Merkava Mk. 3
 

 
 
The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces. The first Merkava Mk. 1 tanks were supplied to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in 1979. Production of the Mk. 1 continued up to 1983, when the IDF began to receive the Merkava Mk. 2. The Mk. 2 featured improved mobility, fire control system and armour, as well as the inclusion of an internal 60 mm mortar. Production of Mk. 2 continued until 1990 when it was superseded by the Mk. 3. 

The Merkava Mk. 3 entered service with the IDF at the beginning of 1990. All systems and assemblies were of new design and all, except for the engine, are of Israeli design and production. Among the prominent features of the Merkava Mk. 3 are: new suspension system, 1200 horsepower engine and new transmission, higher power main gun and ballistic protection provided by special armour modules. About 1000 Merkava Mk. 2 and Mk. 3 tanks are in service with the IDF. 

Development of the Merkava Mk. 4 has begun and will include a new compressed gas recoil system and thermal sleeve for the 120 mm gun, to enable the firing of enhanced kinetic energy ammunition.
 
 Armament
 
The main gun is a 120 mm smoothbore gun developed by Israeli Military Industries. The gun has a Vidco Industries thermal sleeve, which increases accuracy by preventing distortion through the effects of heat and shock. The tank carries an ammunition store of 50 rounds of 120 mm ammunition. The tank is also equipped with three 7.62 mm machine guns, two roof mounted and one co-axial with the main gun. The tank carries a store of 10,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.

The Soltam 60 mm mortar system is capable of firing high explosive rounds and illumination bombs. The crew can load, aim and fire the mortar system from within the turret.
 
Protection
 
The tank's is fitted with the Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system, with threat warning display installed at the commander's station.

The turret and the hull are fitted with a modular armour system which can be changed in the field. The forward section of the turret is fitted with additional blocks of armour which provide extra protection against the latest generation of top attack anti-tank missiles.

A skirt of chains with ball weights is installed on the lower half of the turret bustle. Incoming HEAT projectiles detonate on impact with the chains instead of penetrating the turret ring. Sprung armour side skirts protect the wheels and tracks.
 
Fire Control And Observation
 
 
The electro-hydraulic turret control system installed on the Merkava Mk. 1 and Mk. 2 has been replaced by a totally electrical and electronic system in the Mk. 3, operated by either the gunner or the commander. The Knight Mk. III (Baz) advanced fire control system, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit Ltd, provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move. 

The gunner's station is equipped with a thermal sight and day television channel, which are stabilised in two axes. A laser rangefinder and target tracker are integrated into the gunner's sight. The Elbit automatic target tracker is able to automatically aim at the target using the image data presented on the day or night sights.

The commander's station is fitted with a sight which can be optically relayed to the gunner's sight. The Merkava 3 is being fitted with a new day/night stabilised panoramic sight, giving hunter/killer capacity. 

 
Propulsion
 
The Merkava Mk. 3 is equipped with an AVDS-1790-9AR diesel supplied by Teledyne Continental Motors. The air-cooled diesel provides 1,200 horsepower, compared to the 900 horsepower engine installed in the Mk. 1 and Mk. 2. The tank's transmission system was developed by the Ashot Ashkelon Industries Limited subsidiary of Israel Military Industries. 
 
 
Models
 
 


Merkava Mk. 3A 
First model of the Merkava Mk. 3 tank
 
 

Merkava Mk. 3B
Merkava Mk. 3A with improved armor. 
 
 



Merkava Mk. 3 Baz
Merkava Mk. 3B with Knight Mk. III (Baz) advanced fire control system, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit Ltd, provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move (an automatic target tracker), and significant improvements in ballistic protection. 
 
 










Merkava Mk. 3D
Merkava Mk. 3 Baz with fourth generation armor, additional armor plates on the chassis and the turret.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merkava Mk. 3 -Main Characteristics
 
Main characteristics
120 mm smooth-bore gun 
Internal Mortar 60 mm 
Modular Special Armor 
NBC Protection - overpressurised fighting compartment 
Air Conditioning
Automatic Fire Suppression System 
Electro-Magnetic Warning System 
Instantaneous Smoke Grandee Launchers
Advanced Fire Control System 
     2 axis stabilized line of sight, auto-tracker, day/night vision 
     Anti-Helicopter capability 
All-Electric Turret Control System 
Rear access door 
1200 HP engine
 Fully Automatic Transmission 
Advanced Mechanical Suspension 
 

 
Technical Data
Weight
Combat loaded                                                      65 tons
Dimensions
Overall length, gun forward                                  9.04 m
Overall width, without skirts                                3.72 m
Height, to turret roof                                              2.66 m
Armament
Main gun                                                            120 mm
Ammunition storage                                         48 rounds
                                        (In individual spall proof and fire proof ontainers).
 Machine-guns                                                  3 X 7.62 mm
 Mortar, internal                                                 60 mm
Fire Control System 
Commander's sight                                            panoramic, independent
    Day channel magnification                              X 4.8 and X 12
    Thermal & TV display monitor
Gunner's sight                                                      2 axis stabilized
     Day channel magnification:                            X 12
     Thermal & TV channel display monitor
Automatic Tracker for Commander and Gunner
Gun & Turret Control System 
Gun and turret drive                                              all electric
Gun Control
    - Max. Velocity elevation   &                              15° / sec
    - Max. Velocity traversen   &                              34° / sec
Instantaneous Smoke Grenade 
2 launchers, 24 grenades
NBC protection and air-condition system
    - Hybrid functioning (overpressured & peersonal mask operation)
    - Cool-air supply to mask and overalls
Engine
Type                                                                       diesel, 4 stroke, air cooled
Configuration                                                        90° V 12
Power                                                                     1200 HP
Transmission
Type                                                                    hydrokinetic, fully automatic
Gears                                                                 4 fwd. , 3 rev
Suspension
Type                                                                      hydromechanical
Road wheel travel                                               300 mm (bound)
Track                                                                    steel, single dry pin
Performance
Range on hard level road                      500 km
Max. Road speed                                     60 km/hr
                                                       55 km/hr Max. Cross country speed
 
 
 
02 January 2003
 
The last "Merkava 3" tank to be produced, was presented today (2 Jan.) in a special ceremony held I one of the IDF's Technological and Logistics Directorate bases.
The newer model "Merkava 4" will soon be operational in the Armor Corps.
In the photo: Brig. Gen. David Angel, head of the "Merkava" project, awarding tank documents of the last "Merkava 3" tank, to a Division Commander of the Armor Corps, Lt. Col. Zafrir Orpaz.