Israel’s Defense Ministry Pens New Merkava Tank Procurement

Israel’s armored corps will benefit from a hefty tank production uptick over the next five years. As part of the new plan to accelerate main battle tank (MBT) production, the $1.5 billion contract will bolster Israel’s armored vehicle inventory while ramping up the production rates of the latest Merkava iteration. Israel’s Defense Ministry highlighted the effective use of these vehicles in the nation’s ongoing war in Gaza against Iran and its proxy affiliates in its proposal to the Knesset. “The Swords of Iron war proved how critical Merkava tanks and Namer and Eitan APCs are for successful IDF ground operations. Today’s approval of this over-5 billion shekel armored vehicle acceleration project is a strategic decision that maintains the [Israel Defense Forces] IDF’s qualitative military edge and our ability to prevail in any arena,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Meet Israel’s Merkava Tank

The Merkava platform has served Israel’s armored corps for nearly half a century. Due to frequent upgrades and modification packages, the Merkava has remained relevant in the modern era. The Israeli-designed super-tank was developed shortly after the country’s founding. In the late 1960s, the Israeli Army was working to procure a modified version of the British Chieftain tank, which was planned to serve as the nation’s leading MBT. However, the UK ultimately withdrew from this project, leaving Israel to look fully inward to develop a tank series capable of protecting its borders. Following lessons learned from the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the full-scale development and construction of a domestic MBT was initiated.

In terms of survivability, the Merkava series is virtually unparalleled. Even the first iterations of this tank platform prioritized protection over everything else. Particularly, the IDF incorporated thick-space armor and reversed the typical engine transmission position in order to provide extra protection for its crew. This design resulted in greater space in the MBT’s rear, which increased storage capacity and access to adversarial fire for the tank’s operators.

Over the years, several upgraded versions of the Israeli tank platform have been introduced. More recent iterations sport the Trophy Active Protective System, which shields the tank from a host of projectiles, including high-explosive tank rounds, anti-tank rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles. The latest “Barak” iteration of the Merkava is even more capable. The fifth-generation variant debuted in 2023 and features other new technologies that give it an edge over competitors, including advanced artificial intelligence, helmets, and multi-touch screens. The Elbit helmet displays information about ongoing fighting to its operator, and “generates an image that enables the crew to ‘see through’ the vehicle’s armor,” according to the helmet’s manufacturer. Similar to a fighter pilot’s helmet, this advanced system enables 360-degree scanning in real time with the aid of artificial intelligence capabilities.