Advanced Generation Merkava Tanks Can Play Outsize Role in Israeli Invasion Into Lebanon: Israel is executing a limited ground incursion into Lebanon. This will consist of special operations forces prepping the battlefield, gathering intelligence and surveillance data, destroying ammunition dumps, and blowing up rocket launch sites. These steps could pave the way for a larger armored invasion that would include Israel’s best homegrown tank – the Merkava. Let’s take a closer look at this beast of a vehicle.
The Merkava Mk 5 is now a fifth-generation battle tank, but earlier variants have been used in the Middle East since the early 1980s. The Merkava is still the backbone of the Israeli Defense Forces’ mechanized battalions.
History of the Merkava Tank
The development of the indigenous Merkava tank goes back to the 1970s. In those days, Israel was deploying British Centurions and American-made M48 and M60 tanks. Israel needed a new tank that could adjust to varying types of terrain. There were the rocky and hilly areas around the critical Golan Heights where Israel needed to protect itself against an attack from Syria and Lebanon. And the softer, sandy regions where Israel would defend against tanks from Egypt in the Sinai region.
The Israelis were looking for an all-terrain chassis that could be maneuverable, fast, and survivable. The first two iterations of the Merkava retained the 105mm gun, while other tanks during the 1980s deployed the 120mm gun.
Where That Distinctive Flat Turret Came From
The Merkava Mk 1 was described adroitly by Defense-Update.com, “the initial design…already determines the basic design envelope, with a triangular, flat turret, fitted with typical armor protection cells installed on both sides of the gun. The forward mounted engine, clearing the rear area for an access hatch, stores, and adds flexible reconfiguration options which are currently taking shape.”
New Variants Cropped Up Soon After
The first iteration of the Merkava was delivered to the IDF in 1979. Then a new 120mm gun was designed after the Lebanon War in 1982. The Merkava Mk 2 was introduced with better armor and an improved fire control system. The Merkava Mk 3 had a new 900-horsepower diesel engine that increased the speed, acceleration, and agility. The Merkava Mk 4 Barak translates to “lightning” in English. It was designed to withstand modern anti-tank-guided missiles, mines, and rocket-propelled grenades. The Mk 4 has a “smart mission computer for delivering targeting data and increasing the level of firepower.
Merkava Mk 5 Is an Unruly Beast
Now, the Israelis have developed the Merkava Mk 5 Barak. The Mk 5 Barak incorporates the latest in artificial intelligence for better on-board hardware and software for the crew. This tank was unveiled in 2023 and has updated sensors and radar. It allows for easy communication with dismounted infantry who are able to sniff out and destroy enemy combatants who are using anti-tank guided missiles. Tankers utilize the “Iron Vision” helmet for better situational awareness. The Barak Mk5 retains the Trophy system that can counteract enemy projectiles streaming in from enemy fighters.
The IDF had been working on the Mk 5 Barak for five years and these next generation tanks are believed to cost around $3.5 million each.
Will They or Won’t They Invade Lebanon?
The Merkava Mk 4 and Mk 5 Baraks will play a large role if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his generals order an armored invasion. At present, it does seem Israel has moved into Southern Lebannon.
An Israeli Defense Forces Merkava Mark 4 tank fire 120mm canon shell
amazing action military photography 2022 2008(c)-Nehemia Gershuni Photograpy
The Israelis want their population of around 63,000 people who have moved away from northern Israel to return to their homes after leaving due to Hezbollah’s rocket fire. Perhaps the special forces soldiers can do enough damage to make a tank incursion unnecessary.
But suppose the IDF armored columns go after Hezbollah. In that case, the Merkava Baraks will be the main firepower, protection, and targeting platform for the infantry troops who will take and hold ground in Lebanon to foil Hezbollah. This attack is designed to reduce the incidence of rocket attacks aimed at Israeli civilians. A mechanized battle to take ground and force Hezbollah to go into hiding is a mission that the Merkava Barak tanks are well suited for.
About the Author
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.
meggido
October 1, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Merkava 5 is a just about right kind of MBT for the modern high tech battlefield but so far it hasn’t met the heavy baptism of fire witnessed in Donbass.
In Donbass, Abrams and Leo 2s and challengers have been destroyed or disabled by drones, ballistic missiles and GPS-guided 152mm artillery.
So far,the merkava 5 and earlier versions obviously have been facing or confronting lightweight opposition.
Nonetheless, its design is different from that of current western tanks which can be traced way back to the renault FT tank of WW1.
The engine is in the front but its turret still has hatches on top. Therefore, a half-and-half advance type of design overall.
pagar
October 1, 2024 at 4:20 pm
The world today is tottering on the very edge of the abyss due to, what else, the terrible asmodeus-type ‘leadership’ of Joe biden’s america.
Joe Biden, who once as a US senator threatened to ‘annihilate all civilians, all women and children’ in Canada if an attacker ever invaded his country from the north, has provided exactly the dark forsaken and EVIL leadership perfectly suited for world chaos and world mayhem.
Missiles are raining down just about everywhere, warships and warplanes are waiting for the signal to wage ww3 tonight.
While the state dept and white house are issuing shrill statements about false hopes and false plans.
False for the world and false for mankind.
Another 9/11 coming ?
(In the form of ww3 !)
Jacksonian Libertarian
October 1, 2024 at 6:15 pm
No one paying attention thinks that Tanks are cost-effective Combat Power.
Drones rule the battlefield.
Tank battles, dog fights, and artillery duels are all modes of combat on the way out.
Soon the order of battle and doctrine will all revolve around drone swarms.
Commentar
October 2, 2024 at 7:05 am
Doc, ww3 comin’, thanks to biden and austin and sullivan.
Latest reports indicate highly successful iranian attacks, particularly onto nevatim AFB that houses US-made f-35s.
Is that going to prick biden right in the behind, and so is he going to attempt to start ww3 this very month in the middle-east.
Armageddon coming soon then, better stock up your larders.