Were those the Merkava Mk 1's back then?

Originally Posted by Mohmar Deathstrike

Were those the Merkava Mk 1's back then?

Merk 2's and the Mk4 is probably much better armored.

MK4 is an absoutely beautiful piece of work. It wouldn't be too hard to argue for it being the best MBT on the planet. The story of the Merkava is a story of development based upon Israel's many wars and experience.

This article was an interesting read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkava

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Merkava Mk 4

The Merkava Mk 4 is the latest generation in Israel's Merkava main battle tanks series, in service from 2004. It offers extra protection to the crew with more powerful and accurate fire systems.

The Merkava has improved armor on the front and sides of the tank, and even the top of the turret, making it one of the best protected tanks in the world. The armor is modular so when the tank is hit, only the damaged armor plates need replacement. The Mk 4 also has additional crew survivability features: Each tank component is designed to act as back-up armor if the main armor is penetrated. The Mk 4 has an integrated air conditioning and NBC protection system. Ammunition is stored in fire-proof canisters.
The Merkava has an advanced fire system with a new 120 mm smoothbore cannon and an advanced targeting system, giving the tank the capacity to engage and shoot down anti-tank helicopters, such as the French SA342L Gazelle anti-tank helicopters and Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters of the Syrian Air Force.
It also has .50 BMG (12.7 mm) coaxial machine gun (MAG Rafael) which enables the tank crew to shoot soft targets from the turret without getting out. A new generation of internal 60 mm mortar is installed. The internal machine gun and the rear door (which exists in all generation of the Merkava) have proven to be useful in urban warfare.
The Merkava has improved mobility, enabling the tank to move more easily in the Golan Heights, where terrain can limit tank movements. The new Caterpillar tracks system (abbreviated as "Mazkom" (מזקו"ם) in Hebrew: מערכת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים - "Tracks, springs and wheels system (abbv.: TSAWS)") was improved to endure harsh ground conditions and minimize track-spreading incidents. A video system gives the driver 360 degree visibility around the tank at all times. A new 1500 horsepower diesel engine increases the speed and power of the Merkava, enabling it to develop sprints of 60 km/h.
Yet another improvement is the development of a Battle Management System (צי"ד) designed by Elbit Systems, which uses digital information (gathered by other forces such as other tanks, UAVs and the centeral command) to update planning, navigation, and briefing of crews. The Battle Management System can record data gained during the mission and transmit it live to other forces.

I don't know of a tank that does a better job of protecting the crew in so many varied ways.

The Israelis have the most tank warfare experience of any nation since WWII. They *need* to make good tanks because their survival as a nation depends on it. They cannot skimp on details like other nations.

Originally Posted by godofthunder9010

MK4 is an absoutely beautiful piece of work. It wouldn't be too hard to argue for it being the best MBT on the planet. The story of the Merkava is a story of development based upon Israel's many wars and experience.

It's being constantly updated, much more so than the Challenger II, one of the reasons I voted for it. Of course the survivability of its crew is second to none as well, assuming that the armour used is of Chobham/DU quality.

Originally Posted by Doppleganger

It's being constantly updated, much more so than the Challenger II, one of the reasons I voted for it. Of course the survivability of its crew is second to none as well, assuming that the armour used is of Chobham/DU quality.

Don't forget that the engine is located in the front of the tank so it works as another couple of feet of protection from enemy fire.