Israel fields one of the most capable militaries in the world. And while the Israel Defense Forces lean heavily on the American defense industry, the country has a proven streak of innovation. 

One of the best demonstrations of Israeli ingenuity in defense is the Merkava IV main battle tank. 

Merkava IV

The Merkava IV is a heavyweight, weighing in at 70 tons. But its V-12 diesel engine can crank up 1,500 horsepower, translating to speeds of 40 miles per hour on-road and about 35 mph off-road. 

The Merkava IV packs an IMI 120mm L44 main gun, an M2 Browning .50-caliber heavy machine gun, and a 7.62mm light machine gun. It can also take a Mark 19 40mm grenade launcher and a 60mm internal mortar to hit targets beyond direct visual range. The tank’s main gun can fire armor-piercing and high explosive shells.  

Like many Western MBTs, the Merkava IV has a crew of four (commander, gunner, driver, and loader). 

The tank is equipped with potent countermeasures, including the Rafael Trophy Active Protection System that can track incoming anti-tank munitions and tank rounds, but the Merkava IV is still vulnerable. Hamas militants have repeatedly taken out Israeli tanks with loitering munitions. This newer tactic combines drones and explosives to strike armored vehicles from the top, where their armor is thinnest. 

The Merkava IV is quite similar to a number of modern peers such as the American M1A2 Abrams, the British Challenger 2, the French Leclerc, and the German Leopard 2. 

The Merkava family debuted in 1979 and has participated in almost a dozen conflicts. It has been among the most active tank families, with the most operational engagements in recent times.

Development on the Merkava IV began in 1999, and it became operational in 2004. To this day, close to seven hundred Merkava IV tanks have been delivered or ordered.

Merkava IV and the State of Tanks 

The war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza continue to show that main battle tanks aren’t going away anytime soon. Tanks offer a commander great options in offensive and defensive operations. Their combination of firepower and protection makes them ideal for combat in close quarters. Whether it is in a destroyed village in Eastern Ukraine, or in the fields outside Gaza, tanks pave the way for mechanized infantry. 

These two conflicts have also shown tanks’ vulnerability to modern threats, especially anti-tank weapons and loitering munitions. But with the right countermeasures, tanks can make the difference on the battlefield. 

About the Author 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense and national security journalist specializing in special operations. A Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), he holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He is pursuing a J.D. at Boston College Law School. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.