Merkava IV
Posted on 07/22/2004 12:34:28 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4
The Merkava IV tank was deployed in operational duty for the first time Wednesday, rolling out with the Menashe Brigade near Jenin.
The deployment came a year after the first soldiers of the Merkava IV battalion were drafted and exactly according to schedule, a senior armored officer said.
Lt.-Col. Amit Tefler, the G3 (operations officer) of the Armored Corps, said the deployment was a significant "milestone" for the 65-ton, Israeli-built tank.
"Today was D-Day for us. We can now say that the fighters and the tanks are officially and operationally ready to enter action," Tefler told The Jerusalem Post. "We're sure they are going to perform most professionally."
Unlike previous tanks whose crews were drawn from other models, the soldiers operating the Merkava IV have been exclusively with this tank from the day they put on their uniforms.
"This method lets them learn the tank inside out and utilize all of its assets to the maximum," Tefler said.
The deployment near Jenin after their training near Nebi Musa was done without fanfare. Neither senior brass nor interested military attaches were on hand.
"There are a lot of expectations from the Merkava IV battalion. All of the IDF leadership is watching them, all of Israel really. This is a national project," he said.
"It was too early to say what its impact is on the conflict [with the Palestinians]. We know its capabilities only theoretically and it needs to be tested," Tefler said.
According to Tefler, a full brigade of Merkava IV tanks is expected to be operational by the end of 2005.
The $3 million Merkava IV, like the Mk III, has the ability to shoot down helicopters. It also has a newly designed transmission. It has a number of added electronics such as a camera mounted in the back.
The IDF uses tanks in the mainly urban conflict with the Palestinians since they can integrate great firepower with armor protection. It also has a fully integrated battle management system that allows the crew to view what the laser range-finder and thermal night vision sensors pick up, and to relay that data to other units.
The tank is slightly larger than its predecessor and one remarkable difference is that there is only one hatch on the turret which is used by the commander. The rest of the crew slips in and out through a back door. Designers said it was made specifically with battles on the rocky Golan Heights in mind.
The Palestinians are the only ones who have managed to destroy two Merkava III class tanks, both by huge mines.
Merkava IV
ping
Talk about getting a bargain!
If applied properly, it could effect a cure to jihadism.
If applied properly, it could effect a cure to jihadism.
'Yea, that will end decades of hatred and stop the suicide bombers and religious fanatics!'
Bummed out re:your boy Berger! Back to DU Moby! On the other hand, good thread for a troll, just have the Merkava take it out.
Let me guess.. You favor appeasement and surrender?
Wave the white flag, and bend over and take it in the a$$.
Go back to DU...
Oooon the waaaay!
Next target......
Cannoneer - what are nods?
Are nods cammo nets?
The lower part of the turret looks like a shell trap to me...
Certainly designed to FACE and enemy. Not a French design.
I love their breach loaded mortar for use against ground troops so they don't need to waste main gun rounds.
Cavnavs; NVG's
Merkava IV bump.
woohoo!
what's the MSRP on one of them? I want one...
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