The Merkava is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Development began in 1973, and it entered service in 1978. Four variants of the Merkava have been developed to date. It saw its first major combat use during the 1982 Lebanon War. The name "Merkava" is derived from the original IDF development program designation; in Hebrew, the word means "chariot." The Merkava was designed specifically to prioritize combat survivability, cost-effectiveness, off-road mobility, and rapid battlefield repair. Its turret is positioned further toward the rear of the hull than in most main battle tanks, while the front-mounted engine provides additional protection against frontal attacks. This design is considered one of the most advanced tank designs in the world.
Model dimensions: Length: 258.2 mm; Width: 113.5 mm
Total parts: 1,230+
