIR Mk 4 FCS systems being installed Post 2006 War production
          Please Note: Elbit Systems, El-Op and Kinetics collaborate on all Merkava Fire Control Systems from the Mark I to the
          present day Merkava Mk IV BAZ and the Mk IV BAZ is derived from the state-of-the-art Knight Mk4 'TADIR' FCS.

          This from the manufacturer:
          TADIR Thermal Imaging Sensor for Combat MBT now serving with Tzahal forces since January 2007
          EL-OP has begun deliveries of the Next Generation FCS Merkava Mk IV starting in 2007. TADIR will enhance the IDF's
          Merkava tanks with cutting-edge thermal imaging technology, that is the most advanced in the world. ELOP is announcing
          for the first time its own home-grown innovative thermal imaging technology (TDI 480x4) TADIR. This technology, that is
          regarded as the most advanced in the world, will soon be implemented in the IDF's Merkava Mk IV BAZ tanks. The IDF's
          development and replenishment plan in this area includes the enhancement of the thermal channel in the Merkava tanks' "BAZ"
          SharpShooting Fire Control System (FCS). TDI 480x4 Technology (TADIR : Time Delay & Integration) is characterized by
          high sensitivity, improved resolution & a superior reliability level that ensures a maintenance cost lower than other technologies.
          A tank thermal channel based on this technology will enable the tank crew to conduct surveillance & to identify longer-range
          targets in a wider Field of View (FOV). This is done by observing a TV LCD Color display, that renders a HD resolution image.

==Merkava Mark IV Enters 1st Combat==

You're looking at the evening 'roll-out' for the battle at Saluki Valley in the last hours of the war. The Merkava Mk IV's first Stand-Up
This Section Begins Below Under Entry for the Mark IV series Merkava's

| crew: 4 (Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader / Radio Operator)

Merkava Crew: Tank Commander on post waiting for Move Out orders 12 Aug 2006.
Reason he's smiling, he thinks he missed the war, there's only 48 hrs left. He was wrong

Merkava Crew: Tank Driver under way at controls
(Notice how the Censor has prevented anyone from knowing the wristwatch brand? Lighten Up, Just Kidding. Everything is
very bright inside due to the stupid interior decorator's crazy idea of using a neutral color like WHITE.   The dummy!
Now no one can get any shut eye (sleep) during a war or our endless training exercises.  Rule #2. Don't get caught...
Rule #1. Don't forget Rule #2...  Guy below is practicing Rule #2... yup, he's a sleep... again!

Merkava Crew: Tank Gunner at his station (are you sure he's winking?)


Merkava Crew: Loader / Communications specialist next to 120mm Cannon breech
He's practicing rule #9... What happens when I throw THIS switch?  Oops...

Note on Improved Merkava Mk IV BAZ Seats by AutoFlug...
Crew protection has been employed by installing the Autoflug safety seat systems, to protect crew from side & bottom mine or IED
blasts as well as reducing stress and fatigue during long duration missions. Several types of seats were tested in Merkava Mk IV BAZ. 
The driver's and commander's seats utilized elevator designs, while the loader and gunner's seat positions are fixed. So is the aft platoon
compartment arrangement when the Troop Transport configuration is employed. However, seats are not part of serial production tanks.
Autoflug safety seats are also being considered for use with the new Namer and various wheeled APCs under development by the IDF.

Note on Improved Merkava Mk IV BAZ Armor (CHOBHAM)

| engine = 900 hsp (Merkava I & II)<br> 1,200 hsp (Merkava Mk III)<br> 1,500 hsp (Merkava Mk IV ALEF & BAZ)

ASPRO-A  Merkava Mk IV BAZ has production line custom fitted APS systems built-in rather than Added On
<!-- [[Image:Merkava mk ivbaz.jpg|A Merkava Mk 4 BAZ with new permanent 2008 ASPRO-A APS installed]] -->

| p/w_ratio = 14 hp/ton (Mark I & II)    18 hp/ton (Mk III, III BAZ)<br> 25 hp/ton (Mk IV & IV BAZ )

| resource = One of the best English discourses ever set to print on the Merkava family is the 276 page hard
bound book from Erlangen Germany's Tankograd Publishing 'Merkava by Marsh Gelbart' ISBN 3936519013
I treasure my copy as do many of us merk-tankers which is also in German FYI. Despite getting diss'd by MG!
I'm telling Helen on you BTW...    ":-)    and YES, I'm a hell of lot older Marshie FYI...
 
 2007 Merkava IV BAZ (FCS 4) returning from Negev Desert field trials being transported by the Merkava Mk IV
 Prime Mover to our Golan staging area.  It's almost impossible to find the new Soltam 60mm internal remote control 
 3,700m roof turret Mortar! Trophy II C Add-On had not been installed at the time of this picture was taken in 2006. 
 I know, this is my crew's damn Mk4 tank. Thank You. You arm chair dummies look carefully & you will see FCS 4.
 RAFAEL's modular Add-On ASPRO-C series was installed summer FY-2008 and funded with TEFEN program.


Above Mk3 DD & Below Mk4 A IDF's MERKAVA on its PRIME MOVER heading to the Golan Heights from the Shizafon Training grounds

Fill her up... diesel will be just fine for the next 500 clicks...         Gee... a Merk Siman ARBA going into battle with a PAZ gas station sign on the turret, how novel !

''TOCHNIT HA MERKAVA''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: {{Audio|He-Merkava.ogg|מרכבה}}, ''The
Chariot Program'') is a series of [[main battle tank]]s developed and manufactured by over 250 Israeli and
100 foreign companies with main assembly at the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Logistics & Armor facilities
inside the Tel HaShomer  (Hill of the Watchman) Army Base near Tel Aviv at Plant #7100. The 'Merkava'
name was derived from the IDF's secret developmental program name and was kept by General TAL (the
overall Merkava program administrator) because he liked the biblical reference. Also, because he sometimes
listens to me! Note on THIS military base that use to be called Tzerefin (Sarafand) will soon be replaced as a
basic military training facility by a massive new installation South of Beersheba called Ramat Hovav. First IDF
construction began in 2006 with an expected first stage opening date of 2009. Merkava plant will Not move.

 
  2007 Merkava IV B firing the new improved 120mm I.M.I. APAM (Anti Personnel - Anti Material) round in the Golan Heights

The Merkava has been designed for crew survival and rapid battle damage repair thanks to an Israeli development  called 'Telescopic
Production' and the novel use of quick appliqué modular ceramic armor panels. The Telescopic Production method allows for changes
on the assembly line at the last minute, such as the installation of the 1500hsp engine, which was not ready when Merkava Mark IV
tank production began in 1999, but was immediately installed once they began to arrive, first from Germany & only later from the US
GDLS (General Dynamics Land Systems) corporation two years later in 2001. With the use of spaced-armor techniques and quick-
replacement modular designs, the assembly line team was  able to incorporate secret compositions of a derivative of Chobham type
ceramic armor, RHA ([[rolled homogeneous armor]]) and U.S. developed carbon epoxy fiber filament. It should be pointed out that a
further enhancement to crew safety  was the use of the space between inner and outer armor walls to be filled with diesel engine fuel;
an excellent storage technique and a method to defeat HESH and HEAT enemy tank rounds. The Merkava's unique layout was
accomplished by the positioning of the powerpack to the front of the tank thus increasing frontal mass while affording greater crew
protection.  Then moving the main gun turret towards the back of the hull for both over-all tank balance as well as allowing for a
fighting compartment strategy.  This revolutionary tank now had a rear compartment area that could be accessed in complete safety
while under fire by use of a double vertical door called a 'clam-shell,' that when open, provided a roof above and a ramp below.


Shizafon tank range with Excalibur round training under way

 Now, ammunition reloading could be accomplished without exposing the crew or any of the reload teams to
enemy fire on the field of battle. This compartment has now been used as: a medical operating theater (Tankbulance), a forward
command and control center, a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) control tower, an ELINT forward operating office, an air-to-
ground FAC (Forward Air Control) station and a forward battle field command post. If this rear tank compartment contained
armed infantry, then up to 10 fully combat soldiers could be carried & the clam-shell door would allow for deploying these soldiers
while on the move under combat conditions and taking fire.  In an emergency the crew can use the clam-shell door as an escape
hatch to safety on the battlefield, even from an internal fire. These are just some of the many lessons that were painfully learned
in the 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli wars when the Merkava was under development from 1970 to 1977. One such lesson
from the 1973 surprise Yom Kipper War was from Egyptian AT-3 swatter and RPG-7 anti-tank weapons.  These were all single
stage war-heads which were defeated by the Israeli invention of the 1970's of RA (reactive armor) panels that fired outward upon
impact to deflect the penetrating enemy rounds.

 
 Merkava Mk IV firing a 120mm Lahat ATGW round at the Southern Armor Training site at Shizafon

The lead organization for system integration of the Merkava's main components is I.M.I. [[Israel Military
Industries]]. The IDF Ordnance and Tank Workshops are responsible for all of the final Merkava assembly,
which in the beginning were the old WWII British vehicle repair shops at what was once called Sarafand in
WWII.  The primary assembly facility, "Plant 7100," was later built in time for the Mark III during 1988 and
is co-located in the IDF armor complex at Tel HaShomer just outside of Tel Aviv. All new construction,
development, R&D, modifications & up-grades to older tanks is done at Plant #7100 to this day. 

Other major LOCAL Israeli suppliers, which there are more than 200: 

IMI (Israel Military Industries) Locally Produced 120mm Main Canon

Look Carefully... New Trophy II Lite APS ADD-ON SERIES Installed
The  Merkava Mk IV has incorporated an IMI 120mm Smooth Bore main gun that
can now withstand higher ballistic pressures and has a softer recoil due to a locally
developed an ingenious more compact Breech than the first generation 120mm gun
found on the Merkava Mark III series. Ever notice how much smaller the Israeli
120mm guns looks on Israeli tanks?     That is not co-incidence, it's... Technology.

IAI (Israel Aircraft Industries) ELBIT Division

*ELBIT Revolving 10 Ready Round Automatic Magazine with computer round selection choices

Microprocessor controlled, fully automated, electrically driven, 120 mm rounds magazine. The system
is located in an isolated space of the turret and is designed to protect the crew in case of ammunition
explosion. The system is easy to operate from the crew compartment. Also, the tank loader can select
ammunition out from FIVE choices and up to 10 ready 120mm rounds.


Urdan Israel Ballistic Steel Foundries Mine Roller Systems RKM

IDF Maagach with Urdan's RKM-4 version of Russian KMT-4 mine rollers, returning from engagement in the Gaza strip 'Hamastan' 
Compare this 1960's generation anti mine equipment with the Mk III BAZ 1990's below and newer RKM5 bottom of this web page


Merkava Mk III BAZ with 1990's version of Urdan's RKM rollers

*All Ballistic steel castings: complete Merkava Hull, wheels, suspension, drive systems, gun shield, belly armor,
  mine rollers, bulldozer blades and the turret shell as well as the newly design bustle is by ''Urdan Industries."

Ballistic Castings at only one of six armor foundry's in the world at Haifa's Urdan Steel Works


Above is the 60mm Soltam mortar for the Merkava Series, This new Mortar went from the
2,700 meters range out to 3,700 meters. It's now Auto Fired & Targeted by the BMS computer

*Improved 60mm Internal Remotely Controlled 3,700 meter range Soltam Mortar is primarily
  used against anti tank teams & terrorist snipers. Rapid return fire is now linked to Rafael SpotLite.

REMEMBER...
Many of the Armor Crews are FULL time armor assembly line workers and this
Merkava tank is the only tank in history to have been designed, built & improved
by the very same troops that use the tanks... Crews, Repair Teams and logistics.

*Electronic sensors, Infrared equipment and targeting radar are all from I.A.I.'s  Elta Division,


 Business End of the Merkava IMI 120mm Smooth bore Main Gun up very close...
*120 mm main gun plus all other ammunition is made by Israel Military Industries.
And BELOW we have the Action End of the 120mm Smooth Bore IMI Main Gun

Unlike many other MBT's there are 4 safety features that prevent jamming & Injury!

*Ballistic Firing  Computer and digital FCS [[Fire Control System]] interface systems
 from Elbit Computers Ltd' (Knights MkIV Tadir SharpShooter Barak Zoher System),

*Tadiran supplies the air conditioning, intercom and radio communications equipment,

*Optical peritelscopes and LWS (Laser Warning Systems) is from 'El-Op, Elisra' &
'Astronautics' (who supplies driver compartment equipment, actuators, electronics
and automotive system integration),

MERKAVA Mk IV BAZ

 
 
 Merkava Siman Arba BAZ / Merkava Mk 4B / Merkava Mark 4 BAZ /  Merk Mk IV BAZ with Tadir & ASPRO-A 2nd Generation
 APS  (now featuring an Auto Internal Re-Loader) and at the center top above the new Remote-Overhead Weapons Station (R-OWS).

 TADIR FCS = Mark IV BAZ 2007 Production Series (TEFEN 2012)

*R-OWS (Remote - Overhead Weapons Station), THOR & Trophy APS (ASPRO-A). is from 'Rafael Armament Development
Authority,' while the new redesigned turret bustle with the integrated Trophy APS was developed by IAI and built by Urdan ballistic
steel works. THOR Laser will defeat in place IED (Improvised Explosive Device), EFF (Explosive Formed Fragments) and the new
Iranian EFP (Explosive Fragment Projectiles).  Also in August of 2007 Raphael announced M-TAPS (Multi Threat Armor Protection
System) which is a break-through technology of a new generation of appliqué armor far more advanced than Chobham Armor which
is found on many US, English & NATO tanks today. It's a Hybrid reactive-passive add-on armor that is designed to defeat modern
Russian, Chinese and Iranian tank threats such as dual and tandem warheads. It is modular and very quick field repairable. It is even
effective protecting against IED, EFP and FSP including the Bushmaster high velocity gun ammunition. It will be installed on Bradleys.
U.S. Marines will use it in all their 2008 and on-ward production of MRAP-II vehicles according to the Commandant of the USMC.  

This Section Begins Below After the Mark IV Lebanon 2006 Conflict Entry...


Some of the more prominent FOREIGN suppliers are:

*GDLS (General Dynamics Land Systems), who at Israel's urging got the license production rights from Germany's MTU for the
 state-of-the-art 1500 hsp GD883 V12 air cooled diesel engine along with the RENK RK325 Transmissions make up the power
 pack (which is army vernacular term for a field quick change package of a tank power plant system. For example the Merkava
 Mark IV B engine weighs 1.7 tons while the field replacement Powerpack weighs over 4 tons complete.

A Merkava Mark III BAZ Up Close and Personal with Knights Mk III FCS

Business End of the Merkava BAZ 120mm Rheinmetall Germany developed, But IMI (Israel Military Industries) produced main gun
BEEP BEEP, Move Over or I will place this instrument where the Sun Does NOT Shine.  Hezzie's co-operation is SO important.

Smile Partner or MAKE MY DAY...
*DARPA (via Jonathan Pollard) who obtained the design details for I.M.I to develop and produce the 120mm XM-256 (Watervielt
Arsenal) smoothbore Rheinmetall main tank canon barrels (Now, I.M.I. sells to Rheinmetall the Lahat 120mm anti-tank missile that
destroys air borne attack helicopters and fast moving enemy tanks with an on-board auto-tracker and slave system).

Merkava live fire exercise firing I.M.I. Depleted Uranium (DU) 120mm Round  (talk about giving a headache)

*Motorola for the Tadiran on-board communication encryption systems,

*DuPont for the Nomex and other ballistic and fire retardant materials used by Hagor tank uniforms,

*Russia Military Industries for helping Israeli equipment designers with both the KMT-4 & KMT-5 (see above) anti-mine rollers (RKM)
 as well as the ABK-3 dozer blade, now all built by Urdan and even exported to NATO  countries including the US Army and Marines,

*Belgian Herstal FN for supplying MAG 7.62mm heavy coaxial and roof turret machine guns,

*Caterpillar who is producing a revolutionary Israeli designed tank track system,

These systems & others are now being deployed on Mark IV BAZ SharpShooter version of the Merkava tank, now in full production
with first deliveries expected early 1st quarter 2007. To date about 200 Mark I's were built, 550 Mark II's, 650 Mark III's and now
400 Mark IV First Generation. In 1999 400 1500hsp power-packs were ordered and in 2006 post Lebanon another 400 powerpacks
were placed, with deliveries beginning during 2007 according to L3 who purchased (in 2006) GDLS, the German MTU licensee
in America. A 2007 Up Date: all 400 Mark IV A's have been built and power-packs installed. A RUSH order of 200 Merk IV's (now 
BAZ) are now in various stages of production & one IDF Battalion or batch of 30 Merkava's was produced at the beginning of 2007, 
a second batch of 30 has been constructed & are under going field trials in the Negev while a 3rd batch of 30 are either off the assembly
line or just about completed by winter 2007.  All of these versions are full Mark IV BAZ with the new Knight's Mark 4 FCS Tadir (BAZ)
and incorporate well over 200+ modifications since the first Mark IV was delivered back in June of 2002.  It is true that in a perfect
world and in Normal times we can expect about 60 units per year, however... in the early years of the 2000's there was severe
military cutbacks and scaling back across the board which hit the Merkava program hard and several times looked as though the whole
program would end. Only to be resuscitated at the last moment usually by 'events' which can thank Yasser and now Nasrallah in a
strange twist of irony. Because of the 2006 war and all the recriminations and feedback there are now many crash programs funded by
                                                                            TEFEN 2006 through 2012
that is now bringing about another side of telescopic Merkava production. Three sets of 30 tanks at a time are now being ramped up
per year like never before and you can bet that MANTAK is taking full advantage of this 'windfall' money before it evaporates... again. 
Also concurrently early Mark IV A's and Mark III's are being now Up-Graded with the new ASPRO-C APS Add-On package along
with the new Knight's Mk4 FCS among other systems to bring them up to Mk IV BAZ 2007 IDF standards. 
Note: Mark IV production numbers above can only be extrapolated from the US based tank engine supplier L3 & Not MANTAK or
other IDF / Official sources as that is Always considered sensitive information and is neither discussed or ever disclosed... BTW.

NUMBERS (Merkava Mk IV):
           Platoon - 3     Company - 12     Battalion - 30     Brigade - 90
Tal said that he "hoped to see 1,200 Merk IV B's fielded by April 2012 Thanks to Tefen 2006 Funding. That's 
not necessarily a production line of 90+ units per annum however."  I'm guessing here Talik is referring to new
Mk 4 BAZ turret, bustle and APS Up-Grade for older Mark 3 Merks! This would allow for THAT dead line!

Undergoing Live Fire Negev field exercises at Shizafon with new 2007 Merkava Mk IV BAZ with integrated ASPRO-A  APS 

Compare Original Merkava Mk I Alef Below & Latest Merkava Mk IV BAZ Above  

== Merkava Tank Series History ==
      Tochnit ha Merkava   (the Chariot's official development program name)

This is the actual May 1977 1st official IDF released photo of the Then new Merkava MBT # 820001 Z
Note at the time, this particular angle was suppose to make the new Merkava look at it's WORST!
The First Public Showing of the Chariot would be ONE Year later on Independence Day May 22 1978.

One note here about this Merkava Mark 1 Alef bereft of all crew accoutrements, kits, stretchers, shovels,
tow cables, bustle baskets, balls & chains. As time passed and new Merkava Marks and derivatives were
produced; these later changes, lessons learned from the field and instituted during wars;  all of the Merkava
family of tanks evolved & would no longer Looked, Performed, Resembled or Handled like the original.
    
The story behind the above picture may prove to the reader to be a real eye opener some 30 plus years later...
Dateline: HaKirya, Tel Aviv (Israel's Pentagon) by Hirsh Goodman JPost Military Correspondent TUESDAY (May 17, 1977)
Defense Minister Shimon Peres (current President of Israel) officially acknowledged for the first time Saturday (14 May 1977)
that Israel is producing a main battle tank called the Merkava (Chariot). The announcement followed the unexpected public
disclosure in Washington D.C. by President Jimmy Carter of a most unusual pledge of $100 million dollars of U.S. funds to help
initial production of a new Israeli domestically built tank on Thursday (May 12, 1977). Coverage of this signing was provided by
JPost Washington Correspondent Wolf Blitzer (current CNN news anchor).  This, up to now secret tank program is headed
by the Israel Armor Corps and by Aluf Israel Tal, a world authority and proponent of armor warfare since the beginning of the
decade. Peres elaborated that the Merkava has a typical crew of 4 and can carry as much as 92 rounds of 105mm ammo. He
also disclosed that this tank would be unconventional as certain lessons from recent wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973 have made
the Merkava the safest tank in the world. If only a basic load of 62 rounds were carried then up to 10 combat infantry can be
accommodated in a special rear compartment as the engine in the Merkava is in front which adds to its safety design. The tank
will be powered by a newly developed 900 hsp version of the U.S. Patton 750 hsp Teledyne  Continental Motors engine. The
main armament is the 105mm canon now found on all the German, British and American main battle tanks and is the current
NATO standard found in inventories across Europe. The new joint American-German next generation MBT is not expected for
another seven years and would not be made available to Israel for at least another decade after that to allow for both the US Army
and German Army to build up inventories. A factory especially set up for the production of ballistic armor casting is the brand new
Urdan steel foundry in Netanya and is only 1 of 10 in the entire world capable of producing ballistic castings. Urdan just recently
(19790 got a multi year contract that went a long way to pay for the plant capitalization, to manufacture for the U.S. Army the 
cupola for use on the US Patton series of tanks. The Chariot it was learned Sunday (May 15, 1977) has completed field trials of
10,000km in both desert & mountain areas of Israel and passed with flying colors. Full production will commence immediately. The
first castings of  40 tanks was completed in 1976 and it was expected by the IDF to have first examples in units hands by November
of 1976 but there was a major hurdle with funding, transmission problems and U.S. State Department licensing rights, As Usual!
                                                                                   
     
 Division Commander 1967 War                       Deputy Chief of the General Staff IDF                           Commander Armor Corps

===Major General Israel 'Talik' Tal===
Affectionately Known as the 'Father Of The Merkava' IDF MBT series of armor fighting vehicles
  
Upper left 1970's Director of the IDF Merkava Project Office 'MANTAK' at the Sarafand work shops.
Born 1924 the eighty year old Octogenarian (upper right) still can be found each day on the grounds of
the new Tel HaShomer armor work shop facility busy as ever on the development of the 'Next' Merkava
challenge the NAMER (Tiger, above) APC built around the hull of the Merkava Mk IV, Engineer ARV
Armor Recovery Vehicle, the unique Tankbulance or the next new Merkava; the 2010  Mark V  40 ton
Hi-Mobility class MBT! Speed in excess of 60mph, Laser anti-IED/EFP gun, all wheel drive & Smart shells.

Major General Tal single handily molded the Armor Corps into a Sharp-Shooting tanks corps with one shot
equals one enemy tank hit. Ask the Syrians back in 1961. His command and leadership of armor divisions
is renown. His tactics are legendary and are taught in every major military school around the world today.
The idea, thought, design of the Merkava is icing on a distinguished military career of 6 decades. This MBT
is not just revolutionary and unconventional but practical, sensible, economical, Deadly and gives the Israeli
Defense Forces an UNFAIR advantage over all its adversaries regardless if their equipment is the most
                                                                EXPENSIVE,
the Greatest or from Russia, China or even the USA. It has changed over the years and adapted very well to
changing tactics, battlefield lessons learned and advances in enemy technology. Nothing is perfect in the real
world but, the Merkava series has stood the test of time and it's Mark IV BAZ will verify that fact once again. 

 
For those nut cases out there in web chit-chat posts endlessly arguing Which Tank Is Best might find it
very annoying that Aluf Israel Tal may have had a part in the development of another tank, the Abrams MBT! 
Surprised? You shouldn't have been. He was already known to have helped the Abrams predecessor (MBT-70)
with vertical hanging armor skirts that Creighton Abrams liked so well that it was ordered by Army Command. ,

In Honor of General Tal's Contribution to the Abrams MBT Development, A Section
of the U S Army Armor Corps Museum is Dedicated to Him along with the Patton Armor Corps Medal  
Major General Tal being Congratulated by Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi

Little Known Story behind The Legend of General Israel Tal... HERE

Click Image Above for Classic Review "The Tank Even a Jewish Mother Would Love"


Merkava Mk 2's on 30 unit 1987 assembly line @ Armor Workshops


Merkava Mk III 30 unit 1994 line at the Tel HaShomer armor plant


Merkava Mk IV BAZ 30 unit production line during 2007 with Mk2 & Mk3 Lebanon
Conflict damaged tanks under repair foreground above with a new Tadir Knight Mark 4
FCS and Trophy II Mark 4 BAZ tank finished in back.  While below is the new Merkava
Mk IV BAZ coming off the assemble line bottom left with more units in back on the line.

All Lebanon damaged armor has been now repaired & the Merkava Mk IV BAZ 2008
production line is in full swing  Also there are now parallel lines for Nemer Mk IV APC's,
Older Mk III and pre-2006 Mk IV Merkavas being upgraded.

History of the Merkava series of main battle tanks (MBT) dates back to the [[1960s]].
Israel realized that to defend itself in times of war, it had to have unrestricted sources of
the major weapon's platforms of land, sea and air. To be able to do that, a country would
have to have the infrastructure to build and adapt those systems to it's own specific geo-
graphical conditions, a technological base as well as have a  history of national-defense
industry.  Israel could buy nearly any plane, ship, submarine, gun and ammunition on the
world surplus market. However, not a single country in either the West or the East was
willing to sell her MBT during the 1940's and 1950's. It was not until the French sold
Israel tiny AMX light tanks for the 1956 Suez war did the IDF have any armor capability.
Later when the British began to unload their WWII style Centurion tanks did Israel have a
main battle tank. This French and British tank would be upgraded dramatically by the IDF
repair base at Sarafand until it was not feasible any longer to keep fixing up 20 year old &
out dated technology armor. Israel still lacked the experience or the infrastructure to design
& construct a contemporary MBT by 1960 that was comparable to any industrialized nation,
either from the West or from the Eastern. They would have to start from scratch and they
decided to build a 'Sabra' (Hebrew for Native Israelis) indigenous type main battle tank.

 So you might ask, Does the APS work and has it been tested...    uh, duh!
 
 What smoke Marshie?  I don't seem to remember you being inside this sardine can of a tank with us guinea pigs!

IDF EXPORT SABRA Mk I MBT
  Design, Planning, Proof of Concept, Wood Prototypes were begun...  
 
 Above SABRA series began after Merkava as 'conversion' kit for older existing tanks in inventory
 Design started in mid 1960's but because of Chieftain fiasco was delayed 10 years to mid 1980's

So in 1965,  Israel set about to design and produce a 'Sabra' IDF main battle tank. However, fate would intervene
in 1966 when Israel was approached by Britain to help jointly develop & conduct field trials for a new next generation
MBT called the [[Chieftain]] MBT. Israel agreed if they would be given the opportunity to locally produce a variant for
the IDF and so 2 examples arrived in January 1967 along with a team of British armor and technical experts. The two
Chieftain prototypes were put through exhaustive tests of their performance in dirty, dusty desert climatic conditions of
the very hot and dry Sinai Desert.  England back then, had hoped to compete with Soviet tanks for Mid East sales.

But, during the 1967 [[Six-Day War]], the technicians were briefly called back to England and the two prototypes were
hidden and stored. But soon a second pair of 'improved' Chieftains arrived to begin more exhaustive trials to verify the
improvements made over the first two prototypes to see if they held up under the field conditions of the Middle East. This
time however, they would face the even harsher conditions of the cold, wind and moisture of the barren Golan Heights
as well as it's notorious basalt rocks & bad topography. The first 2 examples arrived back in England to be re-evaluated
The second two new prototypes were tested not even 1 year when an Arab potential buyer for the tanks put a stop to
this Anglo-Israeli military hardware co-operation with the British Ministry Of Defense. However, many valuable lessons
were now learned by the IDF from the 4 prototypes and from the 1967 conflict, especially  the need for more crew
protection and a new approach to an 'instant' fire suppression system as burn casualties top the list for armor injuries in
most of the Sinai and Golan engagements. Politics intervened and in late 1969 England withdrew from the joint program,
because the Home Office and the Foreign Ministry was coerced with an Arab promise of future tank sales. That there has
since Mandatory Times been a bias within the British Foreign Ministry of the Army getting too 'chummy' with this Zionist
state, a convenient excuse was now at hand to stop this program dead in it's tracks. It was never the British Defense
Ministry which to this day (2007) still purchases millions of dollars worth of IDF desert military (UAV) equipment. The
two remaining Chieftain tanks were then returned on a cargo ship at the Haifa port 17th December 1969.
 
Thus 5 valuable years were now lost in Israel's quest for self sufficiency in a future main battle tank production program.
A sad foot note to this chapter was the Pentagon would many years later admit that the British Foreign Office also asked
the US State Department to make sure NO 'new' MBT's were sold to Israel. It seems, because when the last 2 remaining
tanks arrived 25 December (Christmas) 1969 it was discovered all the important IDF suggested improvements and new
recommendations for Chieftain short-comings were not included and were missing, according to the AP wire service back
on December 28th 1969.     Why the nerve of those ungrateful Zionist... ! They are still laughing at the Pentagon BTW.

Israel then realized that it could not rely on other nations to help her produce a main battle tank, it would have to be done
by Israel's own manufacturing base.  General Israel Tal, began considering a new Israeli-made and Israeli-designed MBT
and put forward on 15 of  May 1970 a proposal that was accepted by the Israel Parliament and funding, scouting for an
industrial base and native as well as foreign suppliers began. This May date would then come to be known as the birth date
of the Merkava tank. However there would be many set backs, shortages of funds and developmental problems that
would arise. One of the worst would be the 1973 Yom Kippur War just as the first proto-types were being approved for
funding. Also the Israeli High Command realized that they did not have the human resources to withstand a war of attrition 
again with Arab neighbors.  Now, with that conclusion, the Israeli government decided to initiate at once projects related to
designing the Tochnit ha Merkava (the Chariot's official development program name) where crew survivability would take
precedence over firepower and tank mobility attributes.  So terrible were the tank crew losses in both the Six-Day and the
Yom Kippur Wars of 1967 and 1973. After the battles General Tal would shut down the tank program & all production, to 
inspect, photograph and document every single armor casualty as to it's cause & possible prevention. Because of this type 
of attention to detail from previous battles, Israeli priorities were firmly reset to 'Crew First' from that date (1973) forward.
To this very day it has not changes one iota in the last forty years of the Merkava Tank Program.


Here we see an excellent example of Lessons Learned. Because in all tanks world wide;   reloading has to be done through the top hatches, many injuries, casualties and
even fatalities were incurred while tanks attempted to re-supply while under combat. With the innovation of the rear clam shell door seen above the canisters protecting
the 120 mm main armament ammo rounds are quickly and now safely brought on board, even while under combat without compromising crews. Simply Ingenious.  

By 1974 the tank's design was complete, prototypes fabricated and a temporary factory  (the current plant dates from 1988 and the Merkava III series) created from
existing World War II British armor workshops back when the base was called Sarafand (Tzerafin in Hebrew).  Work soon began on adapting these workshops into
Tell HaShomer Ordnance Depot for permanent full-scale tank production over the next ten years. Ten-thousand kilometer field trials commenced in December 1974,
first with four examples, then later expanding to six Merkava proto-types (all of which can still be seen today at the Armor Corps museum at Latrun, Israel). Merkava
was formally acknowledged among military circles for the first time during March 1977 in the 'International Defense Review' monthly magazine. But the huge Merkava
program was in dire need of additional funding. Aluf Tal (General Tal, Father of the Merkava tank) then made a rare trip to Washington D.C. in hopes of finding an
American financial support source for his Merkava.  The United States Congress accepted Tal's proposal & the agreement was enacted when President of the United
States Jimmy Carter signed a multi-million dollar grant for Merkava development on Thursday, May 12, 1977. Then the first official images of the Merkava MBT were
then released 2 days later to the world military press, like the US "Armed Forces Journal" on Saturday May 14, 1977. HOWEVER, it would be a more memorable
experience on the Merkava Chariot's FIRST public appearance during Israel's 30th Independence Day celebrations May 1978 in the Jerusalem University Stadium.

The 100 million dollars provided all the seed money for the mass production and large scale purchases from foreign sources of components that allowed the Merkava
program to go forward. It was THAT crucial. Interesting enough only 1.7 million dollars was actually used for the new plant because war from the North loomed in
those dark days of 1970's and instead of making one or two more "pre-production" batches of 30 tanks each to work out in the field with the regular IDF forces all
the kinks and oversights that happen with a first model of anything, the IDF ordered immediate 24 hrs a day around the clock production so that by the actual date of
the Lebanon war almost 200 Merkava's were completed and in the field ready to go to war. The new purposely designed final tank assembly factory, the famous
building #7100, would not be constructed until the first major definitive change to the Merkava tank (the famous Mark III) in 1989 began production. The old WWII
British & Palestinian Quonset huts and dilapidated workshops of the Merkava Mark I and Mark II would be used for follow-on maintenance, up-grading old tank
series from Korean & older wars which would then be sold off as Export. Soon they began to get work orders from other countries for PM (preventive maintenance)
such as the U.S. Army and Marine Corps European / NATO theater. MANTAK had come a long way from Nothing to a full MBT assembly line infrastructure.  

President Carter focused world attention on this Israeli 'Black' secretive military enterprise with his public signing but, those needed funds did speed up tank assembly so
that by 30 April 1978 the first production examples of the Merkava Mark I tanks rolled out with one of them making the first official public appearance May 1978 during
during the annual Israel Independence Day celebrations at Jerusalem's main university stadium. A Merkava Mark I rolled slowly out onto the large elliptical race track to
the applause of many there that day, The four IDF tank crew members were announced & stood proudly up in their fighting compartment positions & waved to the crowd.
Then Colonel Avigdor Kahalani (tank hero of the '73 war) received the ceremonial 1st Keys from General Tal on behalf of the 1st armor group in the IDF to get the brand
new Merkava tank (7th  Brigade).   But, then, slowly the rear hull began to open up with these giant armored doors in a vertical clam-shell arrangement & the crowd fell
silent.  They had never seen anything like this, including all the attending foreign military attachés that were in attendance, could not believe their eyes when ten fully armed
IDF combat soldiers began racing out on the lowered ramp of the clam shell door and then stood in formation in front of this 56 ton behemoth. All the while the complete
Merkava crew of Commander, Gunner, Loader and Driver stood in their tanks' now open hatches. Fourteen fully armed troops in 1 Tank.  There wasn't a dry eye in the
crowd that day. Me included! A new Tank era was born.  Israel had just joined an elite small group of nations to design, develop and produce their own MBT in 1977.

 
1st Merkava Mk I in Feb 1977 at Tel Ha Shomer IDF armor workshops outside Tel Aviv (seen on horizon) near Sarafand (Tzerefin)
Note: This Tank's Serial Number is 820001 or the very first production model.  See First Released B&W Photo Above...
Also note the differences in detail on this model today versus the released censored B&W photo by the IDF PIO office.

The IDF hand over ceremony would not be until December 1978, when the first full brigade of 30 Merkava tanks began unit training.
One year later in 1979 the first Merkava unit was officially received by the IDF as operational with 90 Merks. By late 1980 the second
brigade of 90 takes began training so that by the 1982 Lebanon war over 200 Merks could be ready. Some would think that ten years
was a long time for a start-up of a MBT program. Others would have blamed funding problems of 1973-1976, growing pains from
transitioning from an economic based industry to a military industrial complex, the many equipment failures with such a radical new
platform, the 1973 Yom Kippur War did not help matters and would actually cause years of funding issues, then there was tank crew
conversion difficulties of going from a WWII tank mentality to a next generation armor warfare that the Merkava would be the first in
the world to adopt arriving before the French, German and even the US next-gen tanks, also the longer than normal crew training and
a whole new set of armor tactics that had to be developed due to the new tanks shape, speed and capabilities found in such an
unconventionally design tank. Further, the first deployed Division of Merkava tanks would not be battle ready and finish training until
mid 1980's. Still, 10 years from nothing (no money, no infrastructure, no experience workers, no existing similar programs) to full tank
deployment is quite an achievement in the annals of world armor history. Especially when you think that in Israel's case there was
absolutely no industrial production located anywhere in the country before the 1970's. Everything had to be developed from scratch.




=== Merkava Mark I Series 1970 to 1983 ===
Only 5 Years From First Casting 1973 to First Production Units 1978 On Display

First Six Merkava proto-types began their 10,000km field testing in 1974,
first definitive tank 1977, first series production 1978 & IDF acceptance
June 1979 & BTW, this is a plastic model of my first assigned Merkava tank.

Compare Original Merkava Mk I Alef Below with Latest Merkava Mk IV BAZ

Rare AP wire photograph of Jerusalem stadium May 22 1978 Independence
Day Celebrations unveiling the first public showing of the 'Chariot' Tank. On 
this first occasion the Merkava tank went on display, 10 Combat IDF troops
came out the back clam shell doors, while the 4 man crew remained visible.


Merkava Siman Aleph with new bustle basket but NO chains prior to 1982 Lebanon Conflict

The Merkava Mark I was Israel's first home built MBT that was designed, fabricated
and put into mass production. This tank represents a departure from basic MBT layout,
the high degree of crew protection and the amount of armor between the crew and
incoming projectiles.  Even the tank's shape and general layout of the Merkava is very
unconventional and most unique among all the world's Main Battle Tank's.

The Merkava I was designed with the engine mounted in the front and the turret placed 
toward the back of the tank. Most remarkable of all however, is that from a 'prepared
position' the Merkava series of tanks presents the Smallest front silhouette of any MBT
in the world, making it the hardest tank to hit or even for the enemy to see despite it's
great size and weight. MBT's turret areas measures as follows:  the USA Abrams M1 is
1.17 square meters, British Chieftain is 1.55sqm, German Leopard is 1.29, Soviet T-72
and T-80 is 0.90 square meters while the Merkava is only 0.76 square meters visible. 


Merkava Siman Aleph arriving at mouth of Litani River beach assault 1982 Conflict

Even though the tank was equipped with the state-of-the-art 105mm rifled US M68 main
gun, developers pointed out that up to a 120mm main gun could be easily retrofitted, once
NATO officially adopted that weapon caliber & it's 120mm ammunition became available
to Israel in times of war and crisis. Both the Chieftain and the Abrams tanks came with the
105mm main gun when they were first produced for their respective armies in the late 1970's.


This pair of Merkava Mk I's are seen here on the Golan prior to the 1982 war. NO CHAINS, yet!

The Merkava first saw combat action in the [[June 1982 Lebanon War]] when 180 units in
three brigades (six battalions) were deployed. There, many battlefield issues would come to
light and later be addressed.  It showed a need for the 60mm mortar to be installed inside &
fired remotely,  rather than outside the turret in an exposed urban battlefield environment. A
shot trap was discovered in battle under the rear area of the turret bustle which was easily
remedied with a field installation of hanging chains & steel balls at the turret bustle over hang.
The high-power typical tank Zeon spotlight was removed as not needed nor wanted. Tracks
were modified and strengthen due to their constant failure on Lebanon's steep mountainous
conditions. Unlike most MBT's in the world, the Merkava could climb a 70 degree incline, a
most amazing feat that even foot soldiers would have difficulty in trying to accomplish. A more
powerful [[automatic transmission]] was also needed, as well as an up-grade to the Merkava's
main braking system. Major up-grades that were also found in the Mark I's Lebanese conflict,
would have to wait till after the December 1983 introduction of the Merkava Mark II,  for a
next generation Merkava Mark III series in 1989. They were: an improved cabin (NBC / air-
condition) system,  a pure water supply, an anti-helicopter weapon system, a more powerful
engine pack with an Israeli built and designed transmission, a more deadly main canon, longer
or extended range parameters and even a basic increase in the over all size of the tank hull
itself that would provide for a more comfortable ride in the most inhospitable terrain.

Lebanon1982 Merkava I First Combat...
Go HERE for Images, Stories, Actions & Battles

Merkava Siman II with Urdan MCRS anti mine clearing roller system took over in 1983 during Lebanon 1982 Campaign  

=== Merkava Series Aerial Deployment ===
Anyone Want To See A Merk Mark IV BAZ Being Off / On Loaded a C-5B ?

Many arm-chair would-be generals would tell you that one of the DOWN sides to a Merkava tank
has to be it's weight as that would prevent it's deployment to many of the battle front areas in the
world today by aircraft. Well, that has not slowed down one tank, the US Army M1A2 Abrams
which if I am to believe the manufacturer (General Dynamics Land Systems) is about 70 tons, give
or take depending on... accessories. Well, they also had no problem on hundreds of occasions to
have to airlift Abrams into the thick of battle in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The Merkava tank can
weigh about 50 tons give or take, but due to recent developments (like IAI Iron Fist and Rafael
M-Taps) can weigh even less now.  Ok, meister, show me ONE example.     OK, How about....

this case of a development model (shown here a Merkava Mark I upgraded to Mk II standards) and placed
with the Czech Republic, France and above Germany on an exchange for T-80, Leopard Mk V & LeClerc.
Later, to satisfy the U.S. State Department, an agreement between Turkey and Israel that was finally reached
in 2005 was that Merkava Up-Grades would be made to existing Turkish M-60 series Army tanks such as: 
engine-packs, armor, weapons and even an Israeli FCS system. Also, "tests have been conducted with DOD 
teams over the years & All Merkava series (Mk 1 - IV) COULD be airlifted with USAF active air assets."   

Just Because Some Dunder Head Puts a $1.75 English Sign on a Hebrew Tank... Does NOT Make It So

Not only are there NO Merks in service with English markings Model or Versions but All Merks go through
Up-Grades constantly just to stay current even if they are like this old 1980's Mark now on Museum loan...
 

EXPORT MERKAVA's
The Israeli government agency that is responsible for military exports and their web site have
listed the Merkava Mk I, the Mark II and now the Mark III at www.SIBAT & have done so
now for decades. However, sales are kept quiet and always been censored in the Israeli press.

I expect Iran's northern neighbor Azerbaijan will not be the only recipient of a company of
Merkava's, even if for only palace guard duties in Baku. SIBAT has no less than 5 request
on record in late 2006 for reconditioned Merks Mk 2 & Mk 3 which the IDF now wants all
to be replaced with the new edition of the state-of-the-art Mark 4Baz up-grades & production.
Currently with Merkava Mk III's there is an on-going proof of concept to swap out the turret
with new Mark 4 state-of-the-art electronics, APS, armor, GPS, WiMax, Ammo & intel gear.
SIBAT has over 600 ex-IDF Merks ready for export as of 2008 if anyone is counting... 

=== Merkava Mark II Series 1983 to 1989 === 

Merkava II out for a parking spot!     What ignoramus said the Merkava was 'Under Powered?'     
Where are you suggesting? Tibet climbing the Himalayans?  Antarctica?  Maybe Laguna Beach?
FYI, USMC Abrams M1A2SEP did not fare well against Merk IV's OR the Golan Heights BTW.

The Mark II was first introduced into general service in April 1983 after the previous year's incursion
 into Lebanon. Some (like Royal Armor expert Brigadier General Richard E. Simpkin) have said; 'if it
were not for critical timing & the need to get Merkava Mark I into service of the IDF ASAP, that the
Merkava Mark II would have been the 1st definitive production model in the hands of armor brigades
and that the Mark I would have been just another of the many proto-types and development 'mules'
that were used and field tested prior to IDF 1977 acceptance.'
 

World Armor Expert In Depth
Merkava Series Review HERE
 

The Merkava Mark II included many new upgrades & improvements because of the Lebanese 1982
Spring conflict, such as the focus on [[urban warfare]].  By adding additional 7.62mm machine guns to
the weapon stations for the commander, gunner & loader allowed increased fire-support for dismounted
[[infantry]] along side the tank. Mark II  displayed further improvements in crew-survivability: functions 
such as relocating the 60mm Soltam mortar's firing station inside the crew compartment, introducing a
new Israeli-designed & built Ashot automatic transmission, increased fuel storage for improved  range
of 500 km (by putting the diesel fuel between the outer layers of the ballistic steel shell which help defeat
HEAT warheads), by replacing a 5 cent engine spring  (this lead to the amount of time between major
engine overhauls from 100 operating hours to over 1,000 hours), as well as the modification & installation
of the ubiquitous ball and chain arrangement seen hanging from all Merkava rear bustles.  These clever
simple devices deflect RPG's and other projectiles away from the tanks shot-trap areas that all tanks have.

Various upgrades to the Merkava Mark II models emphasized improved FCS systems. The new mast
for the meteorological sensors, crosswind analyzers,  thermal imaging & night vision optics, and the new
El-Op Matador 2 fire control system have all been improved & modified.  This created a new Merkava
Mark I-BIS series in 1985. Although the 900 hsp Teledyne pack remained the primary power plant for
the platform (1200hsp still was not ready), an Israeli break through in automatic transmissions designed
by Ashot of Ashkelon Israel was developed & incorporated into the Merkava Mark II BATASH series.

 
= Merkava Mk III Series 1989 - 1999 =

First Merkava Mk III's to be deployed to a war was Lebanon June 1989 straight from production line

Another Under Powered Merkava, this time the Mk III seen here heading out for some coffee & donuts... Mustava been a Monday!
This tank is IDEALLY suited for the environment for which it was built... The Middle East.    Not Europe you chat room dummies.


Professional Precision Scale Model Merkava Mark III by Colonel Fernando Galdiano-Ribeirao

Following new intelligence gained during Israel's [[1982]] campaign in [[Lebanon]], the Mark III was first seen in [[December 1989]]
with more major modifications.  Among the many modifications were major changes to the Merkava basic turret silhouette features:

West Bank Patrol for new Mark III BAZ April 2000, Note the New Low Streamlined Silhouette Turret


Merkava Mk III Dor Daleth on maneuvers among the Daisies in the Galilee's Plain of Esdraelon at the foot of Mount Megiddo (Armageddon)   


Merkava Mk III Dor Daleth up Very Close indeed with the snow caps foot hills of the Hermon mountain range in the back ground


Merkava Mk III Dor Daleth company up close with smoke canister container open at the ready

*120mm [[smoothbore]] main gun (designated MG-251)  originally developed by Rheinmetall of Germany.

*1200 hsp powerpack for improved mobility & terrain handling (1500 hsp version was NOT ready in time for initial tank production)

*Special new type Israeli ballistic ceramic armor suite (a local version of British "Chobham" armor).  Above, border patrol company.

*Solid state ruggedize Digital electronic communication suite,

*External, two-way hard wire telephone for secure troops-to-tank communications,

*Main gun stabilization system, which allowed for independent turret movement and anti-helicopter capabilities,

*Implementation of dual round protective munitions containers for minimizing ammunition [[cooking off]],

*Laser target designators and 360-degree laser warning system (LWS),

*Improved modular armor system allowing quick replacement of damaged armor (designated Kasag).

**The modular armor is designed for rapid replacement and repair in the battlefield and for quick upgrading as new designs and
sophisticated materials become available.

== BAZ (Falcon) FCS Knight Series Up-Grade Systems==

Merkava Siman III BAZ (HAWK) SharpShooters series laying a smoke screen for on board troops prior to combat field deployment

For the arm-chair generals out there, we have BAZ units of every shape,
model and Merk derivative as it Only refers to the FCS (Fire Control System)
that is being 'constantly' upgraded by Mantak and not some dumb chat room
preconceived idea it applies to a 13 year old Mark III's wandering around in
search of a mission. This 'Sharp-Shooter' version is deadly accurate with the
IDF Armor goal of 1 shot Equals 1 Hit and is just as deadly accurate against
armored helicopters as it is enemy MBT's. All else is... FAILURE. Talik's Law

 
Debuting in [[1995]], the BAZ Up-Grade to the Merkava Mark III BAZ Series was designed with  improved Sharp-Shooting BAZ and additional electronic systems...

*Upgraded FCS (Fire Control System) Both Knight's Mk3 for Mark III Merkava's and Tadir Knight's Mark 4 on the entire Mark IV production line 1999-2009 or 2012.

*[[Improved Protection against weapons of mass destruction; NBC]] ventilation / air conditioning and heating / air cleaning systems.

*Locally-developed central [[Micro air-conditioning]] system (this was
revolutionary in tanks). NOTE, all Merkava series have had A/C from
day 1. (In Micro A/C a distribution system of flexible tubing pipes cool
(or heat) air right into the tank crew suits for individual comfort. Also,
since the Mark III BAZ units of 1995,  all seats in Merkava tanks have
also had an air cushion suspension and anti-IED blast system installed.
 

2007 Merkava Siman III BAZ LIC (FALCON FCS) undergoing
new Up-Grade at Plant 7100 including the new Belly Armor Pak

The designation appended to the name; Merkava Mark X "BAZ"
(Falcon, Hebrew Barak Zoher meaning shining lightning), which
planners & engineers deemed appropriate for a SharpShooting tank
killer sniper platform with a computer based FCS. It's now the most
advanced type found anywhere. In the case of the Mark IV BAZ it's
Tadir beats M1A2 SEP as proven by one on one USMC Golan trials.

    === Dor-Dalet (Fourth Generation Armor)===
  
Merkava Mk III's with Dor Daleth 4th Gen. up-grades on the Golan Heights.  Hezbo's confused these as Mark IV kills

The latest generation of the Mark III class is the Mk III BAZ D or Dor-Dalet.  The most significant difference between the two versions
is the installation of the ''Kasag'' modular-armoring system, specifically around the turret area. Some of the other differences include up-
grades such as:

*Upgraded and strengthened Cat-Tracs (built by Caterpillar) and design by an Israeli. If you look at the 6 ground road wheels you will
notice an obvious space between the rear two wheels and the forward four wheels. This is so a 'Quick-Fix' can be done in the field to
rescue disabled tanks by shortening the track around just the first four forward wheels and the tank will be still able to continue under
it's own power to safety. You can see this clearly in the next four Merkava Mk IV photos that follow below.  Look Carefully. 

Merkava Mk III BAZ In Depth Report - Here

*Upgraded machine gun placement and installation of a remote OWS (Overhead Weapons System) with a Laser anti IED system.

The newer model also keeps many of the previous modifications, such as air filtration  and advanced NBC protection.  Prospective up-
grades planned for this model include a battlefield-management system (similar to the '''IVIS''' system installed in the  American M-1
Abrams MBT.  The system's deployment is crucial to integrating individual tanks and allowing a central command authority to follow the
course of battle from an individual tank level perspective.

 
== Merkava Mark IV Series 1999 to 2009 ==
 
Merkava Mark IV 'proto-type' from 1999 trials, proof of concept, now on display at Latrun Museum. A
2008 rumor has it that this Lebanon veteran was 1 of 2 IED MBT's and could not be restored completely!

Aerial of Yad LaShiryon Armor Museum at Latrun Israel, Click image for Link


These images above and below,  show the Merkava Mark IV with new features such as the anti-
ballistic mesh coverings such as on the right forward engine exhaust grill and turret electronics
as well as a set of new Up-Graded side skirts for the Tractor - Roller assembly areas on the sides.



I Forgot to say cheese, besides it was my Day-Off... ugh! 
              I Just Hate It...  When That Happens!

The Gap between the rear two road wheels and the front four is very noticeable on this angle.

The Mark IV is the latest generation in the tank's line and has been in production since 1999.  It's production was first
announced in an October 1999 edition of ''Bamahaneh'' (In The Camp) IDF military publication. It was then published
in December of 1999 in additional publications such as ''Armed Forces Journal''.  The 1999 articles discussed many of
the qualities, features and specifications of the Mark IV version. Production and ordering long lead items such as the
German transmission & power-pack as well as the necessary ballistic steel. This was to be a major Up Grade program.

One Version Of A Merkava Proto-type  


Six Merkava IV prototypes were started in 1996 and all eventually were in the test program
The prototypes accumulated over 10,000km field trials by 1999. October Bamahaneh article
wrote that Israel placed an order of 400 US GDLS  (General Dynamics) now called L3 Land
Systems and their new 1500-hsp GD-883 power-paks (engine & transmission power plant),
featuring the new German Renk RK-325 Automatic transmission, with five forward gears and
two reverse gears.  Note: that L3 Systems bought out all GDLS military contracts in 2006. In
early 2002 the IDF asked NRG to video tape 6 Mark IV's being field tested. See Video above.

Here New Trophy II Lite mini APS ADD-ON SERIES has been Installed to a pre existing Mk IV
 
Above, Definitive Dec 1999 Merkava Siman Arba Upgraded 


Since the 2006 war all the Armor brigades have been on refresher,  intensive training and mountain courses; here Mk 4's at Shizafon.

German MTU - US GDLS - USA L3 : 1500 hsp Power Pak
 Now Standard on all Merkava Siman Arba (Mk IV) series tanks 1999 - 2009
   
   Merkava Mk IV 883 Engine Only     Merkava Mk IV Renk Transmission  Merk 4 1500 hsp PowerPak  

License production by MTU of Germany to General Dynamics at their Muskegon diesel engine assembly
facilities for export to Israel due to FCS payment restrictions & the technical agreement signed by none
other than General Tal in 1997 on behalf of MANTAK and the CEO of GDLS (now L3 systems).

HERE, the 1200 hsp Merkava Mark III power pak is shown for illustration purposes...

Merkava 1200hsp Power Pak being Exchanged Out during  a Field Exercise

 
 Above is the Merkava Mk III BAZ 1200 hsp Power Pak during a field exercise. Total record time is 50 min flat. The
 L3-883 Engine is 2 Tons while the total weight for 1500hsp field Power-Pack is now over 4 Tons.   A Big difference.


Merkava Mk III Power Pak Engine Cavity Forward of the Crew Compartment


Here Merkava IV chassis as ARV (Armor Recovery Vehicle) for field repairs

*The Merkava Mark IV main power pak has been upgraded to 1500 horsepower and allows the tank to accelerate
to burst speeds of over 65 km/h and have a Military Power Ratio to Weight factor of 24.5,  which is similar or better
than other current MBT's in the world today. This engine was pioneered by the famous German 'motor-works' MTU
as a supercharged V12 Diesel air cooled combat power plant. Israel' s Merkava IDF office 'MANTAK' convinced
General Dynamics to acquire the license production so that the entire powerpak could be purchased with the annual
FCS funds from Congress that had to be spent in the US on US made & produce equipment each year.  400 1500hsp
power paks were first ordered in 1999 when the Merkava Mark IV production series starterd, with first USA made
power pak models arriving not until 2002. Because of MANTAK's 'Telescopic' process this was never a problem, this
despite the erroneous PRESS at the time of a supposedly German Boycott of MBT tank engines that come from USA.

Merkava Mk IV in Lebanon Border position with LIC Belly Pak Configuration


Notice how my Golan buddies will seek out shade no matter how difficult to find, to stay a little cooler and little less conspicuous?


Merkava Siman Arba (Mk IV) In Gaza Action & etc...

Here Merkava Mk IV company on patrol in Gaza as Hunter / Killer teams looking for Kassem Rocket bandito's...
In this case a Palestinian Red Crescent Van (Islamic Red Cross) used as Hamas troop carrier & rocket transporter.
Lovely.

Merkava Mark IV on Lebanon border patrol against nasty Hezbo's who kidnap, murder, plant IED's, terrorize, etc.. 
Then wonder why they get no World sympathy or support from the 37 Moslem counties or any of their oil billions.

Merkava Mark4 on the frontier with Egyptian Sinai, since their border with Hamas controlled Gaza is now wide open.


Merkava Mark IV on routine patrol in Samaria against Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA or PLO) & Fatah guerillas
with UN observation post,  in the vicinity of their Mid East headquarters complex at, Hill of Evil Counsel in Jerusalem

Merkava Mark IV on border patrol in Judea to stop 'friendly' Palestinians from attempting suicide bombings by young
children (some under the age of 9!). Very Nice neighborhood huh? Most are young girls BTW. Their reward; they get
their Mommy back...  no wonder Euro's, flakes, Quakers and other imbeciles love these poor Palestinians so much !

You May Ask the Reason for a MBT in above cases. Because...
it's air conditioned, Israeli troops get to go home to families, it protects against IED's and eliminates wounding IDF troops.

Here we have Merkava Mk IV Winter Syria Frontier on Station

1st WAR deployment for Merkava IV was 2006 Lebanon Conflict
Now all 4 Merkava versions have now seen combat except Trophy
and even THAT is about to change with 2008 revelations in Gaza!

It would not be until the beginning of 2002 that completed Mk IV's
would be in IDF hands. Usually 30 tanks would roll off at a time and
about two production runs would average out during one calendar
year.  Since 2006 summer war all Merkava production has been put
into over drive & will hit 3 production runs of 30 units: 90 tanks annually


Pair of Golani Armor Brigade Mk IV's with Anti-Mine devices on patrol during February 2008 snow


On Patrol near Jericho West Bank 2004, Rear bins empty in LIC warfare, here at the west side of the town's road approaches

Oh, & Don't Be Fooled Like the Hamas & Hezbo Press, This Is NOT A Merkava Mk IV, The One Below IS!


Merkava Mk IV shown in detailed at the 6 o-clock position and ready for inspection and it's Commander below:




 

MERKAVA Mk IV BAZ     
 
Here you can see the difference with a 2007 Merkava Mark IV BAZ with full ASPRO-A APS permanently installed from the factory
200 examples have been rushed into production by MANTAK.  L3 Systems, Renk and Rafael have all confirmed Tefen Order 2007

Size: 9' Feet Height, 30' Feet in Length and 12' Feet Width @ 60+ Tons
         2.66 Meters by 9.04 Meters and 3.72 Meters Width @ 60,000+ KG
BAZ upgrades; Trophy/ASPRO, M-TAPS & etc. can reduce 1,000's of pounds. 

It is only with the accuracy of time and hindsight will the real story of what happen and what went wrong, but also what all went right
during this 2006 Hezbollah conflict. Some things are for certain. A perceived deterrent by Iran against it's nuclear warfare program
by an Iranian Hezbollah army threat to Israel, has all been destroyed and now pushed back by over fifteen thousand NATO troops,
French armor tank brigades and German Naval warships. Many of the so called civilian casualties were in fact Hezbollah forces and