but uses US-type M-109 SP artillery.
Is the US not able to provide Israel with safer tanks?
Israel is very proud of their Merkava. They did not purchase the M1-A1. Don't think the M1-A2 was offered to Israel.
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava/
The Israel's design their own tanks. Reportedly, theirs is the safest in the world.
In the battle between armor and anti-armor weapons, the anti-armor eventually wins in the long run. Same with fortifications vs. shells.
....I believe the tanks in question are of Israeli manufacture, not U.S. tanks.... the "Merkava" (or "chariot" in Hebrew...) is a great tank, but it must have "met its match" in this recent conflict with the HezziBullahs....
I believe I saw on another website where some 20 or so of these tanks were knocked out.... that's a goodly number of "dead armor" there...........