Merkava

I would like to discouss about the Merava armor. It’s so underwhelming and it doesn’t just make sense.

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Merkava Mk3’s hull and turret are made from pure RHA - there is, no composite whatsoever. All composite armor comes in detachable modules strapped onto the hull and turret.
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Thus, with armor modules on, the relative armor values are around:

front turret - 450mm against APFSDS, 700mm HEAT

upper glacis in thickest place - 420mm APFSDS, 650mm HEAT

lower glacis center - 170mm APFSDS, 250mm HEAT

lower glacis lower part - 220mm APFSDS, 350mm HEAT

Those are not particularly impressive values - on the level of T-72A - and really not great for a 60+ tonnes tank. Mk IV is better, no data, but probably + another 50/100mm of protection.

Right now Merkavas don’t have that armour to it at all.


Please use already existing threads, which you can find with the search function, for example this one Merkava being a cardboard

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