Key Points and Summary on Merkava Tank – The Israeli Merkava main battle tank, particularly the latest Mk 4M “Windbreaker” variant, has dominated the battlefield in Gaza against Hamas. Some say it might be the best tank on Earth today.
-Its success is attributed not just to its powerful 120mm gun and robust armor, but critically to its advanced Trophy Active Protection System, which effectively neutralizes incoming rockets and missiles.
-The IDF employs the Merkava within combined arms “slice units,” integrating it with infantry, combat engineers, and overhead drone surveillance from platforms like the Hermes 900.
-This networked approach enhances the tank’s situational awareness and survivability, allowing it to overcome urban ambushes and spearhead attacks.
Israel’s Merkava Tank Has Dominated for Decades
The Israeli Merkava main battle tank, meaning “chariot” in Hebrew, is one of the best armored beasts in the world. Merkavas have led the way in Israel’s attacks this year in southern Gaza to send Hamas running for cover. Israel uses the Merkava to support dismounted infantry to clear out terrorists in urban terrain.
The Merkavas are part of multi-pronged attacks on cities like Rafah and Khan Younis. Artillery barrages start the spearhead, and Merkavas advance to wrest territory from Hamas.
The Enemy Is No Match for the Armored Chariots
One elite tank unit that puts fear into the enemy is the 36th Ga’ash (Rage) Division. These tankers are brave and fierce, often rolling into unsuspecting adversarial positions in the dead of night. Air force fighter jets and drone bombardment begin the assault, and then Merkavas creep into the picture and force Hamas to either fight back with weak resistance or leave the area.
Using ‘Slices’ In Armored Units
The Ga’ash Division has what the U.S. Army calls “slice units.” This means there are various types of components and groups of soldiers to create a robust force. For example, there is the mass of dismounted fighters surging forward.
Then, a combat engineering group clears mines and improvised explosive devices and blows up tunnels. Field artillery is part of this complete group. Sometimes, a cavalry squadron can be attached to create opportunities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance collection.
Then, drones fly overhead with loitering munitions and more reconnaissance duties. This gives the division eyes and ears for better survivability and situational awareness for the Merkavas.
Why the Updated Merkava Mk 4M Is So Great
The Merkava Mk 4M “Windbreaker” is the latest version of the family of tanks, and it is a hefty asset with ample firepower to overwhelm the enemy.
The Mk 4M weighs approximately 64 tons and is equipped with a powerful 120mm smoothbore gun. This fires high-explosive anti-tank rounds, anti-personnel rounds, and LAHAT missiles that can take out armored vehicles or punch holes in emplacements or buildings that house militants.
What sets the updated Merkava apart from other main battle tanks around the world is its Trophy Active Protection System. The apparatus uses a blast of metal balls that can eliminate enemy rocket or missile fire. Hamas ties to use rocket-propelled grenades against Merkavas, but these are no match for the Trophy system.
Sniffing Out Ambushes Before They Happen
What Hamas does well is hiding in buildings in narrow streets where tanks have a difficult time operating. They try to use mines and explosives to force Merkavas into ambush situations. Israeli tankers are well aware of what the enemy is trying to do. They are more confident with the Trophy protection and “no-go” terrain is transformed into areas where the Merkavas can operate freely with little danger from ambushes.
Top-Performing Drones Aid the Merkava In Battle
To monitor combat developments in real-time, the Merkavas rely on the Elbit Hermes 900 unmanned aircraft. The Hermes 900 is a medium-sized and medium-altitude drone. This system can loiter for over 30 hours over the battle space and provides valuable intel for the Merkavas.
The Hermes 900 offers the best in overhead imagery options, utilizing its electro-optical infrared sensor. Hermes 900s are equipped with the SPIKE precision-guided missile as well.
Merkava operators can call in airstrikes from the Hermes 900 on positions with unknown strength. The Israelis have learned tank tactics from after-action reviews conducted on Hamas for several years now. They integrate these lessons learned with mighty precision.
One of the key units necessary for Merkavas’ success is the support personnel that can quickly restock the tankers with ammunition, food, and water. No effective fighting force can operate without ample logistical support, and the Merkavas can then fight for long hours during an operation.
Merkava Mk 1 tanks date back to 1979, so this family emerged from significant tank battles during the Six Days War and the Yom Kippur War, when significant, armored engagements were the norm. The Mk 3 was sent to the troops in 1990. Their engines churned out 1,200 horsepower. There are still about 1,200 Merkava Mk 2 and Mk 3 tanks in the Israeli arsenal.
During armored battles, the Merkavas are protected by the Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system. This creates greater survivability by identifying threats early. The commander gets information while threats develop and is better able to take evasive action and fire the Trophy system’s “shotgun” at incoming missiles and rockets.
In all, the Merkava is one sturdy customer. The Israelis have refined the tank and its tactics over the years. There are newer and older models to choose from, depending on the level of advancement and fortification of the tank unit. While serving with slice units, the tank can lead a vanguard of combat power.
Overhead drones can sniff out ambushes – even in destroyed cities where there are many places for the enemy to hide amid bombed-out buildings and partially standing walls. The Israelis have a winner in this tank and expect it to perform strongly in future engagements.
About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood
Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.
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