Merkava Mk 1/Mk 2 The Merkava (Chariot) MET design is the brainchild of the legendary Israeli Armoured Corps officer Major General Israel Tal and is based on the concept that the survivability of the tank crew is the prime factor rather than the more usual trade-off areas of armour protection, firepower and mobility. Using this starting point General Tal and his design team made every part of the Merkava play its part in providing protection for the crew. The engine was placed at the front of the tank, the most suitable ballistic armour shapes and structures were found for the low profile turret and hull and the protected fuel tanks, ammunition bins and equipment stowage areas were used to provide 'spaced armour' type
protection around the crew compartment. The commander's position even has a special collapsible umbrella type top protection armour device to allow for the classic Israeli 'open hatch' combat operation. A rear two-piece crew escape/ammunition loading hatch/ troop embarkation-disembarkation system is also fitted. This crew safety concept was validated in the 1982 Peace for Galilee War as only 7 Merkava Mk 1 tanks were totally destroyed (compared to 8 Sho't and 37 Mag'ach) in Lebanon. None of the Merkava losses resulted from secondary ammunition explosions due to enemy fire and, more importantly, no Merkava had any of its crewmen killed.
Israel In combat against the Syrian tanks the Merkava destroyed a large number of Soviei supplied T-55 and T-62 medium tanks as well as several T-72 vehicles. It also proved to be quite a useful vehicle for fighting in built-up areas by providing both a mobile firepower base and a means to safely transport troops. The main armament is the Israeli made 105 mm M68 rifled gun firing HEAT, HESH, canister and APFSDS-T ammunition. The Matador Mk 1 computerised fire control system is fitted. The Merkava Mk 2 introduced additional special passive armour protection on the turret front and sides and hull front, new special armour side skirts and powerpack transmission
