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