[aegiscg47]

The Merkava was built to deal with the Syrian, Egyptian, and Iraqi T-72s and possible T-80s, so it was fine for the 1990's, but it has stagnated. Also, probes and raids with tanks isn't the most efficient use of armor, leading to the enemy being able to pick off vehicles at will. Armor needs to be used in full scale assaults, backed by artillery and air support so that enemy forces don't have a chance to get set up for a attack with AT missiles.

Also, it looks like the Hezbos got some of the new top attack AT missiles from Russia(via Iran and Syria) or they have modified their tactics to attack the Merkava at it's weak points. The M1A2 has better ceramic armor, fire suppression, and armor on the top that would defeat most of these types of attacks.

[Tallguy]

Thank you. I've been saying the same thing on other threads. There is nothing wrong with the Merk other than the way it is being used -- as an assault gun. It wouldn't matter if they were using M1A2's except that perhaps more of the crews would survive (which isn't trivial).

[GarySpFc]

Iran obtained and reverse-engineered our TOW missiles from Iran-Contra, and that might be part of the problem.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Is Hezbollah using wire guided Sagger missiles against IDF tanks?

[VOA]

...probes and raids with tanks isn't the most efficient use of armor, leading
to the enemy being able to pick off vehicles at will. Armor needs to
be used in full scale assaults, backed by artillery and air support
so that enemy forces don't have a chance to get set up for a attack
with AT missiles.

I'm a never-served civilian.
But from what little I read, that's what I was thinking.

IIRC, the reason Croatia was able to stave off tank attacks was the
use of Milans. And I read that one of the units being used by Hezbollah.

[Little Ray]

The Hezbollah has Kornets (AT-14), the latest missile from the Sov, er, Russians. It can knock out a Merkava through its frontal armor.