Sounds like a very specific and limited role for such a versatile space? That's one potential function for sure, but as the video points out, it's multi-purpose.
True! I myself was a "troop"(infantry medic) and took a ride in the compartment back to safety. it's not fun and definatly not the main use. it's a usefull feature IF NEEDED
How do they do that? Does each suit have a self-contained chilling unit OR are they hooked up to a main unit? It just sounds cumbersome when in the cramped room of a tank...
Currently, they are working on making heavy APCs out of Merkava mk2 going out of service, and chassis for the new howitzer that the IDF will use to replace its old ones
This. Since all of the world hates on russia im gonna say how Israel actually does the right thing. The russians dont just design a brand new system rather just upgrade an old one or reuse it. Israel do it too and look what briliant things they make. I am really astonished by the IDF. :)
it’s being put on the latest iterations of the M1A2, the C and D as they are now being called. im sure the trophy system will be more itegrated into the M1A3 instead of being more “slapped” on like it is now
Israel's armour doctrine is based on protection of the crew due to Iareal's relatively low population throughout it's existence, to them there is no point in having a tank without a crew to control it.
Well this kind of is opposite to the infantry doctrine of israel, I served as IDF airborne and i can tell you the doctrine pretty much regards infantry as cannon fodder.
israel have around 8.2 million people, atleast half of that or less than half are doing millitary servic from permanent to national service requirement. they have abundance of men and women to juggle around. their doctrine consists of perpetual state of paranoia against enemies on every side. you can easily cripple israel with spamming tonnes of fire and forget missiles since their country is dense. but they do have good anti air and anti air ballistic counter measure (iron dome)
@@safwansaid5139 "you can easily cripple israel with spamming tonnes of fire" if that were true, then israel would have lost in 1973. it was outnumbered about 10 to 1 in men adn artillery, and 20 to 1 in tanks at the beginning in the northern front adn even if you don't believe these numbers, if it were so easy, then one of their enemies would have done it already
I met a Merkava instructor once. She was surprised how much I knew about the tank. There are 4 Merkavas displayed at the Latrun (Yad La Shiryon) tank museum in Israel and one IFV based on the Merkava. Also numerous other tanks ... worth visiting.
And even more importantly in the Yom-Kippur War as the Scho't Kal, Osprey wrote a rather good little book about it, in the Duel Series, Duel: Centurion vs T-55 - Yom Kippur War 1973. ospreypublishing.com/centurion-vs-t-55-pb In the Six day war they still used the Scho't Meteor (Centurion with the original Meteor engine), and they weren't to happy about that engine. Also they still use engineer vehicles based on the Centurion, the Puma, and allegedly still have their centurion variants in reserve.
the7observer They used the Centurion in both the 6 day and Yum Kippor, and remains heavily modified in service today wit IDF for secondary tasks such as mobile observation post.
The Merkava fits Israel, As it's not world power. It's goal is to defend the state of Israel. It's mission is to survive and win. Nothing more. This is why the tank was designed to carry troops, so that infantry can be ready to dismount anti tank scouts, recon, anti air defense and even serve as an NBC retreat for infantry. As it's budget is not $300 billion or one that includes intervention into other countries. I would add. This tank has more tricks up the sleeve then you mentioned. One being laser detection range finding systems that target it. It can pin point just where it come from and release countermeasures to blind it. As well as return fire from not just one source but all on the field of battle. As the systems are integrated division wide. Plus a few more.
Their claimed capital was directly central in the Palestinian land divided up by the UN in 1947 as Palestine they just invaded and annexed their way to it
Snoop Doge Jews had their home there long before the Arabs, the land was shit and not wanted until the Jewish people improved it over the years, then the Arabs decided they wanted what wasn’t theirs as usual and have since then.
Engine on front, modular armour, APS system, able to carry up to 4 soldier´s, one of the few Western MBT´s to carry and use missile systems with his main gun wich is a 120mm, good mobility and of-road capabilities and excelent combat field management and firing computerr systems, extensive use in combat and batle proven, the Trophy APS system was also extensively used during Protective Edge in 2014 were it defeated several Kornet ATGM´s and RPG-27´s, probably some of the most deadly anti-tank weapons in the world, the Merkava is my favorite
Leandro Ribeiro it's a great tank for sure :-) I would say the most battle proven tank in the world for sure. Thanks for watching and have a great day!!
***** Yah, its like, don´t sell them to the Israelis because it will worsen the relations with Israel-Arab world instead we are going to sell them to the Arab world ad everthing will be ok !!
At that point, Israel sayd, listen, we don´t wan´t your stupid weapons with your stupid politics and we are sick of the low standard´s your tanks provide us with so we are going to do our own tank and you are going to eat our dust (litteraly)
***** Yah, Israel was at the time being constantly etheir at war or being threaten by some of the bigest military power´s in the world something so unreliable like the Chieftain would be dissastress
That extra room in the tank also increases the crew comfort as well and a well rested crew translates to increased combat efficiency. The point here is that while your right about how it seems to make more sense to not design in the area for the dismounts and perhaps make the tank smaller or more protected, that space isn't going to waste.
Military equipment is (should be) designed to not be broken, even by a mid-schooler. Not been in an actual battle situation, but even during training, your equipment has to endure a lot, may it be a vehicle or equipment.
The additional crew space isn't intended to be used in the same way as a IFV. It's the ammunition storage. If a allied tank gets hit and the crew bails out, they can empty most of the ammunition storage and put the crew in there instead. Since the "saviour" tank at that point barely has any ammo left it will get out back to a safe place to drop the (probably) injured crew off and replenish ammo.
@@cejannuzi If you read through the comments above, you will find the way that they 'empty the ammunition', under such situations, is to send it downrange. But, yea, there is still the issue that the storage cases themselves will be blocking most of the space.
Interesting video. A couple of things though. At the beginning, you imply that the Israelis were not sold the Centurion tank. Did you mean Chieftain? The Chieftain was a tank that they wanted to buy, but the British backed out due to political pressure. The Centurion, on the other hand, was used by Israel in very large numbers and was one of their favourite tanks in the 60's and 70's and used by them into the 80's. As a matter of fact, the first prototype of the Merkava was actually a highly modified Centurion! Also, the large area at the back and its door is primarily used for a massive load of ammunition, far larger than competing tanks. In an emergency, the ammo load can be reduced to transport troops or casualties, but it's a very secondary use of the space.
Yeah the Merkava was always known as a multi role MBT. Being a APC and/or battlefield ambulance if need be. The Scottish Koala's video has a more in depth view on this MBT and it's systems.
It was the chieftain that the UK ended up not selling them. They had many centurions. They added local upgrades to them. Israeli centurions were called Shot Kals.
4:00 They did buy centurions. In fact, the Merkava uses a reverse engineered version of the Centurion's running gear. Israel wanted to buy Chieftains before Merkava was developed, but after their crimes against Egypt and Syria, Britain refused to sell to them.
Like everything in use with the IDF it has been well thought out, not like a lot of the crap that the British army has had in the past. I don't think Israel makes any bad military equipment.
Kenny Smith apart from the fact that most of its equipment is extremely situational the merkeva out side of the terrain it's built for well be outperformed by any modern MBT
Not read the Project for a Greater Israel documents? It includes most of Syria, Lebanon and parts of Iraq as well as the theft of Palestine and Gaza. Hence the attempt at regime change and destabilsation of Syria...
beau jeste lol....Yes ... that's why Israel returned the Sinai Straits in the 80s. 3 times the surface all the State of Israel ... and that's why in 1994 Israel gave to "Palestinians" some control of Judea and Samaria .. and in 2005 Israel left Gaza and evacuated Jewish settlements....project for Israel greater lol..... ..You have to learn more .. maybe stupidity pass... Allahu Akbar.. lol Because of ignorance like you people fighting ....And that's sad.
Merkava doctrine we prioritize crew survivability over all because a crew is the most valuable asset Russian tank doctrine:YOOOooooo we have like... a lot of people
Good review - I've personally always liked the look of the Merkava, sleek and deadly. I do think having the capability to be flexible re the troop compartment is a plus rather than a minus though. Been looking forward to this one ever since I suggested it :)
the galil not in use for 20 years I think. It's old. Today the armi uses Tavor as main gun. The Galil or the smaller version called glilon are kind of Ak47.
My dad was a tank crewmen in the yom kipor war. He said the worst threat was a Egyptian hornet missle that was controlled by a wire with a missle and to counter it they fired all their machine guns at the missle.
Who won the Yom Kippur War in your eyes guys? Be honest please. Immo Egypt reached all its objectives and won back the Suez Canal plus the Sinai Peninsula. While Israel the first time hade large casualties and the feeling fighting a new kind of enemy who does not run off.
Great video! I am really happy I found your channel, lots of good info all around. A few comments about this video: 1) The correct pronunciation of the name is with emphasis on the last A. In Hebrew you can have emphasis either on the last syllable or the one before last. In this case its the last. 2) The main design guideline for the tank was not the tank survivability but the crew survivability (this is probably what you meant but this is important). You have to understand the IDF mentality where the live of a single soldier is the most important thing. The compartment in the rear for infantry is part of that mentality. One tank can rescue the injured crew of another and so on. 3) The initial design of the tank was based off the two Chieftain tanks sent by the UK. 4) Merkava MK4 comes with the Trophy defense system as a standard. Sometimes when comparing tanks we look at just the features on paper. This tank was designed with the sole purpose of defending the state of Israel. It is suited to work with the Israeli terrain and with the Israeli mentality (for example I don't think it has any fording ability simply because this is not an issue in the Israeli terrain). Thanks again for making the video, looking forward to your next videos.
The reconfigurable ammo compartment and rear door are great features that give the vehicle flexibility today and lots of options to repurpose the vehicle in the future i.e. IFV, command vehicle. It's probably good for crew morale that there's at least a chance of safety in another vehicle if you're wounded or stranded. It would also be a great way to transport certain assets around a battlefield such as senior commanders, SIGINT operators/gear, special forces. It's always interesting to see how Israel's unique strategic situation translates into military technology solutions. What seems irrational to others makes perfect sense if you're in the IDF.
That rear door not only allows for much greater survivability but also gives the crew a great sense and knowledge of their safety allowing them to act much more aggressively and fearlessly on the battlefield.
ive heard that back in the ninties there was a drill between the Mekavas and Abrams, the Abrams went out of spare parts. not that i underestimate the abrams, it was built for plains and long distance conqure. the merkava built for Rocky areas.
I just recently subscribed to your channel. What brought me here was your videos on Tanks and AFVs IRL. I really like the emphasis of fact and information, and not opinion. These videos are well produced and extremely entertaining/ informative. Great work! you keep making these and I'll keep watching.
I was a Merkava 2B Tank Commander and lived in it. Sorry, but you totally don't get the value of the rear corridor. It's an exit door if the tank is hit, a place to sleep, carry 2 people without giving up anything, carry extra ammo or any other gear, easy and quick way to resupplly ammo.
Imagine that - actually listening to the experienced troops on the front line and not the bubble-headed politicians safe in their ivory towers! What a novel concept!!!
Nice job! I have been fascinated with this vehicle since I first learned of its existence. Currently building a 1/35 scale Merkava IIID and I very much appreciated the video. Cheers!
Front-wheel driven, better than rear mounted drive sprockets, mud on tracks drops off before hitting the drive sprocket lessening the chance of throwing a track
Merkava is by far my favorite tank. Top tier MBT with a rear hatch and room for a few guys. Even looks cool. Do a video on the Sabra. You can see the similarity.
Discovered this video by accident, but really enjoyed it. Even learned some new things despite having worked alongside these beasts for three years (I was in infantry, God forbid I lock myself in a tin can with wheels). Looking forwards you your video on the Trophy System. In the field we called it "Me'el Ruach (Rain Coat)"
No dont write that comment. We are here to talk about tanks and nothing ells. Comments about tanks are awsome Throwing out youre opion about a certian political subject is not welcom here go to a diffrent comment section for that
Matsimus, major props for mentioning the French and British governments refusing to help Israeli troops with getting decent armor. Many fake historians in my country say Israel "refused their offer of tanks for importation," which is a blatant lie. The Merkava partly exists because the Israelis couldn't find anyone to help provide them with tanks. Even in the US, the ones who push their politics into teaching history remain more and more anti-Israeli to the point that there are more PLO sympathizers than ever before. These same haters also still continue to blame Israel for the attack on the World Trade Center! The terrorists were from Saudi Arabia, not Israel.
largol33t1 don't blame all of the US for the leftist extremists who hate Isreal, if it makes you feel any better I can let you in on the worst kept secret ever, they also hate the USA, the country they live in, so you're in good company.
There are three countries I would shed blood for. America, I live here. S. Korea born there. Israel because never again. My father was among those that liberated Buchenwald.
9/11 has Mossad fingerprints all over it. It was probably a Saudi-Mossad-CIA joint effort. You ever look into the 9/11 dancing Israelis? Google it. I dare you!
Isreal already had the Centurion tank and used it to good affect in the 6 day war, Yom Kippour war and the 1982 invasion of Lebenon. It was the Chieftian tank which there General Tal oversaw was going to be supplied to Isreal by England. Due to political pressure from the Arab world which if the Chieftain was supplied would have put trade sanctions into affect. So with Tals knowledge of the Chieftain and they already had the Centurion mixed them together, and then they made the Merkava tank.
I modelled a 3D MkIII back in 2006 in AutoCAD. You learn a lot about tank design doing it in 3D. Took well over a hundred hours. Getting specs, like dimensions and weights on components online was trickier back then. From what I learned, I could confidently put together a 60% complete prototype of my own creation.
Great video of a great tank. Couple of minor things: My understanding is that the normal ammuntion load is stored in the tank bussel at the back of the turret (a la M1) well armoured and sealed away from the crew compartment, EXTRA ammunition can replace the troops in the rear, if nescessary. The Israelis were major users of the Centurion tank, in fact it was their most important tank in 1967 (Yom Kippur war). Anywho..No, always loved the idea of taking dismounts, so many advantages. APCs/ MICVs can often get seperated from tanks in an attack defeating the combined assault. The dismounts can directly defend the tank, while the tank defends them. Perfect combo. The compartment at the rear is multi-purpose as well, as you pointed out. Even can be used as a command centre. I think the emphasis on armour is right, high speed in that terrain and you're just going to throw a track anyway.
It probably makes no sense to you, since you might not be familiar with the battle of combined arms in urban environments. Since the best protection of a armoured vehicle in urban streets is a side and rear guad of infantry, clearing from house to house - the tanks realy becomes a IFV. Thats also why it inherets a build in mortar system (shooting OVER houses).
What he said. It's there so that the fumes from the firing of the shell don't go back into the tank once the breach is opened again to eject the spent shell casing and/or to insert a new round.
Great video! I really appreciated the graphic assembly of the tank's components, and the differences between the models. Extra props to the author, who seems knowledgeable (being a tank mechanic) but not parsimonious. It's hard to believe this- I'm actually going to check out that French tank!
Just something to spark the imagination: Introducing the MK4, the Vanilla tank cost was something around 1.5m$ Today, its something around 6m$ aside from arment and such, just think of the amount of tech installed inside that thing that no-one can know for sure.
I see you're bothered with the troop carrying capability. The answer is very simple: It didn't affect the design process at all. Many people do think it's somewhat of an APC, or think of it as one of its main features, but all the designers ever did (it was at the end of the development process actually) was install the ammo racks in a way that allowed the crew to easily remove them in a matter of minutes, and allow a few soldiers to sit inside. It was VERY uncomfortable for anyone sitting there. You have to squat, ruin your back, and occasionally be stabbed by the spikes on the walls that hold the ammo racks. One person just suggested it during the development after 1973 since the M113 were proven to be highly vulnerable to anything that breathes on them. The movement of the engine to the front allowed freeing up a whole lot of space even without sacrificing any frontal armor, and for a fact, the Merkava is perhaps the roomiest, most comfortable tank to be in. Of course, relatively. Tanks are never comfortable, nor roomy. Bottom line: it was more of a side effect stemming from the design direction at hand. In practice, it isn't used anymore. Improving the protection will be hard. The Merkava 4 already does feature perhaps the thickest top, side, and rear armor to date, utilizing a light NERA composite armor. And only second to the T-14 in terms of frontal armor thickness (750mm), and its systems such as FCS, APU and more, are modular so their upgrading is easy. Therefore while almost every major player in the tank field tries to develop the next generation, Israel doesn't forsee a Merkava 5 anytime in the near future.
How you said missiles are becoming less of a threat due to modern systems. Makes me wonder when we'll be actively looking into kinetic anti-tank again. Mainly kinetic missiles since last time those were explored, the us military found out they just destroyed any current and foreseeable armor system. Problem was they need some range to gain speed and they had pretty much no splash effect, also chemical warheads at the time were still completely effective. But I could see the idea being revisited soon, since a weakness to active defense systems are kinetic rounds. So imagine something as fast as a sabot round, but weighs anywhere from 5 to 10 times more. Thats not something you stop or deflect, instead you just hope it breaks only the vehicle or you get lucky and it misses.
Or we will probably just go for more raw firepower. Railguns and Lasers are now feasible naval armament, won't take long for them to become an option for Tanks as well.
Rik Raptor Wont happen on tanks, they require power packages that a tank simply can't do. Also lasers for military weapons have already pretty much been shot down, because they don't provide anything worth having that a missile or a kinetic gun doesn't have. The exception with a laser is they reach the target almost instantly. But downside is they require a huge amount of power and need a pretty clean line of sight, not to mention they often have to stay on target for a bit. Railguns you wont see on armor, because you must understand those things require a lot of power. Now the low velocity coilguns, for mortar vehicles you might. Since coilguns are much easier to work with and last much longer, and we have already created a few mortars that use such tech. But as for now they provide nothing of benefit, because they are heavier, bigger, more expensive, plus a few other downsides.
***** Possible really. Armata suggests the transition to a hybrid engine. That will give enough energy for electronics, active armor, sensor systems(afar) and the pulse gun. But, the need for new materials and years of research.
Maybe I'm missing something, but when it comes to anti-tank ammunition, modern tanks are usually firing sabot rounds, and I would think that barrel diameter, which you raised as an issue on the Merkava Mk. I and II at around 5:52, would not be that important with sabot rounds. After all, isn't the whole point of the sabot to be substantially narrower than the barrel? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you generally want the penetrating rod to be as narrow as possible without sacrificing strength? And if you need the rod to be a certain minimum thickness, can't you trade off the thickness of the sabot itself at least to some extent to fit inside a narrower barrel? And if the problem is that a lower caliber means a lower volume of propellant, am I wrong to think that that is less important as well, because while that might give you a lower muzzle velocity, a) doesn't air resistance on a projectile increase geometrically as velocity increases, meaning that higher muzzle velocity would only matter at very close ranges, and b) isn't projectile velocity less important than the length, hardness, ductility, density, and strength of the penetrating rod? So what is the downside of a somewhat lower caliber gun when it comes to anti-tank projectiles? And when it comes to anti-infantry projectiles, isn't 105mm more than sufficient? The 75mm gun was considered quite adequate for anti-infantry work during World War II, and while infantry body armor has gotten better since then, I don't think it covers enough of the body to do much good against a high-explosive shell. So what is the problem with a lower caliber gun? Would you please explain that if you have the time? Anyway, another quite interesting video, so thank you.
Hello Matsimus and viewers, using the engine as additional armor seems to be very wise. Though, what are your thoughts about the thermal visibility of the Merkava due to the engine being at the front? Regards, Geoff. Reeks
I really like the looks of this tank and I think there approach has many different factors. One might be what Israel is facing as potential enemies. While the arab countries surrounding them field tanks, most of them are at least a generation older but the real "threat" comes from asynchronious forces which employ infantry and improvised vehicles and explosive devices, fighting mostly in urban areas as it could be seen lately when Iraqi troops went to Mosul taking it back from the IS. While not as effective as a specialized vehicle in narrow streets one extremely good protected tank might be the best sollution. Apart from that they use the same hull for their heavy armored APCs. And for coming to an end, I think Israels size as a nation has to be taken into account, too. While being limited in resources, it's manpower - especially good trained manpower - is the biggest asset.
After a lifetime in the British army in one role or another. My only regret is that I never took time out to join and serve with the Israeli Defence Force. I'm not Jewish or religious in any shape or form. However, I do support Parliamentary Democracies with Universal Suffrage. Israel is the only one in that region and constantly under attack. Their cause is mine too!
At 7:52 the rotating turret appears to brake off one of the aerials from the corner of the tank.. the other 3 (on the remaining 3 corners of the tank seem to be fine and bounce right back up after the turret passes.. i wonder if the one that broke off was installed incorrectly?
The IDF fielded the Centurion for a good number of years and incorporated some of its features into the Merkava. The Mk1 and Mk2 had the British L7 105mm rifled gun, (as did the original M1 Abrams.) You can see all British and US armor from the Bren Carrier to the M60 at the IDF Armor Brigade Museum just outside Jerusalem. Really a good day out.
the internal layout with the "troopcompartment" at the back is sheer genius; it's not merely a troopcompartment, but offers possibility of extracting a crew of a damaged vehicle, carry extra supplies, offer greater comfort for the crew- increasing their time and effectiveness out on the job and it's a safe exit from the vehicle especially in case of emergency- much better than out on top or underneath the tank
I hope the U.S keeps helping Israel . I think they are more than worthy to get what ever help they may need . Not saying they are weak . The Israeli Defense Forces are by no means weak and can definitely stomp a mud hole in anyone dumb enough to pick a fight with them .
Matsimus Gaming So your imperialist country gave my country to the Zionists and you want to keep supporting them? Go f*ck yourself you ignorant douche!
300maze Keep telling yourself that. Palestine lives in the heart of every Palestinian everywhere and always will. David Ben Gurion once said about Palestinians that the old will die and the young will forget - that was in 1947. We'll, the old haven't all died yet and the young have certainly not forgotten. Fighting for freedom and independence is never terrorism. Illegal occupation on the other hand is terrorism.
ok lets assume that palestine will exist on the 1967 borders the palestine country will need israeli resources to survive electricity - all your electricity is coming from israel water - from israel food - from israel good hospitals - only in israel you know that when palestinian country will exist israel wont give anything to the palestinians you will starve to death and wont get any electricity like north korea
and palestinians arent fightining agaisnt the israeli army you murdering civilians shooting rockets on civilians israel only fight hamas that hiding behind civilians like whores you know that the idf is the strongest army in the middle east and you cant win a war against it more than 900,000 ready to fight soldiers thoudnads of armored vehicles biggest and strongest air force in the middle east hundreds of nuclear weapons
Slow down the video - between 7:52 and 7:54 one can clearly see the antenna falling off. When that same spot is compared after a full traverse, one can see that it's still missing, whereas the other antenna's just flailed about.
dicecop i am.sure that soviet tanks have it to. its part of protection. when tank is in battle,where nuclear blast is.in use. if you want try google tank nbc protection. i remeber see t72,which has turett in some kind of textile cover,which is Nbc protection. theese words:" t 72 soviet progeny" type in google. first link.soviet armor blogspot
PSG1JOHN1 if you mean the insulation asbestos used in concrete walls that only became a problem when people tried to remove it normally it would just be locked into the concrete
kris220b No, here in Denmark all schools from the 60's and 70's had it in the roof/ceiling. We had many cases with lung cancer, especially those who worked with it. They never wore protection since they didn't know it was dangerous even though the companies knew it since the 1920's. That's why there was that big purge on companies back in the 1990's
A few points: Great Britain was the main cause for the development of the Merkava. Israel has collaborated with the UK on the development of the Chieftan, and started working on the Merkava after the UK cancelled the deal with Israel to buy the (Israeli - improved ) chieftan .
Second point: always evaluate the tank in its battle environment. The Golan is ~50 km x 20 km. It’s not intended to go from the Saudi desert to Baghdad
Third point: in the Yom Kipur war Israeli tanks evacuated soldiers from the front on top of the tanks, which prevented tanks of fighting and made the people on the tanks vulnerable. Being able to carry them internally makes sense
Fourth point: in 73 many Israeli tanks were hit by ATGMs . Artillery was effective against ATGM units but was not available. Having your own artillery on tanks makes sense
Fifth point: in 73 the ratio of Syrian to Israeli tanks in the Golan was 7:1. The Israelis seen the Syrians coming, but they were out of their range. Having the ability to start knocking out the enemy at a longer range with barrel - launched ATGMs makes sense.
Why do they have such a large gap between the body and the revolving turret when an incoming shell could lodge in between or am I missing something here ?
there is no way in hell this thing is heavily armored. they have had to cut corners somewhere. there is no way in hell you can fit 10 people in a tank and say it has thesame level of protection as a western tank with only 4 people. in the armor equation there is a set level of armor need to protect an individual tank crew and that adds weight. the whole point of autoloaders is to reduce the crew therefore reducing the weight significantly. how the fukk is adding 6 more people into the tank not incurring any penalties. the merkava weighs as much as an abrams goes just as fast or even faster and holds 10 crew. and thats not +6 babies thats +6 fully grown adult men wearing full combat gear with weapons. and jesus h christ how the fukk did they manage to put in a mortar inside the tank. there is no freaking way this tank did not cut corners when designing the amor.
That's what always bothered me, the thing about modern tanks is that composite armour or spaced armour take up a significant amount of space. Yet they seem to have so much amount of space.Seeing how many were lost in the Lebanon war I'd say they might be more vulnerable to shaped charges. As for the other defence characteristics mention, many other tanks already use it. Israel is a small country, they might be experienced militarily and the base design is good, but in the end there are only so much resources and tecnology they can devote to such a large project
it can only fit 6 more troops AFTER all the ammo is removed. I'm sure you could squeeze a few more men into the Abrams as well if you put them where the ammo goes.
I like the design of the turret. And it's capability to carry troops make this already impressively protected vehicle even more flexible considering the small size of the Israelian population (around 10m I think it was). With so few human capital, it's only rational to give armour protection such a huge importance. Especially in a state which is in constant war with it's neighbor.
The door in the back is more for a fast reload of the ammo because they saw that their gunners have a high accuracy but burn through the ammo fast. The transport thing was a nice side effect but it's not the main reason for the door.
The door and crew compartment isn't MAINLY used for carrying troops, but to carry crews from knocked out tanks back to safety.
Sounds like a very specific and limited role for such a versatile space? That's one potential function for sure, but as the video points out, it's multi-purpose.
True! I myself was a "troop"(infantry medic) and took a ride in the compartment back to safety. it's not fun and definatly not the main use. it's a usefull feature IF NEEDED
the mi 28 has a storage compartment for downed crew. it can hold 3 people safely.
Karl P Israel is obsessed with keeping their soldiers alive. You can always build more tanks, but the crew takes 18-20 years to replace.
Risto Mladich But probably not comfortable. ;)
Don't forget the crew suits are air conditioned ... chilled crew works better in the desert ....
Offir Hoffman kool
all up armored vehicles are A/C controlled
AC often comes along with NBC protection
How do they do that? Does each suit have a self-contained chilling unit OR are they hooked up to a main unit? It just sounds cumbersome when in the cramped room of a tank...
Well probobly hooked up to a central one, but it is probably better because they can have hatches open and still be cool.
Technicals aside that tank is beautiful looking
It is beautiful because it works. Form follows function.
You should see it in person, absolutely gorgeous!
@@angus3963:
Have you seen it yourself?
If yes, then lucky you
I want to see it in person as well ._.
I have seen them in person. The Mark 4 is an engineering masterpiece to behold, almost a work of art in steel.
SilencedPotato I think it’s the best design tank in looks
after the merkava finishes its role as a mbt it becomes an apc. reusability ×10
Good point! Thanks for watching! :-)
Matsimus Gaming Chariot amirite?
exact
Currently, they are working on making heavy APCs out of Merkava mk2 going out of service, and chassis for the new howitzer that the IDF will use to replace its old ones
This. Since all of the world hates on russia im gonna say how Israel actually does the right thing. The russians dont just design a brand new system rather just upgrade an old one or reuse it. Israel do it too and look what briliant things they make. I am really astonished by the IDF. :)
Their Trophy anti-missile system is awesome - it's being installed on M2 Abrams now
I thought it was being incorporated into the M1A3, not the A2?
it’s being put on the latest iterations of the M1A2, the C and D as they are now being called. im sure the trophy system will be more itegrated into the M1A3 instead of being more “slapped” on like it is now
I'm so good that other tanks are copying me ;)
@@merkavamkivm5156 It is, isn't it? :)
@@merkavamkivm5156 stfu you're still no match for the glorious Bob Semple tabk
Israel's armour doctrine is based on protection of the crew due to Iareal's relatively low population throughout it's existence, to them there is no point in having a tank without a crew to control it.
Well this kind of is opposite to the infantry doctrine of israel, I served as IDF airborne and i can tell you the doctrine pretty much regards infantry as cannon fodder.
israel have around 8.2 million people, atleast half of that or less than half are doing millitary servic from permanent to national service requirement. they have abundance of men and women to juggle around. their doctrine consists of perpetual state of paranoia against enemies on every side. you can easily cripple israel with spamming tonnes of fire and forget missiles since their country is dense. but they do have good anti air and anti air ballistic counter measure (iron dome)
As it should be!
That Hamas pepe KEK
@@safwansaid5139 "you can easily cripple israel with spamming tonnes of fire" if that were true, then israel would have lost in 1973. it was outnumbered about 10 to 1 in men adn artillery, and 20 to 1 in tanks at the beginning in the northern front
adn even if you don't believe these numbers, if it were so easy, then one of their enemies would have done it already
Haha the turret looks like a mini Millennium Falcon
Peter Tran haha kinda does actually! :-D. tanks for watching! Feel free to subscribe :-)
Or predator alien head
You are anti semitic
@@tearjusensei9921 How are they Anti-Semitic?
@@Type90-IIM you are anti sematic.....get it??? (We cant condemn jews)or you will be call that
I met a Merkava instructor once. She was surprised how much I knew about the tank. There are 4 Merkavas displayed at the Latrun (Yad La Shiryon) tank museum in Israel and one IFV based on the Merkava. Also numerous other tanks ... worth visiting.
4:08 - I do believe Israel used Centurion tanks armed with 105mm gun in the 6 day war
And even more importantly in the Yom-Kippur War as the Scho't Kal, Osprey wrote a rather good little book about it, in the Duel Series, Duel: Centurion vs T-55 - Yom Kippur War 1973.
ospreypublishing.com/centurion-vs-t-55-pb
In the Six day war they still used the Scho't Meteor (Centurion with the original Meteor engine), and they weren't to happy about that engine.
Also they still use engineer vehicles based on the Centurion, the Puma, and allegedly still have their centurion variants in reserve.
Israels Centurions did very well indeed against the Syrian T55's, especially when you consider the odds.
ikabody In the 6 day war one tank commander with 12 tanks held a entire Syrian brigade.
wrong war. you are talking about Avigdor Cahalany. its the yum kippor war
the7observer They used the Centurion in both the 6 day and Yum Kippor, and remains heavily modified in service today wit IDF for secondary tasks such as mobile observation post.
The Merkava fits Israel, As it's not world power. It's goal is to defend the state of Israel. It's mission is to survive and win. Nothing more. This is why the tank was designed to carry troops, so that infantry can be ready to dismount anti tank scouts, recon, anti air defense and even serve as an NBC retreat for infantry. As it's budget is not $300 billion or one that includes intervention into other countries.
I would add. This tank has more tricks up the sleeve then you mentioned. One being laser detection range finding systems that target it. It can pin point just where it come from and release countermeasures to blind it. As well as return fire from not just one source but all on the field of battle. As the systems are integrated division wide. Plus a few more.
Claude Rains yeah “home security and border defence” but the border is continually moving outwards into land that is not theirs by law nor by right🤔
Their claimed capital was directly central in the Palestinian land divided up by the UN in 1947 as Palestine they just invaded and annexed their way to it
Snoop Doge Jews had their home there long before the Arabs, the land was shit and not wanted until the Jewish people improved it over the years, then the Arabs decided they wanted what wasn’t theirs as usual and have since then.
Wow!
@@aaronoriain229 Losers lies !
Engine on front, modular armour, APS system, able to carry up to 4 soldier´s, one of the few Western MBT´s to carry and use missile systems with his main gun wich is a 120mm, good mobility and of-road capabilities and excelent combat field management and firing computerr systems, extensive use in combat and batle proven, the Trophy APS system was also extensively used during Protective Edge in 2014 were it defeated several Kornet ATGM´s and RPG-27´s, probably some of the most deadly anti-tank weapons in the world, the Merkava is my favorite
Leandro Ribeiro it's a great tank for sure :-) I would say the most battle proven tank in the world for sure. Thanks for watching and have a great day!!
You 2 mate
***** Yah, its like, don´t sell them to the Israelis because it will worsen the relations with Israel-Arab world instead we are going to sell them to the Arab world ad everthing will be ok !!
At that point, Israel sayd, listen, we don´t wan´t your stupid weapons with your stupid politics and we are sick of the low standard´s your tanks provide us with so we are going to do our own tank and you are going to eat our dust (litteraly)
***** Yah, Israel was at the time being constantly etheir at war or being threaten by some of the bigest military power´s in the world something so unreliable like the Chieftain would be dissastress
That extra room in the tank also increases the crew comfort as well and a well rested crew translates to increased combat efficiency. The point here is that while your right about how it seems to make more sense to not design in the area for the dismounts and perhaps make the tank smaller or more protected, that space isn't going to waste.
As a Merkava mk. 3 LOADER I can say I love this tank it preforms great!
At 7:52 the antenna snaps right off xD
Yeah lmao saw that and spat my drink
Not an antenna. It's a rubber stick to show the driver where are the corners of the tank while driving.
Still feel like it's suppose to not fall off though.
Viktoriya Serebryakov Often soldiers with the brain of a mid-school teenager play with and damage military equipment. This is the outcome.
Military equipment is (should be) designed to not be broken, even by a mid-schooler. Not been in an actual battle situation, but even during training, your equipment has to endure a lot, may it be a vehicle or equipment.
Possibly one of the coolest tank designs I've ever seen.
The additional crew space isn't intended to be used in the same way as a IFV. It's the ammunition storage. If a allied tank gets hit and the crew bails out, they can empty most of the ammunition storage and put the crew in there instead. Since the "saviour" tank at that point barely has any ammo left it will get out back to a safe place to drop the (probably) injured crew off and replenish ammo.
@@cejannuzi If you read through the comments above, you will find the way that they 'empty the ammunition', under such situations, is to send it downrange. But, yea, there is still the issue that the storage cases themselves will be blocking most of the space.
The Merkava is definitely one of my favorite MBTs in the world
Interesting video. A couple of things though. At the beginning, you imply that the Israelis were not sold the Centurion tank. Did you mean Chieftain? The Chieftain was a tank that they wanted to buy, but the British backed out due to political pressure. The Centurion, on the other hand, was used by Israel in very large numbers and was one of their favourite tanks in the 60's and 70's and used by them into the 80's. As a matter of fact, the first prototype of the Merkava was actually a highly modified Centurion! Also, the large area at the back and its door is primarily used for a massive load of ammunition, far larger than competing tanks. In an emergency, the ammo load can be reduced to transport troops or casualties, but it's a very secondary use of the space.
Yeah the Merkava was always known as a multi role MBT. Being a APC and/or battlefield ambulance if need be. The Scottish Koala's video has a more in depth view on this MBT and it's systems.
It was the chieftain that the UK ended up not selling them. They had many centurions. They added local upgrades to them. Israeli centurions were called Shot Kals.
4:00 They did buy centurions. In fact, the Merkava uses a reverse engineered version of the Centurion's running gear. Israel wanted to buy Chieftains before Merkava was developed, but after their crimes against Egypt and Syria, Britain refused to sell to them.
i was actually shocked at the amount of research that went into this... color me impressed!
liked and subbed!
Like everything in use with the IDF it has been well thought out, not like a lot of the crap that the British army has had in the past. I don't think Israel makes any bad military equipment.
Kenny Smith apart from the fact that most of its equipment is extremely situational the merkeva out side of the terrain it's built for well be outperformed by any modern MBT
I don't think Israel has any plans of fighting out sided of its local area so as i said, the tank is well thought out and is perfect for their needs.
Not read the Project for a Greater Israel documents? It includes most of Syria, Lebanon and parts of Iraq as well as the theft of Palestine and Gaza.
Hence the attempt at regime change and destabilsation of Syria...
beau jeste lol....Yes ... that's why Israel returned the Sinai Straits in the 80s. 3 times the surface all the State of Israel ... and that's why in 1994 Israel gave to "Palestinians" some control of Judea and Samaria .. and in 2005 Israel left Gaza and evacuated Jewish settlements....project for Israel greater lol..... ..You have to learn more .. maybe stupidity pass... Allahu Akbar.. lol Because of ignorance like you people fighting ....And that's sad.
beau jeste thats a conspiracy...
Merkava doctrine we prioritize crew survivability over all because a crew is the most valuable asset
Russian tank doctrine:YOOOooooo we have like... a lot of people
Kick start the soviet anthem dammit
Not anymore since tank training became much more expensive and complex
Russia population has been decreasing since WW2.
I do like your rhetoric concerning weapons procurement, absolutely agree with you 100%.
Good review - I've personally always liked the look of the Merkava, sleek and deadly. I do think having the capability to be flexible re the troop compartment is a plus rather than a minus though. Been looking forward to this one ever since I suggested it :)
"Awesome to listen to your troops" that's pretty cool that Israel does that my dad was one of the first people that tested the galil.
Jesus Anaya jesus = judean.
@Jesus Anaya, Waiting till UA-cam sees all your comments and you get banned. Trash like you shouldn't be allowed near a public forum.
Galil's are great but a bit heavy, no?
doctim111 galils are retired for over two decades now. So I can't say. The current x-95 is 3.9kg
the galil not in use for 20 years I think. It's old. Today the armi uses Tavor as main gun. The Galil or the smaller version called glilon are kind of Ak47.
My dad was a tank crewmen in the yom kipor war. He said the worst threat was a Egyptian hornet missle that was controlled by a wire with a missle and to counter it they fired all their machine guns at the missle.
so it's a missile controlled by another missile with a wire in between?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9M14_Malyutka
My father was there too, in a Patton M60. The missile you're referring to is the AT Sager, nasty stuff.
Who won the Yom Kippur War in your eyes guys? Be honest please.
Immo Egypt reached all its objectives and won back the Suez Canal plus the Sinai Peninsula. While Israel the first time hade large casualties and the feeling fighting a new kind of enemy who does not run off.
The egyptians cheated... and yet... still lost the war... now that's talented...
Great video! I am really happy I found your channel, lots of good info all around. A few comments about this video:
1) The correct pronunciation of the name is with emphasis on the last A. In Hebrew you can have emphasis either on the last syllable or the one before last. In this case its the last.
2) The main design guideline for the tank was not the tank survivability but the crew survivability (this is probably what you meant but this is important). You have to understand the IDF mentality where the live of a single soldier is the most important thing. The compartment in the rear for infantry is part of that mentality. One tank can rescue the injured crew of another and so on.
3) The initial design of the tank was based off the two Chieftain tanks sent by the UK.
4) Merkava MK4 comes with the Trophy defense system as a standard.
Sometimes when comparing tanks we look at just the features on paper. This tank was designed with the sole purpose of defending the state of Israel. It is suited to work with the Israeli terrain and with the Israeli mentality (for example I don't think it has any fording ability simply because this is not an issue in the Israeli terrain).
Thanks again for making the video, looking forward to your next videos.
The reconfigurable ammo compartment and rear door are great features that give the vehicle flexibility today and lots of options to repurpose the vehicle in the future i.e. IFV, command vehicle. It's probably good for crew morale that there's at least a chance of safety in another vehicle if you're wounded or stranded. It would also be a great way to transport certain assets around a battlefield such as senior commanders, SIGINT operators/gear, special forces. It's always interesting to see how Israel's unique strategic situation translates into military technology solutions. What seems irrational to others makes perfect sense if you're in the IDF.
That rear door not only allows for much greater survivability but also gives the crew a great sense and knowledge of their safety allowing them to act much more aggressively and fearlessly on the battlefield.
Credit where it's due, I like it. Well done Israel.
I'm currently an M1 tank driver and when we were learning V ID in training i fell in love with the Merkava. Dying to one day drive that beast.
ive heard that back in the ninties there was a drill between the Mekavas and Abrams, the Abrams went out of spare parts.
not that i underestimate the abrams, it was built for plains and long distance conqure. the merkava built for Rocky areas.
I just recently subscribed to your channel. What brought me here was your videos on Tanks and AFVs IRL. I really like the emphasis of fact and information, and not opinion. These videos are well produced and extremely entertaining/ informative. Great work! you keep making these and I'll keep watching.
ElvinSonofMad thanks so much! Really glad you liked it! Thanks for following me and stay tuned for more. Have a great day!
I was a Merkava 2B Tank Commander and lived in it.
Sorry, but you totally don't get the value of the rear corridor.
It's an exit door if the tank is hit, a place to sleep, carry 2 people without giving up anything, carry extra ammo or any other gear, easy and quick way to resupplly ammo.
Merkava is one of my favorite main battle tanks
Imagine that - actually listening to the experienced troops on the front line and not the bubble-headed politicians safe in their ivory towers! What a novel concept!!!
This is a tank,love merkava,love Israel army products like the new galil 7,62
Anyone noticed at 7:52 the antenna fell off? XD
Dylan Cao Its not an antena is an indicator to help the crew orient the turret better...
Not to orient the turret, its to know more precisely the tank dimensiones and where each corner ends.
yes, but in merkava 4 it is a different structure
Nice job! I have been fascinated with this vehicle since I first learned of its existence. Currently building a 1/35 scale Merkava IIID and I very much appreciated the video. Cheers!
By far The best review I’ve seen on the Merkava so far.
2:52 - Israel also has had an informal "understanding" with Jordan since 1967, followed by an official peace agreement in 1994.
I always loved the merkava. Its intimidating and cool at the same time.
Front-wheel driven, better than rear mounted drive sprockets, mud on tracks drops off before hitting the drive sprocket lessening the chance of throwing a track
Merkava is by far my favorite tank. Top tier MBT with a rear hatch and room for a few guys. Even looks cool. Do a video on the Sabra. You can see the similarity.
im gonna serve in one of these in 3 years or maybe even the next merkava :)
To kill palestinian children?
@@crookim exactly buddy can’t wait
@@fishgaming9818 more like their parents who throw their kids into gunfire and then screech out for the media.
@@fishgaming9818 it's not a warcrime if you can't get caught.
But tbh I really wish you good luck when you start serving under the international *idiots* that call themselves the Media
Are you kidding, the troop transport functionality is my favourite feature!
Awesome vid as always! I rly like ur tank overviews :D
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it :-) Have a great day! :-D
Matsimus Gaming Thanks. You too.
Love these tank reviews :) subscribed
Discovered this video by accident, but really enjoyed it. Even learned some new things despite having worked alongside these beasts for three years (I was in infantry, God forbid I lock myself in a tin can with wheels).
Looking forwards you your video on the Trophy System. In the field we called it "Me'el Ruach (Rain Coat)"
Aren't the chains and balls to protect the rear of the turret from RPG's and being a shot trap?
Yup
No dont write that comment. We are here to talk about tanks and nothing ells.
Comments about tanks are awsome
Throwing out youre opion about a certian political subject is not welcom here go to a diffrent comment section for that
True that
For a video that actually mentions Israel, it's actually pretty tame around here.
@@foxtrot1-5 or Neo-Fascists and Assad apologists. We are very lucky.
PS Merry Xmas
@@appleislander8536 Nor neocons and warmongering warhawks.
Matsimus, major props for mentioning the French and British governments refusing to help Israeli troops with getting decent armor. Many fake historians in my country say Israel "refused their offer of tanks for importation," which is a blatant lie. The Merkava partly exists because the Israelis couldn't find anyone to help provide them with tanks. Even in the US, the ones who push their politics into teaching history remain more and more anti-Israeli to the point that there are more PLO sympathizers than ever before. These same haters also still continue to blame Israel for the attack on the World Trade Center! The terrorists were from Saudi Arabia, not Israel.
largol33t1 don't blame all of the US for the leftist extremists who hate Isreal, if it makes you feel any better I can let you in on the worst kept secret ever, they also hate the USA, the country they live in, so you're in good company.
There are three countries I would shed blood for. America, I live here. S. Korea born there. Israel because never again. My father was among those that liberated Buchenwald.
Well, at least you don't live somewhere that doesn't exist (australia).
9/11 has Mossad fingerprints all over it. It was probably a Saudi-Mossad-CIA joint effort. You ever look into the 9/11 dancing Israelis? Google it. I dare you!
Of course you saw it on the web. Has to be true.
Isreal already had the Centurion tank and used it to good affect in the 6 day war, Yom Kippour war and the 1982 invasion of Lebenon. It was the Chieftian tank which there General Tal oversaw was going to be supplied to Isreal by England. Due to political pressure from the Arab world which if the Chieftain was supplied would have put trade sanctions into affect. So with Tals knowledge of the Chieftain and they already had the Centurion mixed them together, and then they made the Merkava tank.
I modelled a 3D MkIII back in 2006 in AutoCAD. You learn a lot about tank design doing it in 3D. Took well over a hundred hours. Getting specs, like dimensions and weights on components online was trickier back then. From what I learned, I could confidently put together a 60% complete prototype of my own creation.
One of my favorite MBTs, amazing concept.
Great video of a great tank. Couple of minor things: My understanding is that the normal ammuntion load is stored in the tank bussel at the back of the turret (a la M1) well armoured and sealed away from the crew compartment, EXTRA ammunition can replace the troops in the rear, if nescessary. The Israelis were major users of the Centurion tank, in fact it was their most important tank in 1967 (Yom Kippur war).
Anywho..No, always loved the idea of taking dismounts, so many advantages. APCs/ MICVs can often get seperated from tanks in an attack defeating the combined assault. The dismounts can directly defend the tank, while the tank defends them. Perfect combo.
The compartment at the rear is multi-purpose as well, as you pointed out. Even can be used as a command centre. I think the emphasis on armour is right, high speed in that terrain and you're just going to throw a track anyway.
Karl P Yeah 12 Israeli tanks held the entire north from being taken by a Syrian brigade for 3 days before being reinforced.
It's not 1967 no more dude..... check south Lebanon 2006 you'll see what I mean loll
have you served in the armed forces of your country?
1967 was the 6 Day War. The Yom Kippur war was 1973.
Merkava mk 4 driverr here
רומן מיצק thank you for your service
anshul bhardwaj israel doesnt have many swamps lol
רומן מיצק Did you fight in the 2006 war in Lebanon?
Russian ATGM engenier here, can we talk a little bit about your armor ? xD
we dont have swamps in israel :)
Israel is not in a state of war with jordan
Their goverment know that working with israel is better than going against it. Their people on the other hand are influenced by islamic brotherhood.
neither egypt nor jordan are in a favor of war with Israel. even saudi wants a secret cooperation with 'em just to piss of the iranians
Cant find the entrancesong name. Can you please tell the name of the first track in these clip?
Greatings. :)
At 0:39 it shows a clip of one of the Magach tanks based on the M60, not a Merkava.
It probably makes no sense to you, since you might not be familiar with the battle of combined arms in urban environments. Since the best protection of a armoured vehicle in urban streets is a side and rear guad of infantry, clearing from house to house - the tanks realy becomes a IFV. Thats also why it inherets a build in mortar system (shooting OVER houses).
Johann Koenitz
Good luck shooting a mortar in an urban area. (With many citizens)
ori kojokro Tell this to the IDF.
How come modern tanks have a bulge in the middle of the barrel?
I believe thats a weight to counter balance the barrel with the breech.
The buldge hosts a gas deflecter
It's a fume extractor. An annular piston device pulls the gun smoke forward out of the barrel when the gun returns after the recoil.
What he said. It's there so that the fumes from the firing of the shell don't go back into the tank once the breach is opened again to eject the spent shell casing and/or to insert a new round.
Ah yes you can see it at 0:35. I belive it was a counter balance on many earlier British tanks though.
The most beautiful tank in the world. T-90 is second.
Thanks :D
Great video! I really appreciated the graphic assembly of the tank's components, and the differences between the models. Extra props to the author, who seems knowledgeable (being a tank mechanic) but not parsimonious. It's hard to believe this- I'm actually going to check out that French tank!
Just something to spark the imagination:
Introducing the MK4, the Vanilla tank cost was something around 1.5m$
Today, its something around 6m$
aside from arment and such, just think of the amount of tech installed inside that thing that no-one can know for sure.
I see you're bothered with the troop carrying capability. The answer is very simple: It didn't affect the design process at all.
Many people do think it's somewhat of an APC, or think of it as one of its main features, but all the designers ever did (it was at the end of the development process actually) was install the ammo racks in a way that allowed the crew to easily remove them in a matter of minutes, and allow a few soldiers to sit inside.
It was VERY uncomfortable for anyone sitting there. You have to squat, ruin your back, and occasionally be stabbed by the spikes on the walls that hold the ammo racks.
One person just suggested it during the development after 1973 since the M113 were proven to be highly vulnerable to anything that breathes on them.
The movement of the engine to the front allowed freeing up a whole lot of space even without sacrificing any frontal armor, and for a fact, the Merkava is perhaps the roomiest, most comfortable tank to be in. Of course, relatively. Tanks are never comfortable, nor roomy.
Bottom line: it was more of a side effect stemming from the design direction at hand. In practice, it isn't used anymore.
Improving the protection will be hard. The Merkava 4 already does feature perhaps the thickest top, side, and rear armor to date, utilizing a light NERA composite armor. And only second to the T-14 in terms of frontal armor thickness (750mm), and its systems such as FCS, APU and more, are modular so their upgrading is easy. Therefore while almost every major player in the tank field tries to develop the next generation, Israel doesn't forsee a Merkava 5 anytime in the near future.
How you said missiles are becoming less of a threat due to modern systems. Makes me wonder when we'll be actively looking into kinetic anti-tank again. Mainly kinetic missiles since last time those were explored, the us military found out they just destroyed any current and foreseeable armor system. Problem was they need some range to gain speed and they had pretty much no splash effect, also chemical warheads at the time were still completely effective. But I could see the idea being revisited soon, since a weakness to active defense systems are kinetic rounds. So imagine something as fast as a sabot round, but weighs anywhere from 5 to 10 times more. Thats not something you stop or deflect, instead you just hope it breaks only the vehicle or you get lucky and it misses.
Active-reactive shell adjustable in flight? perhaps in the future
Or we will probably just go for more raw firepower. Railguns and Lasers are now feasible naval armament, won't take long for them to become an option for Tanks as well.
Rik Raptor
Wont happen on tanks, they require power packages that a tank simply can't do. Also lasers for military weapons have already pretty much been shot down, because they don't provide anything worth having that a missile or a kinetic gun doesn't have. The exception with a laser is they reach the target almost instantly. But downside is they require a huge amount of power and need a pretty clean line of sight, not to mention they often have to stay on target for a bit.
Railguns you wont see on armor, because you must understand those things require a lot of power. Now the low velocity coilguns, for mortar vehicles you might. Since coilguns are much easier to work with and last much longer, and we have already created a few mortars that use such tech. But as for now they provide nothing of benefit, because they are heavier, bigger, more expensive, plus a few other downsides.
***** Possible really. Armata suggests the transition to a hybrid engine. That will give enough energy for electronics, active armor, sensor systems(afar) and the pulse gun. But, the need for new materials and years of research.
***** What is implemented now is a compromise between price and capabilities of the industry.
"I hate that tank!" - a CSAT soldier
Can I fire at him, sir?
You are anti sematic
@@tearjusensei9921 I am a German!
So sink about it for yourself.
How do you not have that many subscribers? Your videos are amazing! I'll do what I can to represent your channel more!
Impressive Stuff for a nation of only 8-9 million people.
Keep it up! Dont let others take away your country. Greetings from Germany and Poland.
Love the flying saucer like turret.
armedman.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/obekt-279-11.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/Object_279_%28tank%29.JPG
ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Объект_279
dafuq
im a merkava mk4 driver its all fun and games until u have to work maitance on this huge hunk of metal
רומן מיצק that tank is shit
shit is what ur mother brought to the world when she gave birth to u
רומן מיצק wow the jewish ass zoinest is so butthurt now we are talking about shitty israeli tanks not mothers. even the t 90 is better then merkava.
15.00 Latrum museum, i have been on top of that Merkava IV
Diego Apalategui Me too!
Maybe I'm missing something, but when it comes to anti-tank ammunition, modern tanks are usually firing sabot rounds, and I would think that barrel diameter, which you raised as an issue on the Merkava Mk. I and II at around 5:52, would not be that important with sabot rounds. After all, isn't the whole point of the sabot to be substantially narrower than the barrel? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you generally want the penetrating rod to be as narrow as possible without sacrificing strength? And if you need the rod to be a certain minimum thickness, can't you trade off the thickness of the sabot itself at least to some extent to fit inside a narrower barrel? And if the problem is that a lower caliber means a lower volume of propellant, am I wrong to think that that is less important as well, because while that might give you a lower muzzle velocity, a) doesn't air resistance on a projectile increase geometrically as velocity increases, meaning that higher muzzle velocity would only matter at very close ranges, and b) isn't projectile velocity less important than the length, hardness, ductility, density, and strength of the penetrating rod? So what is the downside of a somewhat lower caliber gun when it comes to anti-tank projectiles? And when it comes to anti-infantry projectiles, isn't 105mm more than sufficient? The 75mm gun was considered quite adequate for anti-infantry work during World War II, and while infantry body armor has gotten better since then, I don't think it covers enough of the body to do much good against a high-explosive shell. So what is the problem with a lower caliber gun? Would you please explain that if you have the time?
Anyway, another quite interesting video, so thank you.
Hello Matsimus and viewers, using the engine as additional armor seems to be very wise. Though, what are your thoughts about the thermal visibility of the Merkava due to the engine being at the front?
Regards,
Geoff. Reeks
Sexiest tank in the world! :)
Julius Kačenauskas it looks pretty amazing! I look at it like a Porsche compared to a heavy duty truck of a Abrams lol thanks for watching!!
T-14 is the Sexiest tank in the world
Merkava fucked Russian Anti Tank missile in 2006 by Hezbollah
No
am i the only one who finds the abrams extremely well designed and sexy?
I really like the looks of this tank and I think there approach has many different factors. One might be what Israel is facing as potential enemies. While the arab countries surrounding them field tanks, most of them are at least a generation older but the real "threat" comes from asynchronious forces which employ infantry and improvised vehicles and explosive devices, fighting mostly in urban areas as it could be seen lately when Iraqi troops went to Mosul taking it back from the IS. While not as effective as a specialized vehicle in narrow streets one extremely good protected tank might be the best sollution. Apart from that they use the same hull for their heavy armored APCs. And for coming to an end, I think Israels size as a nation has to be taken into account, too. While being limited in resources, it's manpower - especially good trained manpower - is the biggest asset.
lol the lebanese decimated the merkava in 2006 war. Absolutely destroyed it's reputation
After a lifetime in the British army in one role or another. My only regret is that I never took time out to join and serve with the Israeli Defence Force. I'm not Jewish or religious in any shape or form. However, I do support Parliamentary Democracies with Universal Suffrage. Israel is the only one in that region and constantly under attack. Their cause is mine too!
oh fuck lol....thats just stupid....neither side is worth 2 shekles i hope they kill each other off...
So the Palestinians get to vote in Israeli elections, do they?
Heya Matt, just a question, have you got any information on the IDF PEREH Tank mate, as I'd like to know more about it, if possible please?
At 7:52 the rotating turret appears to brake off one of the aerials from the corner of the tank.. the other 3 (on the remaining 3 corners of the tank seem to be fine and bounce right back up after the turret passes.. i wonder if the one that broke off was installed incorrectly?
"Matsimus Gaming" do you actually game? lol
Raio Verusia check out my channel and find out for yourself :-)
Awesome tank!!!
Combat proven. The ultimate test!!
The IDF fielded the Centurion for a good number of years and incorporated some of its features into the Merkava. The Mk1 and Mk2 had the British L7 105mm rifled gun, (as did the original M1 Abrams.) You can see all British and US armor from the Bren Carrier to the M60 at the IDF Armor Brigade Museum just outside Jerusalem. Really a good day out.
the internal layout with the "troopcompartment" at the back is sheer genius; it's not merely a troopcompartment, but offers possibility of extracting a crew of a damaged vehicle, carry extra supplies, offer greater comfort for the crew- increasing their time and effectiveness out on the job and it's a safe exit from the vehicle especially in case of emergency- much better than out on top or underneath the tank
I hope the U.S keeps helping Israel . I think they are more than worthy to get what ever help they may need . Not saying they are weak . The Israeli Defense Forces are by no means weak and can definitely stomp a mud hole in anyone dumb enough to pick a fight with them .
Agreed :-) They should be supported. Thanks for watching!
Matsimus Gaming So your imperialist country gave my country to the Zionists and you want to keep supporting them? Go f*ck yourself you ignorant douche!
300maze Keep telling yourself that. Palestine lives in the heart of every Palestinian everywhere and always will. David Ben Gurion once said about Palestinians that the old will die and the young will forget - that was in 1947. We'll, the old haven't all died yet and the young have certainly not forgotten.
Fighting for freedom and independence is never terrorism. Illegal occupation on the other hand is terrorism.
ok
lets assume that palestine will exist on the 1967 borders
the palestine country will need israeli resources to survive
electricity - all your electricity is coming from israel
water - from israel
food - from israel
good hospitals - only in israel
you know that when palestinian country will exist
israel wont give anything to the palestinians
you will starve to death and wont get any electricity
like north korea
and palestinians arent fightining agaisnt the israeli army
you murdering civilians
shooting rockets on civilians
israel only fight hamas that hiding behind civilians like whores
you know that the idf is the strongest army in the middle east and you cant win a war against it
more than 900,000 ready to fight soldiers
thoudnads of armored vehicles
biggest and strongest air force in the middle east
hundreds of nuclear weapons
xD
At 7:54 the Merkava knocks off one of it's antenna - guess they forgot to secure it properly :D
Slow down the video - between 7:52 and 7:54 one can clearly see the antenna falling off.
When that same spot is compared after a full traverse, one can see that it's still missing, whereas the other antenna's just flailed about.
At 7:55 you can actually see it lying on the ground in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen :)
Haha I didnt notice that lol! Thats funny. Thanks for watching! :-)
they are just a visual refference of the tank's physical border for the commander or driver, just pieces of hard rubber.
It's not an antenna though. Antennas are all on the turret.
7:52 lol they just broke their antennae
those border defining thingies break all the time...
Why do youtubers always show magach7/6 (m60 modification) in merkava videos?
The door in the back is not mainly for troops, but for ammunition fast in the back, if empty
Hey any warthunder lads here
I just started my 2nd I-180s this morning. :D
No and yes
Finished 2nd on to 3rd... merkava in 2 days hype
ISRAEL NOW AND FOREVER ❤
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS NOW AND FOREVER ❤
That's how to get hate comments!
Though legitimately, Israel and Palestine should both have the right to exist.
Asbestos clothing? Say hi to the cancer doctors for me
as long as its sealed withing something else
and does not flake off, its completely fine
dicecop i am.sure that soviet tanks have it to. its part of protection. when tank is in battle,where nuclear blast is.in use. if you want try google tank nbc protection. i remeber see t72,which has turett in some kind of textile cover,which is Nbc protection. theese words:" t 72 soviet progeny" type in google. first link.soviet armor blogspot
PSG1JOHN1
if you mean the insulation asbestos used in concrete walls
that only became a problem when people tried to remove it
normally it would just be locked into the concrete
kris220b
No, here in Denmark all schools from the 60's and 70's had it in the roof/ceiling. We had many cases with lung cancer, especially those who worked with it. They never wore protection since they didn't know it was dangerous even though the companies knew it since the 1920's. That's why there was that big purge on companies back in the 1990's
dicecop nå så ved mand det
ved nok mere om resten af kloden end denmark
A few points: Great Britain was the main cause for the development of the Merkava. Israel has collaborated with the UK on the development of the Chieftan, and started working on the Merkava after the UK cancelled the deal with Israel to buy the (Israeli - improved ) chieftan .
Second point: always evaluate the tank in its battle environment. The Golan is ~50 km x 20 km. It’s not intended to go from the Saudi desert to Baghdad
Third point: in the Yom Kipur war Israeli tanks evacuated soldiers from the front on top of the tanks, which prevented tanks of fighting and made the people on the tanks vulnerable. Being able to carry them internally makes sense
Fourth point: in 73 many Israeli tanks were hit by ATGMs . Artillery was effective against ATGM units but was not available. Having your own artillery on tanks makes sense
Fifth point: in 73 the ratio of Syrian to Israeli tanks in the Golan was 7:1. The Israelis seen the Syrians coming, but they were out of their range. Having the ability to start knocking out the enemy at a longer range with barrel - launched ATGMs makes sense.
Why do they have such a large gap between the body and the revolving turret when an incoming shell could lodge in between or am I missing something here ?
The Six day war still makes me laugh.
They need to award the loosers... fastest defeat in any battles... they won gold
@@littlebigfish9205 fools gold?
Blady fools' gold
there is no way in hell this thing is heavily armored. they have had to cut corners somewhere.
there is no way in hell you can fit 10 people in a tank and say it has thesame level of protection as a western tank with only 4 people.
in the armor equation there is a set level of armor need to protect an individual tank crew and that adds weight.
the whole point of autoloaders is to reduce the crew therefore reducing the weight significantly.
how the fukk is adding 6 more people into the tank not incurring any penalties.
the merkava weighs as much as an abrams goes just as fast or even faster and holds 10 crew. and thats not +6 babies thats +6 fully grown adult men wearing full combat gear with weapons.
and jesus h christ how the fukk did they manage to put in a mortar inside the tank.
there is no freaking way this tank did not cut corners when designing the amor.
East South They remove 90% of the ammo.
You can't really carry full gear, just lightly armed infantry at the expense of ammunition/supplies.
That's what always bothered me, the thing about modern tanks is that composite armour or spaced armour take up a significant amount of space. Yet they seem to have so much amount of space.Seeing how many were lost in the Lebanon war I'd say they might be more vulnerable to shaped charges. As for the other defence characteristics mention, many other tanks already use it.
Israel is a small country, they might be experienced militarily and the base design is good, but in the end there are only so much resources and tecnology they can devote to such a large project
4 mk4's were lost in lebanon that was before the mk4m which increased the armor under the tank and extended the shield
it can only fit 6 more troops AFTER all the ammo is removed. I'm sure you could squeeze a few more men into the Abrams as well if you put them where the ammo goes.
Hezbollah easily destroyed Israel's pride, the multi million dollar Merkava tank with $27.000 missiles in Lebanon in 2006. What a humiliation!
I like the design of the turret. And it's capability to carry troops make this already impressively protected vehicle even more flexible considering the small size of the Israelian population (around 10m I think it was). With so few human capital, it's only rational to give armour protection such a huge importance. Especially in a state which is in constant war with it's neighbor.
The door in the back is more for a fast reload of the ammo because they saw that their gunners have a high accuracy but burn through the ammo fast. The transport thing was a nice side effect but it's not the main reason for the door.