General Facts

TYPE
Main battle tank

ORIGIN
Israel

NICKNAMES
Chariot of fire
Merkava Siman 4
Nemmera, leopardess (Merkava ARV)

DESIGNED
1999 - 2004

DESIGNER
MANTAK (part of IMI)

PRODUCTION
2003 - 2009 (Mark IV)
2009 - present (Mark IVm)

PRODUCERS
Israel - MANTAK / IDF Ordnance

QUANTITY
320 produced, plus 300 ordered

UNIT COST
$ 4.5 to 5 million in 2006

CHARACTERISTICS
Good all aspect protection lvel
Powerful armament
Good crew survivability
Multipurpose rear compartment
Good all terrain mobility
High production costs
Very large and heavy

Introduction

The Merkava 4 is a modern main battle tank of Israeli origin. It is the latest development of the original Merkava tank and differs in nearly every aspect. Compared to the Merkava 3 the armor and mobility have been improved. Unique features such as the front mounted engine, light mortar and rear troop hatch have been retained.

Layout

The Merkava 4 has the same unique layout as the original Merkava series but both chassis and turret have been extensively redesigned. A larger and more powerful diesel engine has been installed in the front. The reshaped turret mounts a much more powerful 120mm smoothbore cannon equivalent to Western cannon. The rear ammunition and crew compartment with rear hatch has been retained.

Firepower

The main armament is a 120mm MG253 smoothbore cannon. A total of 48 rounds are carried and are manually loaded. Loading speed is increased due to the use of a 10 round electrically operated drum with ready to use ammunition. All NATO standard ammunition can be fired including the LAHAT anti-tank missile. High quality fire contol systems provide a good accuracy, even when firing on the move. A 7.62mm MAG is mounted as a coaxial machine gun. A 60mm mortar can be fired from within the turret. Additionally one or two 7.62mm MAG are pintle mounted on the turret roof. A 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun can be coaxially mounted above the barrel.

Protection

The redesigned hull and turret provide even better protection than the Merkava 3. Especially the side protection levels are improved. This feature is valuable in urban combat. The composite armor is of modular design, allowing damaged sections to be replaced. Smoke grenade launchers and NBC protection are fitted as standard. Some Mark 4 are fitted with the Trophy active protection system.

Mobility

The tracked chassis with helical spring suspension provides good all terrain mobility. Unlike the previous Merkava models the power to weight ratio is on par with other modern tanks. The 1.500 hp diesel engine provides a maximum speed is 64 km/h.

Users

The Merkava 4 is only used by the Israeli army. There have been no exports. The total number of Merkava 4 tanks that have been ordered is over 600 and production will continue for several years.

Merkava 4

Merkava 4: The Merkava Mark 4 is a modern main battle tank. Compared to the previous models the hull has been fully redesigned and the turret has a more round and symetric saucer shape.
Merkava 4m Windbreaker: Mark 4 fitted with Tropy active protection system. Although trailed since 2007 this upgraded model was introduced in active service in 2011. Parts of the Trophy system are visible on the turret sides.

Specifications:
Merkava 4

Type	Main battle tank
Crew	4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Length	7.60 m (hull), 9.04 m (gun forward)
Width	3.72 m (without skirts)
Height	2.66 m (turret roof)
Ground clearance	0.45 m
Weight	65 t combat load
Ground pressure	?
Wheelbase	Tracks, 6 roadwheels, sprocket front, idler rear
Turn radius	?
Engine	MTU-883 V12 diesel, 1.500 hp

Power ratio	23.1 hp/t
Transmission	4 forward, 1 reverse
Speed	64 km/h on road
Fuel	1.400 L
Range	500 km on road
Wall	?
Trench	?
Gradient	?
Fording	?
Armor	?
NBC equipment	Yes

Night vision	Yes
Smoke	2x6 smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks	-
Armament	120mm cannon 7.62mm coaxial machine gun 60mm mortar 7.62mm roof machine gun 12.7mm roof machine gun
Weapon1	120mm MG253 cannon in turret 48 rounds, 10 ready to fire powered elevation 360° powered traverse stabilized in both axis
Weapon2	7.65mm MAG coaxial machine gun traverse and elevation as main armament 10.000 rounds in total non-stabilized
Weapon3	60mm mortar within turret automated laying non-stabilized
Weapon4	7.62mm MAG machine gun on turret roof 10.000 rounds in total, 100 ready to fire manual traverse and elevation non-stabilized
Weapon5	12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun at turret 100 rounds ready to fire traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon6	-

Nemera

Nemmera: The Nemmera is an armored recovery vehicle based on the Merkava 4 chassis. Instead of a turret a crane and a heavy 35-ton winch are installed. The production model of the Nemmera features a large 42-ton crane stowed forwards. Two large jacks are fitted at the rear to stabilize the vehicle when the crane is in use. An earth anchor at the rear holds the Nemmera in place while using the winch.

The prototype model of the Nemmera was based on the Merkava 3 chassis. During development it was called Namer, but this name was later given to the heavy APC based on the Mark 4 chassis. The prototype is easily identified by the smaller much smaller crane that is stowed along the rear of the vehicle when not in use. Also the two jacks are not present on this vehicle.