Merkava : main battle tank 1977-1996

The Merkava, or Chariot, was the first tank entirely designed and built by the Israeli Army.

The IDF had previously been using a variety of vehicles, acquired from various sources, including in particular the Sherman and Centurion.

The Merkava was designed specifically for the type of warfare and opponents that Israel faced.

The resulting tank was heavily armoured and packed a powerful 105mm main gun backed up with a digital fire control system and laser range-finder.

This title examines the development and deployment of the Merkava, investigating the changing technical aspects of the various marks, creating a useful and comprehensive study of Israel's most formidable tank.