Merkava Main Battle Tank Specifications
Combining the best features of American, British, French, and captured Soviet tanks, all of which have been used extensively by Israel in the past, the Merkava is the product of real battlefield experience. The 1967 War, which spurred the development of the Merkava as part of a native Israeli defense industry, demonstrated the extreme importance of armor protection to such an extent that the Merkava's design emphasizes tank survivability, armament, and speed in that order.
 Israeli Merkava 1 main battle tank proved far superior to the Soviet T-62. |
Date of service:
Merkava I -- 1979
Merkava II -- 1983
Merkava III -- 1987
Country: Israel
Type: Main Battle Tank
Dimensions: Length, 7.5 m (22.4 ft); width, 3.7 m (12.2 ft); height, 2.75 m (9 ft)
Combat weight:
Merkava I -- 60,000 kg (66.1 tons)
Merkava II -- Classified
Merkava III -- Classified
Engine:
Merkava I -- Teledyne Continental V-12 diesel 900 hp
Merkava II -- Teledyne Continental V-12 diesel 1,200 hp
Merkava III -- Unknown, believed to be 1,400 to 1,500 hp
Armament:
Merkava I -- One 105 mm M68, rifled
Merkava II -- One 105 mm M68, rifled
Merkava III -- One 120 mm smoothbore
All Models -- Three 7.62 mm NATO machine guns;
one 60 mm mortar
Crew: 4
Speed: 46 km/h (28.6 mph)
Range: 400 km (249 mi)
Obstacle/grade performance: 0.95 m (3.1 ft)
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