IDF Merkava mk-IIID MBT 3D Model click on the link to see product info
Officially classified as Merkava 3 Baz Dor Dalet



Brief Description
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The Merkava (chariot in Hebrew) is amongst the most advanced tanks currently in service. Unlike a traditional MBT (main battle tank) design, the Merkava has its powerpack in the front rather than the rear, provides better protection to the tank crew. Emphasis is on shielding the crew compartment, rather than the overall protection levels of the tank itself. The Merkava's front-engined configuration allowed for a clamshell door to be positioned at the vehicle's rear. The door gave a much healthier chance for a crew to disembark if their tank had been hit and began to brew up.

The first generation of Merkavas were in service at the time of the 1982 Lebanon. The improved machine, the Merkava 2A, entered service in 1983, and the major variant Merkava 2B entered service in 1985, with upgraded armor configuration, FCS and powerpack. The Merkava 3 came out in 1989, improved the vehicle's ballistic protection, firepower and mobility.

There have been 3 major production blocks for the Merkava 3, blocks 1 and 2 have minor internal changes. The 3rd block - Merkava 3B - are made with additional passive armor on the turret roof.

The modular design of the armor packages fitted to the Merkava 3 allows improvements in ballistic protection levels to be incorporated with relative ease. The most advanced variant - Merkava 3 Baz Dor Dalet - fitted with 4th generation armor as well as an advanced FCS known as Baz (meaning falcon*), providing cutting edge protection to the crew and targeting ability. The Baz FCS began to appear on service machines in 1995.

Merkava 3 Baz Dor Dalet is armed with an Israeli made MG251 L44 120mm gun, which can fire all NATO 120mm rounds and sabots fitted LAHAT rounds, HEAT rounds with flip-out fins, and the new dual purpose APAM rounds (anti-personnel/anti-material). Fitted with AVDS-1790-9AR powerpack, which produces 1,200hp, up to 60kph maximum speed. Secondary armament including 2 turret mounted 7.62mm FN MAG machine guns for commander and loader, some have .50 cal M2 HB machine gun mounted on the main gun barrel, and an internally mounted 60mm mortar (officially known as UAM - Under Armor Mortar).


Derived from the Merkava bible ISBN 3-936519-01-3 - by Marsh Gelbart.

*Although Baz does mean falcon, in this case it is an acronym from the words Barak zoher, shining lightening.
- Advised by Marsh Gelbart