$7.95 Museum Ordnance Special Number 12 Merkava Mk II and Mk III Israeli Main Battle Tank Shlomo YoffeOverall from view of a Merkava MA III (Black ID. Note the empty IS-6 moe dscharger Overall rearview ofa Merkana Mk I (Block I). FRONT COVER: Merkava Mk Il Photo cour. 1esy of General sali Tals office BACK COVER TOP: Merkaoa MEI belonging the 7th Armoured Brigade. BACK COVER BOTTOM: Merksoa MEIIl, Photo courtesy of General Israeli Tal’sofce. Merkava Mk II and Mk III Israeli Main Battle Tank By Shlomo Yorfe Published by Darlington Productions, Inc. P.O. Box 5884 Darlington, Maryland 21034 Copyright 1996, Allrights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. For more information on this and other Darlington Productions publications, Write to the address above,Merkava Mk II and Mk III Israeli Main Battle Tank ‘The concept of the Merkava can date backas far as 1956 when the newly born Israeli De- fenve Force (IDF) Armoured Corps started placing more value on survivability of a ‘main battle tank (MBT) than on the stan- dardsof mobility, speed, and firepower. Over the years the concept of survivability was ‘experimented with and implemented piece- ‘meal in various MBT platforms. Most nota- bly the Centurion where additional external armor plates were added to locations on the hulland turret, Alsotheadventand deploy- ‘ment of “Blazer” (reactive) armor to all IDE BT's is another indication of this doctrine. ‘The real beginnings of the Merkava can be traced to 1966. At that time the British government had sent two Chieftains to Is- rael for evaluation. This project was under- taken in extremesecrecy. Both vehicles were tested in the sands of the southern deserts and the Golan area. Initial results were less than spectacular and the IDF realized that ‘modifications would have to be made to the vehicles to meet IDF and local climate and ‘operational requirements. ‘After the testing was complete, negotia~ tions were entered into between Israeli and the UK. to produce modified Chieftains. Shortly thereafter, the Six-Day War erupted terminating the negotiations. TheChieftains were secreted into the heart of Israel and returned after the end of the war. ‘Thissituation,and thepossiblefutureof an economic and arms embargo of Israel led to a national policy decision to develop wholly Israeli-produced major weaponssys- tems, Thelistoftheseislong, but someofthe major examples have been the “Reshev” missile patrol boat, “Kfir” aircraft, and of ‘course the Merkava MBT. ‘The person tasked with the responsibil- ity of developing the first Israeli-built MBT was General Israel Tal. A hero ofthe Six-Day War and considered the “Tanker’s Tanker,” General Tal sot to work on designing a tank that emphasized “survivability first, then firepower, and lastly speed and maneuver ability: Actual work began in 1969 with the vehicle's development being “compartmen- talized” meaning that several team were working on various aspects ofthe vehicle in solitude. This not only provided security but also reduced the overall cost of the pro- gram. When components were completed, they were married to each other by the final design team. ‘The 1973 war wasa pivotal point for the projast. After enduring themassivecasualty loss of Israeli tankers and the destruction of hundredsof vehicles, thedecision was made to go head long into thedevelopment of the “first” Israeli tank, ‘The first “public” sighting of the Merkava, Hebrew for Chariot, was in 1978, Numerous design concepts, test beds, and prototypes had been tested in the years be- fore that. Some of the more notable types included a plywood mockup onaCenturion ‘chassis and an early Merkava chassis sport- ing an M-48 turret. ‘Through the following years, between 1078 and 1982. the Merkava was continu- ously refined from the production prototype seen at the 1978 Independence Day celebra- tion to the fully operational MET seen in the invasion of Lebanon. ‘The Merkava Mk I ‘The first operational vehictes were een en Iman 982 during the “Peace for Galle” Lbanoninvason, Psevehiceswere'cat Mc seporting ther standard metal ce skirts ary turret bustle rack, and rea tay smouth vehide surace showing 10 septigen seats "he Merkava Mk was armed wit he 105mm M64 LTAT gon, complimented by ne? 62mm coal nachine gun, two exe tlor-mounted7 2mm FN Mage, optional 2Ocaller mound above therainganand 2etinm mortar foriluminationor geting Smoke when using air support. The powerpack was a feladyne Continental Rvbonis0-sa v-12 desl engine, produc: ing 900 hp at 2400 ep, fora speed of 30 pe i Other noticeable characteristics of the Merkava Miclareastallexhastporonthe ie front side undemeath the Bre extine gusher pull tation, This wes parently for nadatonal power untto operateintrmal Systems without powering up the primary powerpack. "The ery bust ack Wat OF Rove complex sheet eal design. “another ilnor note ie cca hatch pattern located behind the loader’ atch. This was orginally designed as an intemal prabolicluminaorlight-Thecon- cep, which met wit ile success, being 1 the bounce ight fom inside theta The primary exhause located onthe ight side The vehi is significantly smaller on the Merkava Mk. Also ofnote the fullasor- Imentof side sragebinson the rea sde of thehal. Thc crom wind oaneot wat le tt ‘cluded with the Merkava I design. Nor were smoke dischargers. ‘The combat record of the Merkava Mk I is somewhat fuzzy due to Isracli security. Only one Merkava Mk I was documented as destroyed. This, oddly enough, by journal- ist whose photograph appeared in the June 21, 1982 issue of Newsweek. The author has spoken with several Merkava crewmembers that served in the 1982 operation and was {informed thatthe performanceofthe vehicle as regarding survivability was outstanding. ‘They also noted that the 105mm main gun, rising the IDE-designed “Long Arrow” de- pleted uranium penetrator was superb, dis- abling the vaunted (atleast atthe time) T-72 with little difficulty. ‘The Merkava Mk IL ‘The Merkava Mk I first debuted on the 36th, Anniversary of Israelindependence, in 1985, notablechanges inthe tank’sappearanceare the addition of applique armor on the tur- rats. The side skirts were changed to.acom- posite armor making them considerably thicker than the Merkava I. The air cleaner covers were changed to allow for the new skirt mounting system as wasthelower evel of the hull storage bins. ‘The power plant was improved and the exhaust was enlarged. The engine access plate on the front hull was also enlarged. The illumination mortar was moved to the inside of the vehicle and is now of a breech- load type. Thesimplified wirebasket was irstseen ‘on this version of the Merkava along with the cross wind sensor located on the left of the turret, ‘The internal illuminator light was de- leted inthe MkII Further ate modifications seen starting in the early 1990's were the addition of 15-6 smoke dischargers and the Merkava Mk II external crew storage bas- kets located on the rear hull by the rear access door. The Merkava Mk IIL The Merkava Mk Ill is a major departure from its predecessors. To begin with the basic hull was lengthen by approximately eighteen inches. In addition, external fuel cells were added to the rear ofthe hull. The suspension was changed from the previous *Christio” design to torsion arm configura tion with additional massive spring shock and a bumperdampening system t aid in 3‘cross-country speed and comfort. The powerpack was changed to 1,200 hp. ‘Turret modifications are even moreim- pressive. First, the basic turret casting was also lengthened by nine inches. Then the completearmor array around the crew com- partment was redesigned toa modular con- cept. This serves two primary functions. ‘The first being an increase in the armor pro tectionduetomodern compositearmortech- nology and placing an additional layer of jead space” between the crew and any incoming threat. The second, is that if a portion or section of the modular system is damaged , it can be replaced in the field in relatively short order, thus returning it into action quickly and fully protected. This obviously reduces lengthy stays in rear re- pair facilities. Internal changesineludeimprovemonts in transmission, fire control, night vision, gun stabilization, turret control, and NBC protection, Merkava Mk Ill’s are produced in “blocks” with theexact numberof MBT’s per block unknown. At the time ofthis writing. there have been three block productions made. The changes in block production ‘come from economic improvements, field ‘operation, and crew/maintenance person- nel input. It may be noted that in the IDF design technicians work hand-in-hand with the personnel that use the weapon systems. ‘The differences between Block 1 and Block Il Merkava Mk II's were quite minor and mostly internal. When the Block Ill seriesrolled off theexternal differences were noticeable even to the untrained eye. The construction of the modular armor compo- nents on the turret had been changed all around the turret exterior. Both increasing. the amount of protection and enabling an ‘even quicker replacement of components. ‘The armor section on the loader's sideof the turret was increased by an additional five inches. The mortar port area was changed significantly along with the deflection area in front of the sight aperture. Other minor changes can be seen in the photos that fol: ow. ‘The Future of the Merkava Currently there are persistent rumors of a powerplant improvement for the Merkava, and up gunning the vehicle toa 140mm gun, itself an active debate in the US, the UK, and Germany. RIGHT ABOVE: Merkace Mk lI igh front armored ‘skirt, Not the recesed step. IT: The front spoked road wheel ofe Merkava Mk‘Merk idler assembly -Merkaoe Mk engine access hinge detail, In Keeping with the main design criteria of survivability, th engine and transmission were placed inthe front ofthe tank, further protected by a wel sloped glacis plate ‘Maerkave Mil. Right sie view noting the applique larmorand shit details, Atthetop ofeach skirtaresmall, numbers mused on the panel. The mumbers are in {equence from front to Back, In the loser lf of this photo the plates are marhed “3” (farthest othe right) followed by "€” on the panel just behind i. The next ‘sequence (ound just tothelftfthe photo's center)are 3" jllowed by.alow theezhaust cute. Alsofrom thisangl, he small Lip that ison the side edges ofeach indioiual plat is ‘obvious. This cam azo be sen in the photo on the previous page The right rear stowage bins on a Merkava MkII. Of oteisthemodifcation ofthe bins forthe MII skirting. Just above the open dora op sa collapsible stretcher ‘Which is standard equipment in vray every Irae combat unit. ‘Merhaoa Mi I detail on left rear fender. The infantry communication box and the fie extinguisher bales sre clearly ose‘A cloze detail photo showing the two fre extinguisher tls and the decontamination bottle. On this ex ample the fre extingwithere ae painted the came ‘Sd coloras terest the vehicle thle the decontami tration bottle fa semt-glossBluelgreen coor. Lacking from wp underneath the gum tuke withthe travel lock the foreground. The large oltheads onthe applique armor are also very abious inthis view Looking wpa th ture ofa Morkana Ml from the ft sie, The empty rack is for a PRCT? infantry radio. ‘Also roe the machine uot mount and the link chain ‘that secures the tow cables ver their hook on he tareABOVE: Another ookat the lft turret side of Merksoa MEL [Note the diferent lengths of ball end chai protective coverage below the turret overhang. RIGHT: The 50calter machine gun mounted over the main um con this Merlava Mk I. Also note the straping around the gu tube The ture! fp of @ Merkaoa WE I. Note morlar port or interior mounted GUmim mar, raisea loader pericope and commander s machine um moun.BELOW: Ason early versions, the skirting plates are umber. Beceuse they ae highlighted in hie, they areeasertoseehere. Number one pat is foundon ight front ascending as they proceed to the rear ofthe ‘ehile. Plate number elven is found inthe front aston om tee side, withthe muenbersolowing the Same pattern as. onthe ight side. ‘Also show here ithe exhaust port detail. Note that the angled fins do mot touch a the bottom of the opening. A ook down the left side ofthe protective skirting ona ‘Merkaca MkII (Block I). The viet detail om the stirting es wel asthe recesed tlt head detail iscearly shou here A similar view, this time om the right side ofa Merkava ‘MEIII Block ID. Thesmalllip between each platofthe skirting found on the Merkaoa ME I snow present only between each section of the Me Il. The ire ‘rtingutsher pal ames ocated im the per center ofthe photo along the vertical hull side. The bax is pinted red A leok atthe right rear stowage basket with stenderd fou‘A ook across the rar of Merkava Mik II (Block 11) ‘Showing the stowage baskcts om either side of the rear oor. The chains at he otton ofeach beset are part of the quickreleasemechanism thatllowsthecontents of the ashes tobe “dumped.” ABOVE: A more detailed lokat te stowage beset on ‘this Merk MkII (Block) showing the framing as tttacked to the hull. Also, close inspection wil show ‘hat the chains on the bottom of the basket are too separate pieces. The first (hreelinks), attache tothe back ofthe basket and othe eye on te botiom pec, while the second paceof chain ensures tha the pin does ‘ot Become lst from the bottom plate. You canalso see that the back plate mot a single pee but fie separate seins pec onesie gee by ieround To the righ ofthe basket you can see the rar taillight and fender assembly [ight rear idler and track tensioning device. The track con the Merkaba Mik Ill (Block I) i om wider than found on the MK II series. ‘A single link of spare track is found located undermine stowage beset noth sidesof he ark 10Theleft rear fender, alight, and communication tox assemblies ABOVE: Left quarter view of Meriawa MIT (Block 1), Noe the armor pattern with the numerous “ie ented” irls i he side vertical armor of teu and ture. ‘The right side ofthe Merkaoe ME II (Block I) ture. The atures om the turret near the rear areas re (from front 10 bac): an antenna mount, two empty fie extinguisher racks, an electromagnetic sensor [20- red), and blow that sa fire extinguisher ble ‘Theftont maniletofthe Mera -MEIII (Block I) ain he fore ‘ground ig the 15-6 smoke dis tharger. The dectical wiring tam be seenat the rear of te box [Note the two small vests Jor the armored door of the ‘gunner sopticsystem when ts fully down uTe 15-6smoe dischargeron the turret, right side ofa BE Merkzca Mk (Block I. otis the cross wind sensor magnetic warning sensor. ‘A lef side wie of the Merle MkII (Block I). The al fire extinguisher station i clearly wale in he viewThe right side of « Merkaoe Mik II (Block I) turret. Directly above the gum tube isan electromagnetic ‘warning Sensor a found on the rea sides ofthe turret. You ca als ee the wiring forthe smoke dischargers and the path i takes along the turret edge. ia rT ABOVE: The Soltm 60mm Under Armor Mortar (uam, RIGHT: A similar iewastotherightexcepom heeft ‘ideo the turret. The oader's machine gio is oated (oma small pedestal mounted om the side ofthe turret. ‘Directly infront ofthe loader's hatch end pr scope isthe 60mm mortar tube and casing. Bul by Soltam Ltd the morta has ull averse capability ana am elecat ton 40 and 85 degrees, It capable of firing all ypes of NATO-stendard rounds inciuding HE, smoke, ad illumination. Maximum range 18 3.500 meters ad a minim of 10. BELOW: An ilustration of he Oram UAM, RIGHT, Looking forsardacros th turretofaMerksva ‘MEI! (Block I). In addition to secing the ough lexturing ofthe Lure! rof, you can alo see several casting mars directly i font of the commander's hatch 13A look at the gum tube, mantle, fad cosa machine gum sot on ¢ Merkaoa Mik II (lock I.‘Acloseupof the commander's hatchon a Merhaca Mk I (Book I). Detes of the machine gum mount and periscopes canbe cen. Behind the hatch andslightly o {he left inthe photo i the hatch stop/locking mecha ‘nom. You ca also se the to antenna bases BELOW: Looking at the same vehicle, this time a the Tader's hatch. The small angle sections located be taneen the loader's and commander's hatches are sow age bractes for replacement antenna sections. This ‘Photo also offers nice ew ofthe ross wind sensor. Overall top view of Merkaza MI II (Block I) turret Iooking tothe rear. ‘Theturretstowsge bask! covered) ofa Merkava MAIL (Block I), Alo note the antenna base othe lf. ‘The fame extractor ofthe 120mm min gu. You also ‘gel a small view of the gun trace lock in the down Dostion and one ofthe banding straps around he gum tube1 Either side of the turret on & Merkava Mk I (lock Il). The eft side shows the loader’ atch, periscope, and turet armor set-up. Forward ofthe periscope is the 60mm ‘mortar while the loaders pedestal-mcunted machine gun is tothe lef. Note the location ofthe mounting point onthe Block I for this machine gun as opposed tothe Block Te Th flat rack oth lef ofthe loaders hatch ia personal weapon rack, ammander’shatch and machine gun mount. Note the hingeand thestoplock mechanism the lover right ofthe photo. The forward turet section of ‘Merkaoa MII (Block II). The 120m rain gum isin the co ter ofthe photo. Of roi the circular mowanting point of the ‘S0caliber machine fu ocated at the poin where the gum tube fiers the dust cover on the Imantiet, The white srge ru ring down the center ofthe gun {ube for friendfoearrecogni- to.: \ & | Ft fren reel eM Went mt gh To or est of me er ts kt Prop pe shea oop pepe lnk pe tirp ‘The righ side phot agsin shows the texturing onthe surface. Alo note the cabling which leads othe mantle ust cover. Te two smal pins” which the door of the gunner's sight rest on cam clearly be scm, ‘The mantlet dust cover on a ‘Merkaoa MkII (Block). The details ofthe modular armor con tbe seem here as wll Another points the rows of small holes Iocated fn the modular armor pieces which are visible here.ABOVE: A complet rear view ofa Merkacu MEI (Block I). The gun tube ofthe 120mm main _gun om a Merkava Mik IT (Block tthe 50 caliber machine unting unit and the for thelectro[Note the prominent casting marks onthe ture op of thie Morkana ME II (Rock I] btsor (and ‘Tigh forward of the 100 hatches. A great photo of the small 360 degree periscope ard ts protective guard. The small box lo the right ofthe periscope isan electrical connection bo.‘The gunners armored sigh blockon Merkae MKIIT (Glock IL) Worthy of ote i the texturing and the cling detail ‘Treempty PRC-75 radionack behind the commander's hatch om @ Merkaca Mk Ill (Block I). Om the edge of the beret i plated over antenna mount. Note the ‘various stowage bins and the flip latches. The ta round, empty racks are for fire extinguishrs ‘A close look atone of the 15-6 smoke dischargers ona ‘Merlaa MKIII (Block II). The thre ows of tering naar the frend ofthe discharger ave painted in a dull, ‘ed, while the single row nearer the turret arin white 20LEFT: A parts drawing ofthe turret bustle rack Closeup view ofthe externa fel ell and 2 siowage basket. Barely vse, ust ight fcenter aLooking down the right side ofa Merkaoa MK II (Block I). The engi Stowelom th rear deck under the turret verhang. Theendof te pry bar ca beeen {nits bracet horizontal in the photo about two-thirds of the way up. Note the bolt and hing deta. Looking forward along the tank's ight side. Again youcan see she dering riland i me ~s A view of@ Merkaoa Mk I (Block I) down the left side ofthe turret 1 (BockThe right turret side of « Merkacw ME I (Block UD, ‘Again yucan see the PRC-75 rack andor wardofthat ie the Cortmmnlr’spereral wr rack. Drachet and eral for the fire extinguisher TOP: Theloader’s sido Merkaoa METI (Bock) ABOVE: Rearturet deckhatchesona Merkaoa Mall (Block). Theempy racks fora four flit. Also rote he antenna sean thefamila Ira tlejrry Closeup of the cross wind sensor and the pedestal ‘most of the loaders machine gu B24