Posted on 07/24/2016 6:47:25 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
“If Thy people go out to battle against their enemy, by whatsoever way Thou shalt send them, and they pray unto Hashem toward the city which Thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Thy name” I Kings 8:44 (The Israel Bible™)
The Israeli Defense Force’s (IDF) Battalion 82 recently decided to drop its decades-old Merkava MK 2 tanks and launched into a new world of military technology by adopting the cutting edge Merkava MK 4 tanks in their place, reported The Jerusalem Post.
A part of the 7 Armored Brigade, Battalion 82 was formed prior to Israel’s War of Independence in 1948 and has since taken part in each of Israel’s wars, according to Major Itamar Michaeli, the battalion’s deputy commander.
Upon completing its mission to secure the unstable Syrian border in mid-July, Battalion 82 entered a lengthy conversion training program to enable IDF crews to become familiar with the Merkava 4. Over the coming weeks, members of the battalion will learn how to fully operate the Rafael-made Trophy active protections system, which intercepts anti-tank missiles, and how to utilize the tank’s radars, which can detect the location of enemy combatants by scanning 360 degrees around the tank’s perimeter.
Additionally, the tanks can provide a level of intense firepower that infantry is not equipped to carry out.
Further, the soldiers will gain an understanding of the advanced computers and communications systems inside the tanks. The computers on board the Merkava 4 can send and receive precise information on enemy coordinates, sharing the data with other tanks, artillery units, and even the air force.
“The tank is a game changer,” Maj. Michaeli affirmed.
During the IDF’s war against Hamas in 2014, Operation Protective Edge, Maj. Michaeli fought in a combined paratroopers-armored corps team in Gaza, and explained how he saw first hand how the tanks’ arrival amid engagement with the enemy truly changed the outcome on the battlefield.
Emphasizing his belief in the importance of employing tanks in warfare, said Maj. Michaeli, “In every battle I’ve known, tanks had prevented many casualties, and destroyed the enemy. They enabled medics to move in and rapidly evacuate the wounded soldiers, saving critical time.”
Expressing his own support for Battalion 82’s decision to acquire Merkava 4 tanks, Michaeli said “Here [with the Merkava MK 4] we have the opportunity of fighting over a wider area, with a more credible, more powerful platform, that can do greater damage,” explaining that the new tanks will easily enable the battalion to spread out wider on the battlefield rather than moving in a single column, as the Merkava 2 formations do.
Simply put, tanks remain absolutely essential for Israel’s success on the front line, argued Maj. Michaeli, especially in light of the current age of asymmetrical warfare. “In infantry against infantry situations, if there is no numerical advantage to either side, both sides incur many casualties. When you create a local advantage by sending in tanks, you break the balance,” he shared with The Jerusalem Post.
All Merkava 2 tanks have since left the service of all conscripted IDF units, but will remain available for some reserve tank crews.
Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/72457/idf-tank-technology-takes-giant-leap-forward-new-merkava-mk-4/#UlpUZMrd3ekzId6e.99
Bibi’s boys have a new toy to send a whole bunch of reprobates to the virgins. Delicious.
Nice sloping of the armour.I would think that most shots would skid off.
We’re had this tank in ARMA 3 for a couple of years. It’s the NATO M2A1 Slammer.
Is this the same as the Merkava 4 that’s been around for ten or so years? Seems like the tank is just new to this somewhat notable unit, not a new tank.
I’ve never seen a turret silhouette that low. The Israelis are capable of some fine engineering when it comes to battlefield weapons. If I were the towelheads, I’d take that into consideration before launching my next futile, suicidal attack.
This would be a game-changer in a conventional war; I don’t know what implications it has against teens armed with hatchets lashing out as guardposts...
The area between the turret & the hull makes for a pretty good “shot trap”. That’s the opposing gunner’s aim point.
I see what you’re talking about.
Really short canon barrel. Is it felt that long range engagement is not productive or does it fire guided rounds?
The Israelis have other weapons for dealing with that type of war. The “Sword of Gideon” comes to mind ...
It can carry eights troops in addition to crew?
It’s the Bradly done right.
The compartment in the rear is for rapid reloading of ammunition. It is not designed to carry troops like an M2. In a pinch such as an evacuation you could put troops and wounded in there but IT IS NOT AN IFV.
“Why such a short barreled main gun?”
I think some of the real length of the barrel is incorporated into the sloping turret.
Hmmm...good question I do not have an answer for.
Well the link Jack provided stated:
“Merkava 4 main battle tank capabilities
The tank is capable of carrying eight infantry soldiers, a command group or three litter patients (stretcher casualties) in addition to the tank crew of commander, loader, gunner and driver. The tank is capable of firing on the move at moving targets and has demonstrated high hit probability in firing against attack helicopters using conventional anti-tank munitions.
Major contractors include: the El Op Electro-Optic Industries subsidiary of Elbit Systems which is responsible for the fire control system; the Israel Defence Force which carries out main construction and system integration and testing; Israel Military Industries for the supply of the main gun, ballistic protection and munitions; Imco Industries for the electrical systems; Urdan Industries for the hull, main turret and castings; and IAI Ramta for protection components.
The main part of the tank production, the construction of the hull and integration of all the systems is carried out in the Israel Defence Force workshop.”
Just going by what I read. Can’t vouch for the veracity.
Any exterior communications connectivity apparatus for the radios and computer links such as antennas and their mounts could be their Achilles heel for coordination of defense and attack.
I bet that they could be shot off or damaged by accurate rifle shots from 500+ yards away.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.