| That was an interesting mixup about the Merkava going 60 mph. It would be interesting to see a MBT that could make that kind of speed, but I'm afraid it would be too much engine and a completely insane fuel hog. Of course there isn't a top of the line MBT that goes that fast. The fastest modern MBT I know of is the LeClerc. Can anyone think of a faster one? 72 kph (44.712 mph). Earlier versions of the M1 could boast about the same speed.
Now I like the Merkava so much is for many reasons. The turret design that allows for a full size main gun barrel with less of it sticking out (aimed forward). Compared with every other design I can think of, the Israeli Merkava FAR outshines everyone else in armor sloping. There are very few directions you can hit a Merkava from without a strong chance of your shot deflecting in some way, and being rendered partly or totally ineffective. On top of it all, the Merkava has nice a low profile, but not to the point of losing the ability to target the main gun downward.
Lots of people will crunch for numbers armor tonnage, engine sizes, depleted uranium and so forth. Everything is important of course. You can take your basic shapes and designs for modern MBT's out there and throw newer and newer technologies on the same basic tank concept. All generally tends to equal out in these categories. But the basic shape tends to remain with little change. I'd pick the Merkava for effectiveness of shape over any other. My personal opinion.
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