The Merkava has been in service as the main battle tank in the Israeli army since 1979. The amazing layout of this MBT has become a subject of debate among many military experts. According to experts, a change in priorities is noticeable in the design of the tank. This is due to the fact that during the design, Israeli weapons designers took into account all the advantages of defensive tactics. While working on the Merkava, the creators tried to provide the crew with maximum protection. Unlike most main battle tanks, which provide an equal balance of firepower, protection and mobility, the Israeli MBT prioritizes protection. For the needs of the Israeli army, the country's arms industry produces four modifications of this tank. A new version has an interesting design, which is listed as “Merkava-4”. Information about the layout, armament and tactical and technical characteristics of this MBT model is presented in the article.
Acquaintance
The Merkava-4 tank (photo of military equipment in the article) was first seen by the general public in June 2002. Since 2003, MBT has been mass-produced. As stated by the authoritative American military-political agency Forecast International, of all the battle tanks created to date, the Merkava-4 is one of the best. Translated into Russian it is a war chariot. According to military experts, the main characteristics of the Israeli MBT are superior to the performance characteristics of the German Leopards. Also, according to experts, it is superior to the Merkava-4 and T 90.
About the constructor
Merkava-4 (photo of the main battle tank below) was created by the legendary Israeli general Israel Tal. Throughout his entire military career, this man had to fight in different units. He also headed officer courses. Tal founded the IDF armored forces. After analyzing the Six-Day War and the Sinai Campaign, Israel Tal came to the conclusion that the tanks in service with the Israeli army do not meet the requirements of the country's military doctrine. The Israeli army needed a fundamentally new combat vehicle. When working on the MBT, Tal took into account his own experience and the wishes of the tankers.
Merkava Mk.1
3.1 History of creation
The approval of the Merkava development program dates back to the summer of 1970. The incentive for this was the refusal of Great Britain to sell Chieftain tanks to Israel. The chief designer was not an engineer, but a combat officer. In the spring of the following year, a steel mock-up was completed, and in 1972, the concept of a front-mounted engine compartment on a modified Centurion tank was tested. Two years later, two prototypes saw the light of day. The first four tanks released as part of serial production were accepted into the Israel Defense Forces in the spring of 1979, and in the fall they were put into service.
3.2 Design description
The layout of the tank is such that the engine and transmission compartment is located in front. This gives the crew greater security. The armored volume of the rear hull is also greatly saved. The main advantage of the Merkava is the compartment necessary for transporting wounded or paratroopers. It can also accommodate additional ammunition. This characteristic makes the Merkava a universal combat vehicle, capable of serving not only as a tank, but also as an infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier. The compartment has an armored door in the rear, through which the crew can get out of the tank in case of danger.
About design
Design work on the fourth model was carried out on the basis of the Merkava-1 tank. The new Israeli MBT “Mk-4” was created by 35 specialists. Using his authority, Israel Tal minimized bureaucratic nuances. Little attention was paid to parameters such as maneuverability and firepower during the work. In the Merkava-4 tank, the designers primarily focused on protecting the crew. Tal planned to create a combat vehicle that, even if it failed, would not take the lives of Israeli soldiers. According to statistics, tank crews die as a result of ammunition detonation. Consequently, the Merkava-4’s ammunition must be reliably covered.
What had to be improved?
The production of the Israeli Merkava-4 MBT is carried out taking into account the latest tank building ideas. Casting technology is used in the manufacture of the case. The armor is fastened using special bolted connections. The Merkava-4 (photo of the main battle tank below) has a fully computerized control system.
For its development, the latest design technologies of Israeli gunsmiths, which have no analogues throughout the world, are used. For the first time in the history of tank building, the principle of active armor was introduced in this particular tank.
About the layout
According to experts, the layout of this Israeli tank model has fundamental differences from similar combat vehicles produced in the USA and Europe.
The front part of the Merkava-4 became the place for the management compartment, the central part for the combat compartment, and the rear part for the engine-transmission section. In an effort to provide crew members with additional protection, Israeli designers placed the engine at the front of the tank. Such a design decision was a necessary measure, since often most of the shells hit the frontal part of the tank, and this area of the MBT should have been reliably strengthened.
Evaluation of the combat vehicle and its future
OBS "Merkava" is, without a doubt, one of the best tanks of our time. It has certain disadvantages, caused primarily by its non-standard layout. Due to the location of the engine in the front of the vehicle, the nose of the tank is very heavy, which creates strong longitudinal vibrations of the hull when firing and reduces accuracy. The heat from the engine interferes with the operation of the sighting devices.
The current mass of the tank has reached 70 tons, which indicates the impossibility of further increasing the armor. The mass introduction of fire control systems on tanks has changed the statistics of hits, now more of them are on the hull. The Merkava has less protection than the turret.
However, the overall security of the Merkava, the ease of operation of the crew, and high firepower outweigh the above disadvantages. If an Israeli tank is damaged, its crew simply turns into infantry, and any serious defeat of Soviet tanks (Russian, Ukrainian) is almost guaranteed to lead to the death of the tank crews.
About the tower
The Merkava Mk-4 tank is equipped with an updated turret, for which completely new armor modules are provided. They cover the roof, sides and front part. Unlike previous versions of the MBT, the commander's hatch in the Merkava Mk-4 is more massive and contains a special electronic mechanism with which it is opened and closed. The additional hatch used by the loader has been removed in this MBT model. As a result of this design of the Merkava-4, the tower is characterized by a stepped outline. On the right side there is a place for installing a machine gun, from which you can fire at 360 degrees. The upper part of the turret is equipped with smoke grenade launcher cassettes.
Merkava tank design
The tank hull is welded, made of cast and rolled armor parts. The upper frontal part is located at a large angle of inclination. Its right side is slightly higher than the left, which is due to the placement of the engine here. The frontal armor is multi-layered, behind its first layer there is a space filled with diesel fuel, then there is another layer of armor. The upper edge of the front part of the hull is located above the level of the turret ring and protects the joint between the hull and the turret, which is usually a weak point. To increase protection against anti-tank mines, the bottom of the hull was given a unique arched shape. Anti-cumulative screens are installed on the sides of the hull.
In the aft part of the hull there is a double-leaf door, the upper leaf opens upwards, the lower one opens downwards. This door is used to load ammunition or a wounded crew member of another tank, and it can also be used for emergency exit.
The turret is cast with welded frontal parts, has a small cross-section, a wedge-shaped shape pointed from the sides to the bow, and a developed aft niche. The turret accommodates three crew members. The commander and gunner are located to the right of the gun, and the loader is located to the right.
The tank's ammunition load includes shots with four types of projectiles: armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, armor-piercing high-explosive and smoke. Six rounds are placed in the fighting compartment below the turret ring, and the rest are in the rear of the hull. 12 rounds are stored in fireproof containers designed to hold two shots each, and 44 are stored in containers designed to hold four shots each. If necessary, the ammunition load can be increased to 85 or 90 rounds (pf due to placement in the “airborne” compartment.
Merkava has six road wheels with a diameter of 790 mm per side (the rollers are interchangeable with the Centurion tank) with front drive wheels, rear guides, and four support rollers. Each roller is equipped with a spring suspension; the two front rollers have hydraulic shock absorbers.
The tank is equipped with a collective protection system, which has a filter-ventilation unit and an automatic fire extinguishing system.
Tank "Merkava" Mk 2
About the gun
The Mk-4 is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun. Due to its ability to withstand high pressure, it became possible to fire powerful high-explosive fragmentation shells. Using such ammunition, the crew commander, depending on the combat mission, can program the charging gun. The gun is equipped with an integral heat-insulating casing, which has a positive effect on the fire efficiency. In addition, this casing prevents wear and tear on the gun.
The tank is equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun and a new 60 mm mortar. Behind the armored partition in the MBT there is a place for a special semi-automatic machine responsible for loading the gun. The machine has an electric drum designed for 10 shells. They are transmitted to the tanker automatically. The remaining 38 are contained in a special protective container. Such precautions were taken by the designers to prevent the detonation of shells inside the Mk-4. Thanks to a special management system, it is possible to perform automatic target tracking. The system is represented by improved television and thermal imaging channels. The gunner and crew commander are provided with the use of independent stabilizing sights.
Tanks
Merkava Mk.4. Main battle tank. (Israel)
The Merkava Mk.4 tank was first demonstrated at one of the exhibitions on June 24, 2002, but it was officially handed over for military testing in December 2001. The production of the Merkava Mk.4 began after the Merkava Mk.3 model was removed from the assembly line - at the beginning of 2003. On July 27, 2003, Merkava Mk.4 tanks entered service with the 1st training company of the 46th battalion of the 401st brigade. According to the staffing schedule, the re-equipment of the battalion was completed in the summer of 2004, and the entire brigade at the beginning of 2005. Before this, the 401st Brigade was armed with Magakh-6 tanks (a variant of the American M60A1 tank). After this, only Israeli-made tanks began to arrive in the Israeli armored forces.
The military command of the Israel Defense Forces believed that the Merkava Mk.4 tank “has all the newest and best” and that the tank’s qualities are much superior to previous models. This applies to both its security and the power of its weapons. For example, the turret was equipped with new special armor modules, which covered not only its forehead, sides, rear, but also the entire roof, significantly enhancing protection against projectiles directed from the upper sphere. For this reason, it was necessary to remove the loader's hatch, and make the commander's hatch more massive, providing it with a special electric mechanism for opening. Due to the modules, the configuration of the turret of the Merkava Mk.4 tank has changed - it has received a “stepped” silhouette.
Merkava Mk.4. Main battle tank. (Israel)
To improve visibility of the road and surrounding area, four video cameras were installed on the body, the image from which is transmitted directly to the driver’s display. This TST (Tank Sight System) system provides visibility day and night. It was developed by Vector. To avoid defeating the tank commander during combat operations in urban environments, the tank was equipped with a small commander's cupola. The gunner's sight was moved to the roof of the turret.
The gun of the Merkava Mk.4 tank is equipped with a massive mantlet. The air intake grilles on the fender niches were removed, leaving only the exhaust tract grille on the starboard side. As on early Merkava models, metal anti-cumulative chains with balls were hung at the rear of the turret, covering its lower part from the effects of RPG grenades. To facilitate maneuvering in narrow places, marker pins were installed on the body.
For the first time in the world, the foreign Merkava Mk.4 tank was equipped with the Trophy active protection system produced by Israeli companies RAFAEL Armament Development Authority Ltd. and Israel Aircraft Industries ELTA. Its creation was called in Israel “a revolution in armored vehicle protection systems.” The system provided “the ability to detect, identify, track and destroy modern anti-tank missiles at a significant distance from the protected vehicle, so as not to cause damage to it.” "Trophy" was shown at the Second International Exhibition on Conflict in Tel Aviv in March 2005. It should be noted that similar systems “Drozd” or “Arena” were used on Soviet tanks back in the mid-1980s. According to some reports, “Trophy” was their reworking.
The mass of the system for the Merkava Mk.4 tank is 771 kg. It has automatic recharge. Capable of simultaneously “leading” several missiles from different directions. The cost is about 200 thousand dollars. “Trophy” is complemented by a danger warning system that is triggered when a laser targeting the vehicle is detected.
The improved smoothbore 120-mm cannon can withstand increased pressure in the barrel, which allows the use of more powerful high-explosive fragmentation projectiles M339 Kalanit (“Sea Anemone”) developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI). Their fuse is programmed for a specific task already in the charging chamber of the gun barrel, which increases the effectiveness of their use against various targets, be it infantry or vehicles, tanks or fortifications. In the latter case, for example, a projectile first pierces an obstacle, and only then a warhead equipped with striking elements is triggered inside the object. The semi-automatic gun loader is installed behind the armored partition in the turret niche. Its 10-shot drum independently delivers them to the loader. Each of the remaining 38 rounds is packaged in a protective container to prevent an explosion inside the case if an enemy shell hits the tank. The same 120 mm cannon can fire LAHAT shells. They are controlled by a laser beam and have a semi-active laser guidance head. After the projectile leaves the gun barrel, its propulsion engine begins to operate, and the stabilizers open. The tandem cumulative warhead is designed to penetrate the target's active defense system.
The gun has an integral heat-insulating casing, which increases the efficiency of firing from it and also significantly reduces barrel wear. The Israeli tank "Merkava Mk.4" is armed with a 7.62-mm machine gun coaxial with a cannon and another - the same one, mounted on a turret on the right side of the turret. The tank commander can even fire from this machine gun remotely - from inside the turret, turning it 360°. A 60-mm mortar is also standard, but a new design is breech-loading. Smoke grenade launcher cassettes are mounted on the turret.
The tank's hull is more symmetrical than other modifications of the Merkava tank. The upper frontal armor part lacks the characteristic bulge on the right side that was present on all early modifications of the tank. The gun stopper is placed in the center in a traveling manner, and not shifted to the right, as before. The Merkava Mk4 tank has a distinctive feature - a stepped turret with smoke grenade launcher clusters on both sides of the turret, which are externally different from those used on earlier versions of the Merkava tanks. There is no loader's hatch on the turret. An independent panoramic commander's sight in an armored cap is installed at this location.
Fire control system of the Merkava Mk.4 - with automatic target tracking. It includes advanced thermal imaging and television channels. The commander and gunner have independent stabilized sights with thermal imagers. Elbit has developed a tank battlefield information management system (TIUS) for the Merkava Mk.4 tanks, which provides constant monitoring of the situation with constant display on an electronic map of the area - on a color display. All information elements of the machine - sensors, rangefinder, navigation equipment, other equipment - are connected by a single algorithm for controlling, processing and displaying the received data.
Merkava Mk.4. Main battle tank. (Israel)
The commander's and gunner's workstations are integrated into a local network and automatically monitor and display the situation in combat conditions. This allows the commander to quickly assess the situation and make the right decisions, providing a greater opportunity to timely detect and hit enemy targets. The system displays the situation in real time and makes it possible to exchange information with the crews of other tanks.
The weight of the Merkava Mk.4 tank is 65 tons. It was equipped with a 1,500-horsepower GD883 diesel engine from the American company General Dynamics. This is the MTU883 engine, developed by the German company MTU Friedrichshafen and produced in the USA under license. The new engine of the Merkava Mk.4 tank differs from those installed on other tank models:
- a much higher level of technical sophistication;
- improved weight and dimensions;
- specific power parameters;
- fuel efficiency.
Increasing its liter power required improving the turbocharging system with cooling of incoming air, increasing the efficiency of water cooling, and the intensity of oil cooling of the pistons. The power supply system includes individual fuel pumps with an electro-hydraulic fuel supply control system. Thanks to the use of a specially designed oil pan and an associated additional flat oil tank, engine operation is possible at any roll and trim. MTU883 is made in a single power unit with a new automatic transmission RK325 (German), hydromechanical, with a hydraulic rotation mechanism, having five gears. The power plant is controlled by a computer, which provides the necessary information about its operation to the tank driver. The exhaust pipe is located on the right side. The Mk.4 is equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system and a collective protection system against weapons of mass destruction. For ease of maneuvering in reverse, a video camera is installed in the aft part on the left side, which displays an image on the driver’s monitor.
Merkava Mk.4. Main battle tank. (Israel)
Characteristics:
- Combat weight, t: 65;
- Layout diagram: engine compartment and control compartment in front, fighting compartment in the middle, shells and fuel in the rear;
- Crew, people: 4;
- Case length, mm: 7450;
- Length with gun forward, mm: 9040;
- Case width, mm: 3720;
- Height, mm: 2660;
- Ground clearance, mm: 530 (with additional bottom armor - 430);
- Type of armor: cast steel, spaced modular, fourth generation, projectile-anti-cumulative;
- Active protection: yes;
- Dynamic protection: no;
- Caliber and brand of gun: 120 mm MG253;
- Gun type: smoothbore gun - Lakhat ATGM launcher;
- Barrel length, calibers: 50.92;
- Gun ammunition: 48;
- Gunner's sights: day/night (thermal imaging) with automatic target tracking, commander's panoramic day/night (thermal imaging) with automatic target tracking; there are backup optical and IR sights;
- Machine guns: 2 × 7.62 mm FN MAG, some also 1 × 12.7 mm M2HB;
- Other weapons: 60 mm mortar;
- Engine type: V-shaped 12-cylinder four-stroke diesel water cooled with turbocharging;
- Engine power, l. pp.: 1500;
- Highway speed, km/h: ~60;
- Speed over rough terrain, km/h: 40;
- Cruising range on the highway, km: 500;
- Specific power, l. s./t: 21.4;
- Suspension type: individual on vertical springs;
- Climbability, degrees: 30°;
- Wall to be overcome, m: 1.2;
- Ditch to be overcome, m: 3.0;
- Fordability, m: 1.4.
About the engine and transmission
According to experts, the 4th model of the Merkava uses a power plant whose characteristics differ significantly from the engines of early Israeli MBTs. The engine power rating in the Mk-4 is no less than 1500 hp. With. The unit itself has improved weight and dimensions and fuel efficiency. Improvements have been made to the turbocharging system. According to experts, oil and liquid cooling of the pistons in the Merkava-4 occurs more intensively. The power system is equipped with individual fuel pumps. The fuel supply in the tank can be adjusted.
By introducing a more advanced oil pan and an additional flat oil tank into the MBT, Israeli designers managed to achieve normal engine operation no matter how the combat vehicle rolls. The control of the power plant in the Merkava-4 is computerized - all the necessary information is displayed on the driver’s monitor.
The 4th model is equipped with a five-speed automatic hydromechanical transmission using a hydrostatic rotary mechanism. It is manufactured in Germany.
Tank modifications
The Merkava Mk.1 took part in the Lebanon War of 1982; after its end, Israeli designers created the Merkava Mk.2 modification. It took into account the experience of the first combat use of the tank. The changes affected the vehicle's security, its maneuverability and increased firepower.
The turret's armor was strengthened with the help of additional screens with combined armor, and the side protection was similarly improved. The mortar was moved inside the turret, and now fire could be fired without leaving the vehicle. Baskets for various property were mounted on the tower, which provided additional protection. To protect against cumulative ammunition, balls on chains were hung from the tower.
The tank received a more advanced ballistic computer and range finder, and a little later a thermal imager was installed on it.
The weight of the Merkava Mk.2 increased to 65 tons.
"Merkava Mk.3". This modification received additional armor protection on the sides and turret, and a more powerful 120 mm MG251 smoothbore gun was installed on the tank. Ammunition was reduced to 46 rounds. Laser radiation sensors were installed on the Merkava Mk.3, which warned the crew about the danger of fire from guided missiles. This modification received the Matador-3 fire control system. The weight of the Merkava Mk.3 was 65 tons.
"Merkava Mk.4". It was put into service in 2004. It was equipped with a new diesel engine GD883 General Dynamics (USA) with a power of 1500 hp. With. and Renk RK 325 transmission (Germany) with five speeds.
The shape of the turret has changed significantly due to the new configuration of armor modules, and the gun has received a mantlet. The main armor was also strengthened, the loader lost his hatch, and the commander's hatch became so massive that it opens mechanically. The visibility for the driver was improved, he received a rear view camera. The mine protection of the bottom has become more reliable.
The tank commander received a new panoramic sight with a thermal imager, and the gunner's sight was installed on the roof. The tank was equipped with a new BIUS "Tsayad".
The Merkava Mk.4 was equipped with a new MG253 gun, which can withstand higher pressure of powder gases. An automatic loader has appeared in the turret niche, which can accommodate 10 shells. The rest of the ammunition is located in the rear of the tank.
KAZ "Trophy" is the first such system that has been tested in real combat conditions.
During the last IDF combat operation in Lebanon, Hezbollah militants fired more than 1 thousand Russian-made ATGMs at Merkava Mk.4 tanks. Only 22 vehicles (mostly old modifications) were damaged, and 5 tanks were lost. That is, the effectiveness of modern Russian ATGMs against the Merkava was only 0.5%. Now an even more advanced KAZ Meil Ruach (“Air Cloak”) is being developed.
The cost of one Merkava Mk.4 tank is $3.7 million. KAZ "Trophy" adds approximately 10% to this amount.
About the active defense of the Trophy
According to military experts, the active protection of the Merkava-4, the characteristics of which are considered revolutionary by many world experts in the construction of armored vehicles, is the pride of Israeli engineering. A combat vehicle equipped with such a system is capable of detecting, tracking and destroying modern anti-tank missiles from long distances. Trophy is produced in Israel. In the 80s, a similar system was installed on Soviet tanks. There is an opinion that the Israeli “Trophy” is one of the improved versions of the Soviet systems.
Completion
Models from the Merkava series performed excellently during Israel’s combat operation in Lebanon. Then only five tanks were irretrievably lost, and almost all of the damaged vehicles returned to service after repairs. This is further proof of their high efficiency. The latest generation of the model is able to cope perfectly with the missile threat. In conclusion, one cannot help but focus on the fact that the concept of round-the-clock use of the tank is embodied here, for which space is provided to accommodate two crews, one of which can rest while the other works.
About additional devices
To protect the commander of the tank crew, the creators equipped the interior of the Merkava-4 with a special turret. In an effort to facilitate the process of controlling the MBT, the designers equipped the tank's hull with four video cameras, the images from which are displayed on the driver's screen. Judging by the reviews of military personnel, the quality of the picture on the screen does not depend on the time of day. In addition, this Israeli tank has a special system that is responsible for automatic fire extinguishing. In an effort to protect the lower part of the Merkava-4 from hand-held anti-tank grenades, Israeli weapons engineers installed several chains with balls on the turret of the combat vehicle. Maneuvering the tank in narrow places was made possible thanks to special dimensional pins installed on it.
Description of design
The main difference between the Merkava and other modern tanks is its layout: the engine and transmission are located in the front part of the hull, and the fighting compartment occupies the middle and rear parts. At the rear of the tank there is a landing compartment in which infantrymen, wounded soldiers, additional ammunition or a replacement crew can be transported. This unique design idea essentially turns the Merkava into a universal vehicle capable of performing the role of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers.
Another non-standard solution is the design of the tank’s hull and turret – they are cast. The Merkava's armor has large angles of inclination, the engine compartment is shifted to the right side of the tank, and on the left there is a control compartment with a driver's seat. He has three observation devices (periscopes), but due to the shift of his workplace to the left, his view is severely limited.
An armored partition is installed between the engine and fighting compartments. The main fuel supply is located in the rear of the armored fender niches; in their front part there are air intakes.
The tank's turret has a wedge-shaped shape, which increases the number of ricochets when it hits its front part. The Merkava turret has spaced armor, with additional protection elements located between the two main walls. At the back of the tower is a basket.
The turret contains space for three crew members: the loader, the tank commander and the gunner. The loader's position is located to the left of the gun; if necessary, he can serve as a gunner or driver. The gunner's position is to the right of the gun; to perform his functions, he has an optical sight with a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer. For a general overview there is a periscope observation device.
The commander's position is behind and slightly above the gunner. It has a panoramic optical sight, and in addition, the commander has access to the data received by the gunner. Based on them, he can give target designations or aim a weapon.
At the rear of the tank there is a compartment that can accommodate paratroopers (6 people), four stretchers with wounded or additional ammunition. The tactics of using the Merkava do not provide for the transportation of troops; usually the rear compartment is used for additional shells.
The Merkava Mk.1 is armed with a 105-mm M68 cannon, created in the USA and produced in Israel under license. The gun is stabilized in two planes and has a thermal casing. The ammunition load is 62 rounds. The gun is paired with a Belgian 7.62 mm MAG machine gun, produced under license. Two more machine guns (7.62 mm) are mounted on the roof of the turret. Above the gun barrel there is a 12.7 mm machine gun, which is controlled remotely. Also installed on the turret is a 60-mm mortar, its ammunition capacity is 30 min.
The engine is an American diesel AVDS-1790-5A with turbocharging, the transmission is CD-850-6B, also made in the USA, it has been modified by local specialists.
Spring suspension, Christie type. On each side there are six rubberized road wheels and five support rollers. The tracks are all-metal, their width is 640 mm.
About tactical and technical characteristics
- Merkava-4 is the main battle tank.
- MBT weight: 65 tons.
- The combat crew consists of 4 people.
- Total length of tank with gun: 904 cm.
- Case length: 760 cm.
- Tank height: 266 cm.
- Ground clearance: 53 cm.
- The Merkava-4 MBT is capable of moving at a maximum speed of 65 km/h.
- Fuel range indicator: 500 km.
- The tank is able to overcome ditches whose width does not exceed 3 m and a ford 138 cm deep.
- The combat vehicle is equipped with cast steel, spaced modular, projectile-proof and anti-cumulative armor.
- As weapons, the MBT is equipped with a modular, combined 120-mm smoothbore tank gun MG253 and a coaxial MAG anti-aircraft machine gun, 7.62 mm caliber, as well as a 60-mm mortar.
- In the Merkava-4, artillery fire is carried out with unitary ammunition with partially burning cartridges.
- The MBT is equipped with a laser rangefinder sight and thermal imager.
- The combat vehicle is equipped with a 12-cylinder four-stroke water-cooled diesel engine GD 83.
- The fuel tank of the tank is designed for 1400 liters of fuel.
- Power plant power: 1500 horsepower.
MERKAVA Mk.1
| MERKAVA Mk.1 | |
| COMBAT WEIGHT, t: | 60 |
| CREW, people: | 4 (landing - 10) |
| Overall dimensions, mm | |
| length | 7450 (gun forward - 8630) |
| width | 3700 |
| height | 2640 |
| clearance | 470 |
| WEAPONS: | 105 mm M68 cannon, coaxial 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun, two 7.62 mm FN MAG anti-aircraft machine guns, 60 mm mortar |
| AMMUNITION: | 62 shots, 7.62 mm cartridges - 10,000, min-30 |
| RESERVATION | |
| ENGINE | 12-cylinder V-shaped diesel engine AVDS-1790-6A, four-stroke, air-cooled, turbocharged; power 900 hp |
| TRANSMISSION | semi-automatic two-flow hydromechanical Allison CD-850-6BX, planetary gearbox, two planetary final drives, differential type turning mechanism |
| CHASSIS | six double rubber-coated rollers on board, four supporting ones, drive wheel - front, spring suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers on the 1st and 2nd nodes |
| track length | 4520 mm |
| track width | 640 mm |
| MAXIMUM SPEED, km/h | 46 |
| FUEL TANK CAPACITY, l | 1250 |
| COURSE RESERVE, km: | 400 |
| OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME | |
| ditch width | 3,0 |
| wall height | 0,95 |
| ford depth | 1,38 |
About rearmament
The Israeli Army has used the Merkava MK-4 as its main armored vehicle since 2004. The first brigade of the Israeli regular army was transferred to these tanks in 2005. In 2013, the 7th Brigade was rearmed. By this time, the change in combat vehicles also affected reserve units. Combat operations involving new tanks allowed military experts to draw certain conclusions about the effectiveness of MBTs and carry out their modernization.
Chassis
When creating the chassis of the Merkava tank, the Israeli military decided to take as a basis a similar element of the Centurion tank. The suspension of the British car is characterized by good resistance to explosive devices and mines. It uses coil springs and attaches each suspension unit separately to the body using four bolts. The latter feature makes it possible to easily replace damaged parts, as well as make the bottom of the hull V-shaped, thereby increasing its resistance to explosions from below. On each side the tank has 6 rubber-coated support rollers, 5 support rollers, a guide wheel at the rear and a drive wheel at the front. The track design was also borrowed from the British Centurion.
About "Shining Lightning"
As a result of modernization, Israeli engineers created an improved model of the tank. In the technical documentation, the new armored military equipment is listed as Merkava Mk-4 Barak Zoner, which means “shining lightning.” Simplified - BAZ. An updated fire control system was developed for the tank by the Israeli company Elbit Ltd. The introduction of this system allows projectiles fired from combat armored vehicles to automatically follow the target. As a result, the probability of destroying the target from the first shot increases significantly. In addition to this complex, commander's panoramic optics are included. According to the manufacturer of the updated fire control system (FCS), the abbreviation BAZ is applicable not only to the 4th model of the Merkava. This designation will be used for all models of armored vehicles equipped with this fire control system.
The Israeli Self-Defense Forces assigned weapons designers the task of bringing tank support up to the BAZ level. Modernization began with Merkava-4. In total, 400 MBT units of this model were subject to improvement. In order to meet the BAZ level, the tank must be equipped with a new active armor protection system (SAZB). Installation of the complexes into tanks began in 1999. Two versions of the systems were tested: IMI and Rafael. By the start of serial production of the Merkava-4, a third version of the SAZB, Trophy, appeared. However, financial difficulties in the country prevented further design work on this active protection system. At the time of serial production, the Mk-4 Trophy was not yet completed. Nevertheless, Israeli designers have provided for the possibility of installing this SASB in the future.
The engineers chose the ASPRO active protection system. Installation of SAZB is carried out on both Mk-4 and early models. The first 30 tanks, upgraded to the BAZ level, were ready in 2009. Most of the armored vehicles were completed in 2010. In 2011, work on the development of the MBT was completed.
Tank Merkava-4 - video
The Merkava tank development program was approved in August 1970, shortly after Great Britain refused to sell Chieftain tanks to Israel. The design work was headed by Major General Israel Tal, which is unusual for the world practice of tank building. Tal was not an engineer, but a combat officer, a participant in all Arab-Israeli wars. During the Six-Day War, he commanded one of the three armored columns that defeated Egyptian troops in the Sinai, and in the late 1960s he took over as commander of the armored forces of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A steel mock-up of the tank was made already in April 1971; during 1972, the concept of front placement of the engine-transmission compartment (MTO) on the converted Centurion tank was worked out. In December 1974, the first two prototypes were built. The first 4 production tanks were handed over to the IDF in April 1979, and in October of the same year, the Merkava Mk.1 was officially put into service.
Design
A characteristic feature of the tank is its layout with the engine and transmission compartment located in the front part of the hull. This design solution provides additional protection for the crew. A unique feature of the Merkava tanks is the presence of a compartment in the rear used for transporting troops or wounded (additional ammunition can also be placed in the compartment). This feature turns the Merkava, in fact, into a universal combat vehicle, capable of fulfilling, depending on the combat situation, the tactical role of a tank, an armored personnel carrier, and an infantry fighting vehicle. The compartment has an armored door at the rear, allowing the crew to leave the tank from the rear in critical situations.
Hull and turret
The tank's hull and turret are cast and have large armor angles (up to 75-80°). The removable upper armor plate of the MTO is slightly raised in relation to the rest of the hull, and its edge overlaps the lower part of the turret when viewed from the front, protecting the most vulnerable joint in the tank between the turret and the hull. In front of the upper armor plate there is a hinged panel for access to the engine and carrying out simple routine maintenance on it. The transverse armored partition is installed inside the hull directly in front of the engine, the space between the bulkhead and the frontal part is occupied by fuel tanks. Another armor bulkhead separates the engine from the fighting compartment.
The engine-transmission compartment is shifted to the right side of the hull, and the control compartment is located to the left of it. The driver has three fixed periscope devices, and the middle one can be replaced with a non-illuminated night vision device. Due to the significant displacement of his workplace to the left side and the slight angle of inclination of the upper armor plate of the MTO, the driver's view to the right is greatly limited. The driver gets to his place either through the aft hatch and fighting compartment, or through a sliding hatch in the upper armor plate of the hull.
The main fuel supply is located in fuel tanks installed in the rear of the armored fender niches. In the fender sponsons, which have spaced armor, units are located between the armor plates, damage to which does not lead to the tank losing its combat effectiveness. In the upper front part of the right and left fender niches there are grilles for air intake that cools the engine. The air outlet grilles and the exhaust outlet are located in the side of the right fender niche. Mixing exhaust gases with cooling air helps reduce the visibility of the tank in the infrared range. Air intake to power the engine is carried out through a grille from the area behind the step of the upper MTO armor plate on the right side of the turret.
The turret of the Merkava tank is wedge-shaped, which facilitates the ricochet of shells when fired from the front hemisphere. The turret armor is spaced apart; additional protective elements are installed in the gap between the walls. A large basket is attached to the aft niche of the tower.
The gunner's workplace is located to the right of the gun. The gunner has an optical sight with 8x magnification and a built-in laser rangefinder and a periscope viewing device. In front of the optical head of the sight, special ribs are welded to the surface of the turret, facilitating the ricochet of bullets and shell fragments. Information about the range to the target from the laser rangefinder enters the ballistic computer. Data on target speed, roll angles, atmospheric conditions (wind speed, pressure, temperature) are entered into the computer automatically, and data on the type of projectile and wear of the bore is entered manually. Atmospheric parameter sensors are installed on a retractable telescopic mast located on the left in the rear part of the tower.
The commander is located behind the gunner, his seat is elevated in relation to the gunner's seat. The commander has a panoramic optical sight with variable magnification (from 4× to 20×). The commander's sight has day and night optical branches from the gunner's rangefinder sight, thanks to which he can give target designation to the latter, and, if necessary, fire from the cannon instead of the gunner. In addition to the panoramic sight, five periscope fixed viewing devices are installed around the commander's hatch.
The loader's position is to the left of the gun. It has one rotating observation device installed. If necessary, the loader can serve as a driver or gunner. Radio communication equipment is located in the tower, to the left of the loader's position.
At the rear of the hull there is a compartment for accommodating additional ammunition, a reserve crew or six paratroopers. You can also install four stretchers with the wounded there. The aft armor plate has a 600 mm wide double-leaf hatch for access to the fighting compartment. The upper part of the hatch opens upwards, the lower part downwards. The tactics for using the Merkava tank do not involve transporting soldiers to the battlefield. The standard is a crew of four people and placement of ammunition in the aft compartment.
A high-speed automatic fire extinguishing system "Spectronics" is installed in the combat and engine compartments. The tank is also equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. A collective-type filter-ventilation unit is installed in the aft part of the hull. Access to the filter-ventilation unit is through a door measuring 80x80 cm, which is located to the right of the tank axis in the rear armor plate. The same door on the left closes the battery compartment.
Armament
The Merkava is equipped with an American 105-mm M68 rifled gun (licensed version of the English L7). All guns for the Merkava were manufactured at Israel Military Industries enterprises. Gun pointing angles in the vertical plane range from −8.5 to +20°. The barrel is equipped with a thermally insulating casing to avoid bending of the barrel axis due to uneven heating. The gun mantlet, like on the Chieftain tank, is missing. The tank's ammunition capacity is 62 rounds, but if necessary (in overload) it can be increased to 86 rounds. The ammunition includes rounds with five types of projectiles - feathered armor-piercing sub-caliber, cumulative, armor-piercing high-explosive, smoke and a projectile with ready-made sub-caliber elements. Most of the ammunition (48 rounds) is located in the rear of the tank hull in fiberglass containers with an internal rubber insulating coating, four rounds each.
The gun is stabilized in two planes. The drives for turning the turret and pointing the gun in the vertical plane are electro-hydraulic. The hydraulic accumulator and hydraulic power unit are located in the rear niche of the turret and are separated from the fighting compartment by an armored partition.
Auxiliary weapons include a coaxial 7.62 mm MAG machine gun, produced in Israel under a Belgian license. The machine gun is mounted to the left of the cannon. Two more of the same machine guns are mounted on brackets next to the commander and loader hatches. The total ammunition load for machine guns is 10,000 rounds. A remote-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun is installed above the gun barrel; Aiming a heavy machine gun is carried out using the main gunner's sight. A 60mm mortar is mounted on the left side of the turret roof; it is fired by the loader from the open hatch. Ammunition - 30 high-explosive fragmentation, smoke and lighting mines.
Power point
The engine is an American air-cooled diesel engine “Teledyne Continental” AVDS-1790-5A with turbocharging. The diesel engine is boosted to 900 hp. With. AVDS-1790 engine, installed on the American M60 and Israeli Centurion and M48 tanks. The transmission is also American, Allison CD-850-6B, but modernized by Israeli specialists, semi-automatic, hydromechanical, with a hydrostatic turning mechanism.
Chassis
The suspension is independent, Christie-type spring. On each side there are six rubber-coated track rollers with a diameter of 790 mm and five support rollers: two of them support the upper branch of the caterpillar at the part farthest from the hull, and three at the nearest part. The suspension elements are located on the outside of the body. Telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers are mounted on two front and two rear suspension units. The dynamic stroke of the track rollers is 210 mm. Each suspension unit is attached to the body with four bolts and can be quickly replaced if it fails due to a mine explosion. Front driven wheels. The abandonment of the torsion bar suspension made it possible to make the bottom of the hull smooth, V-shaped, which, along with the spaced armor of the bottom, increases the protection of the hull during mine detonation. The balancers of odd-numbered rollers are directed towards the bow of the tank, and of even-numbered ones - towards the stern, so externally the suspension units form three bogies in pairs, which can be misleading, and some sources indicate that the Merkava’s suspension is a balancer-spring one, although in fact In fact, she is independent.
The tracks are all-metal, with open joints. The width of the tracks is 640 mm, the number of tracks in the caterpillar is 110, the length of the supporting surface is 4.52 m. The undercarriage is covered with six-section screens made of steel armor. The screens can be folded up to access the suspension elements.
Tank "Merkava" Mk.4M, equipped with the "Trophy" system
Production
The development of the Merkava was carried out by IDF engineers, and the production of tanks is carried out under their direct control.
Serial production of the Merkava Mk.1 began in mid-1979. In total, about 250 tanks of this model were produced. All Merkava Mk.1 tanks were partially upgraded to the Mk.2 level (Merkava Mk.1B). For the first time in the world, all ammunition had fire-resistant packaging. In the stern there was a mechanized ammunition rack for 5 shells.
The bulk of the components and assemblies of tanks are manufactured in Israel by private subcontracting companies, however, due to the lack of a full production cycle of tank construction, elements of the engine and transmission group, such as the propulsion system, are supplied from the United States (a similar form of American-Israeli military-technical cooperation is observed in the sector production of Kfir fighters). This dependence of the Israeli tank-building industry on external supplies has more than once caused concern in the highest military-political circles of Israel regarding the achievement of industrial autarky in this area (especially in the event that a presidential administration comes to power in the United States, determined to deteriorate American-Israeli relations and even imposing an embargo on the export of certain groups of goods), - in this context, there was a debate between two main groups of interests, the first of which, led by Yitzhak Rabin, advocated increasing autonomy of the national military industry, the second, led by Shimon Peres, believed that enough will diversify the sources of certain strategically important resources and materials at the expense of European countries, however, this issue has not been finally resolved. As a matter of fact, the very decision to design and create the Merkava was at one time dictated by the UK’s refusal to jointly produce the Chieftain tanks in 1969 - at that time various international consortia were created for the development of armored vehicles and military aircraft, Israel participated The Chieftain had been in development since 1966, and since some experience had already been accumulated in this area, the creation of the Merkava began on the initiative of General Israel Tal.
Tank assembly is carried out at state enterprises. Initially, the assembly of tanks was carried out in the assembly shops of MASHA (the Latin transliteration of the Hebrew abbreviation meaning “Repair and restoration centers of the IDF rear service”). Then, specifically for these purposes, a state body for coordinating work in the field of tank construction, MANTAK (abbr. “Administration of the Merkava Project”), was created.
Merkava Mk.4 has been in service since 2002; was put into service in 2004. According to the American military analytical agency Forecast International, the Merkava-4 tank is the best main battle tank in the world for 2010. 28% of the tank's parts are imported, including the engine and transmission. The tank has a spring suspension (practically not used in the world), although it has its advantages, it definitely reduces the accuracy of shooting while moving. At the rear there is a compartment for landing (evacuating the wounded), which sharply increases the effectiveness of the tank as a whole in low-intensity battles, in return reducing the tank's security due to the armor being smeared to a greater extent.
In 2005, the re-equipment of the regular 401st brigade with new tanks was completed. Since 2011, only the Merkava Mk.4 BAZ has been in production (started in 2009). By 2013, it was planned to re-equip two more brigades with the Merkava Mk.4: the regular 7th brigade and the reservist brigade.
In June 2010, the tank was declassified and exhibited at the 10th international exhibition of armaments and military equipment of ground forces and ground-based air defense systems "Eurosatori 2010" in Paris in connection with the search for a partner for further modernization. During the exhibition, the Russian delegation led by the head of armaments V. Popovkin showed interest in the vehicle, for whom they made an extensive presentation.
Unlike previous models, which were equipped with various modifications of the Teledyne Continental Motors diesel engine. AVDS-1790 is air-cooled, the Merkava Mk.4 is equipped with an American GD883 diesel engine (licensed production of the German MTU883 diesel engine) with water cooling with a capacity of 1500 hp. With. The engine is made in a single unit with a 5-speed automatic transmission Renk RK 325 from the German company Renk. In 2012, it was stated that the engine has had reliability problems for 9 years and requires removal for repairs every 200 km; these data were actively reprinted by authoritative media and as of 2015 have not been officially refuted. In 2012, the IDF said the problem had been resolved, without specifying in what year. There is no equipment for overcoming water barriers because it is not necessary, and there is also no equipment for self-digging.
The configuration of the turret's armor modules has changed significantly, and the gun is equipped with a mantlet. The roof armor has also been significantly strengthened: the armor dimensions have increased and cover the entire roof, and not just the front part, as on the Mk.3B and Mk.3D models. As a result of these measures, the loader was deprived of a hatch, and the commander’s massive hatch can only be opened using a special mechanism. The air intake grilles on the niches have been removed (only the exhaust grille on the right side remains). A steel sheet with an air gap increases resistance to mines, ground clearance has been reduced to 430 mm. The upper frontal part is now devoid of a convexity, which has improved the driver's visibility; in addition, the driver has received a rear-view video camera. The gunner's sight has been moved to the roof. The tank is equipped with a new commander’s panoramic sight with an independent thermal imager and an on-board combat information and control system “Tsayad” (“Hunter”). The mortar and chassis were modernized.
The tank is equipped with a new MG253 gun (a variant of the German Rh-120 gun), designed for increased pressure of powder gases. In the turret niche behind the armored partition, an electric drum mechanism was installed for 10 shells (similar to the Soviet T-55), which supplies shells to the loader (the remaining 36 are in the rear of the hull), each shell is stored in a protective case. The gun allows you to fire LAHAT missiles.
The 70-ton (65 t - empty weight without ammunition, crew, etc.) Merkava Mk.4 has a 1.42 times lower degree of protection (3.18 t/m³) than the 50-ton (empty weight — 46.5 t) T-90 (4.54 t/m³). It should be taken into account that, due to the massive introduction of fire control systems, the combat statistics of shells hitting a tank in the 2000s changed dramatically - now the majority of shell hits are in the hull, and not in the turret. At the same time, the lower frontal sheet has a thickness (but not the equivalent of protection) of only 100 mm and it is located high, behind it there is a mechanical maintenance compartment and a mechanical drive. Shooting on the move is complicated by a very heavy nose. Shooting from a standstill is complicated by the engine exhaust coming in front of the fire control devices (in the ±15° sector). The KAZ elements are located openly and are vulnerable to bullets and shrapnel (which is also typical for other KAZs).
After the 2006 war, it was decided to equip the tank with the Israeli-made “Trophy” active protection complex, designed to destroy ATGM/RPG shells that threaten the tank, which made the Mk.4 the first foreign MBT with KAZ. The tank initially had the ability to install active protection, but due to insufficient funding it was not equipped with it. Serial production of tanks equipped with KAZ “Trophy” and designated “Merkava Mk.4M” began at the end of 2008, and in the spring of 2009 they began to enter service with the troops. The tank is equipped with 4 radars, providing all-round visibility for the KAZ, its installation adds 10% to the cost of the tank, the estimated price of the tank is $3.7 million (as of the mid-2000s); There is also acoustic detection of sniper fire. The cost of the Trophy is $0.2 million, the weight when installed on the Mk.4 is 771 kg.
On March 1, 2011, the active protection system was successfully tested in combat conditions in the Gaza Strip. In June 2012, the equipment of the 401st brigade of the KAZ “Trophy” was completed.
Prospects
In 2012, the Ministry of Defense formed a group led by Reserve Brigadier General Didi Ben-Yoash, which was to be responsible for developing the “tank of the future” for the Israel Defense Forces. Heads of the defense industry and the command of the ground forces were invited to express their opinions on what this tank should look like. It was supposed to be lighter, smaller, with automatic charging and a crew of two, and to have at its disposal a modular weapon system that included various types, including missiles. In September 2013, the Israel Defense website reported that the Israeli Ministry of Defense, as part of the IDF’s new multi-year development plan, decided to consider possible alternatives and not develop the fifth model Merkava tank, but to continue production of the Merkava Mk.4. The next generation will not be the Merkava-5, but a tank with different fire, protective and propulsion characteristics. Later it was decided to return to MK 4.
Modernization
- “Merkava Mk.1B” (1983) - partial modernization of already built Mk.1s to the level of Mk.2. An anti-cumulative screen in the form of chains with balls is hung on the basket at the stern of the tower; side screens replaced; The Matador Mk.1 fire control system has been upgraded to the Mk.2 or Mk.2B level. At the same time, there is no additional armor on the turret, the 60-mm mortar remains external (on the right side of the turret), and there are no baskets for property at the rear of the hull (they act as anti-cumulative screens).
- Merkava Mk.2D (1999) - modernization of the previously built Merkava Mk.2B. Additional armor for the hull and turret, so-called. “fourth generation armor” (Merkava Mk.1 had first generation armor, Mk.2 - second, and Mk.3 - third).
In addition, most of the reservist Merkava Mk.3 received additional turret roof armor. And tanks that have the ability to install a “Baz” sight also received it.
Vehicles based
- 155-mm self-propelled howitzer "Sholef" ("experienced shooter", also known as "Slammer") - two prototypes were built in 1984-1986, but the self-propelled gun was not put into service and was not mass-produced.
- ARV "Namer" - created on the basis of Mk.3, did not go into series.
- Heavy armored personnel carrier "Namer" - development began in 2006 on the chassis of the Mk.1 tank, adopted by the IDF in 2008 and mass-produced.
About Israeli LIC combat vehicles
According to experts, Merkava-4 tanks (photo of this Israeli OTB model in the article), upgraded to the BAZ level, turned out to be very effective in urban battles. The modified 4th model was called LIC. It was developed on the basis of the Merkava Mark-4 tank. In the city tank, Israeli gunsmiths decided not to install a standard standard 7.62 mm machine gun on the turret. The Mk-4 LIC is equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun, the fire impact of which is sufficiently high density, so that the artillery part of the weapon does not need to be used.
Since the use of a tank gun in urban conditions can lead to significant casualties among civilians, the main weapon is not used in this case. The crew of the armored combat vehicle uses a remote fire control module. In this tank model, all parts vulnerable to small arms and fragmentation grenades are reliably protected by a special metal mesh. It is designed to protect optical and ventilation devices, as well as motor exhaust openings.
In order to preserve the asphalt surface in the city, this model of combat armored vehicles is equipped with special track shoes. Poor visibility and night time do not prevent the Mk-4 LIC from successfully passing through the city. If necessary, the crew can use LED optics. In 2006, military operations against Hezbollah were carried out using these combat vehicles.
Combat use of the Merkava tank
The Merkava (Mk 1) was first used in combat during the 1982 Lebanon War. On the Israeli side, about 200 vehicles of this model took part (that is, all available at that time), the tank showed good survivability, the total losses amounted to 30-50 vehicles, and there were no more than 10 irretrievably lost tanks. A good result, however, is evidenced for the most part only that all the damaged vehicles during the successful Israeli offensive remained in the territory controlled by Israel and were successfully repaired afterwards. Since it was not possible to encounter modern vehicles of its class, the Merkava, in that war (there is not a single proof of real combat contact with the Syrian T-72s), it is quite difficult to judge the real combat effectiveness of the Mk 1 in that war. It is also worth noting that the Merkava Mk 1 was a new technology at that time, not fully tested, and for this reason there was a fairly significant percentage of non-combat failures, mainly related to engine overheating.
As can be seen even from the photograph, the Merkava Mk 4 is a completely different car
The second big war for the Merkava was the Lebanon War of 2006, in which tanks of the Mk 2-4 models took part, in the amount of 200-400 vehicles. Again, the main enemy was not enemy tanks, but ATGMs - about 50 vehicles received damage of varying degrees of severity from contact with them, while 5 tanks were completely burned. The tank really justified its title as a reliable vehicle: out of 18 knocked out Merkavas of the Mk.4 model, the armor was penetrated only in 6 cases, while the average crew loss in “pierced” tanks was 1 person.
Of the episodic clashes with the use of Merkava, it is worth noting the conflict in Southern Lebanon (1997), and operations in the Gaza Strip (until 2014) - in all cases, tanks were hit with ATGMs of varying degrees of "antiquity" and partially came out of building, but there were no cases of complete destruction as a result of hits (except for the explosion of 2 vehicles by landmines in 2002 in the Gaza Strip). On the other hand, Israel does not share accurate data on the losses of its equipment (especially the most modern) with anyone, and according to representatives of the Hezbollah organization, losses in the Merkva are much more sensitive than is commonly believed.
About modeling armored vehicles
For consumers who are interested in modeling, a wide range of different models of combat armored vehicles is presented on the shelves of specialized stores. Judging by the numerous positive reviews, South Korean products are very popular. The assembled Merkava-4 is a plastic version of the Israeli tank on a scale of 1:35. The total length of the model is 248 mm. The set includes:
- Special frames in the amount of 7 pieces.
- Stickers.
- Vinyl tracks.
- Detailed instructions in English.
- A special scheme that is recommended to be used when painting an already assembled tank.
The product is not supplied with glue or paint. The master will also have to additionally acquire a modeling knife, a needle file, wire cutters and a special modeling lens.
