The Merkava Mk.1 is a Tier 5 progression Main Battle Tank under Sol Schreiber's dealership.
History[ | ]
Class: Main Battle Tank
Developed: 1970-1980
Service: 1980+
Vehicles Built: 250-350 (sources vary)
Operators: Israel
The Merkava ("Chariot") series is one of the most famous MBTs in the world, designed in Israel specifically with the IDF requirements in mind. All variants feature sloped armor and front-mounted engines, offering maximum protection to their crews. The design has its roots in the 1970s in a program led by one of the most influential tank visionaries of all time, General Israel Tal. Its heavily upgraded variants are still in service.
Contrary to its current reputation and popular belief, the Merkava program started only as an attempt to actually produce something at least roughly equal to western MBTs of the time without having to rely heavily on foreign components due to the fact that the favor of superpowers was fickle at best. This didn't happen either, the initial Merkava model was essentially comparable to the two decades older M60A1 in performance (that is, without taking the teething issues it faced into account) and most internal modules of this “all-Israeli” tank were American.
Several designs and wooden mockups were completed in 1970 and the first four finalized prototypes were ready by 1974 with the Merkava Mk.1 entering official production in April 1979. The first fully equipped battalion of 30 tanks was operational starting from 1980. The first Merkava was essentially a prototype pushed into service and suffered from a number of teething issues. It was large, heavy, unreliable and slow. Its armor was made of steel only with a nasty shot trap at the back of the turret and its mobility was hampered by its weak engine. However, compared to the Magach tanks, the Merkava crews had higher chances to survive. By the time the 1982 Operation Peace for Galilee (the Lebanon War) took place, roughly 200 Merkava Mk.1 tanks were in service with some participating in the fighting.
Vehicle Traits[ | ]
- Armored: This vehicle's armor can withstand a lot of punishment, allowing it to survive even serious firefights.
- Improved Progression: This vehicle earns extra Experience, allowing you to progress faster in the game.
- High Durability: This vehicle has more hitpoints than other vehicles of this Tier.
- HESH Rounds: This vehicle can fire special Squash Head rounds. These are extremely effective against angled armor that is typical for Soviet tanks.
- Ready Rack: This vehicle features a Ready Rack, which consists of several easily accessible rounds. It can fire several rounds in rapid succession, after which the reload time increases. Ready Rack reloads automatically when not in combat.
Ammunition[ | ]
| Ammo Name |
Ammo Type |
XP Cost | Damage | Penetration | Velocity | Reload Time |
More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105mm M728 APFSDS | APFSDS | Stock | 320 | 480[note 1] mm | 1428 m/s | 5.80 s | ||
| ||||||||
| 105mm M735 APFSDS | APFSDS |  3,383
|
350 | 510[note 2] mm | 1501 m/s | 5.80 s | ||
| ||||||||
| 105mm M393A1 HEP | HEP | Stock | 280 | 380 mm | 760 m/s | 5.80 s | ||
| ||||||||
| 105mm M456A1 HEAT | HEAT | 6,765
|
455 | 610 mm | 1173 m/s | 5.80 s | ||
| ||||||||
| 7.62mm AP | AP | Stock | 8 | 18[note 3] mm | 855 m/s | 5.00 s | ||
| ||||||||
Upgrades[ | ]
Armor[ | ]
| XP Cost | Credit Cost | Hull Armor |
Hull Composition |
Turret Armor |
Turret Composition |
ERA Name | ERA Penetration Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock | Stock | 510 mm (vs AP) 620 mm (vs HEAT) |
Steel | 835 mm (vs AP) 1475 mm (vs HEAT) |
Steel Layers with Air Gaps | N/A | N/A vs AP N/A vs HEAT |
| This tank features basic sheet armor without any advanced components, making it vulnerable to HEAT shells and ATGMs. However, its heavily sloped armor and the front-mounted engine offer a significant advantage when it comes to crew protection. | |||||||
| XP Cost | Credit Cost | Hull Armor |
Hull Composition |
Turret Armor |
Turret Composition |
ERA Name | ERA Penetration Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,295
|
 224,000
|
510 mm (vs AP) 620 mm (vs HEAT) |
Steel | 835 mm (vs AP) 2030 mm (vs HEAT) |
Steel Layers with Air Gaps | N/A | N/A vs AP N/A vs HEAT |
| This tank features basic sheet armor without any advanced components, making it vulnerable to HEAT shells and ATGMs. However, its heavily sloped armor and the front-mounted engine offer a significant advantage when it comes to crew protection. | |||||||
Weapon[ | ]
| Name | XP Cost | Credit Cost | Aim Time | Reload Time | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105mm M68 Rifled Cannon | Stock | Stock | 1.50 s | 5.80 s | ||
Stats:
Ammo:
105mm M728 APDS 105mm M735 APDS 105mm M393A1 HEP 105mm M456A1 HEAT 7.62mm AP | ||||||
Engine[ | ]
| Name | XP Cost | Credit Cost | Max Speed | Reverse Speed | Forward Acceleration |
Hull Traverse | Fire Chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental AVDS-1790-6A 900 hp Diesel Engine | Stock | Stock | 50 km/h | 30 km/h | 7.79 s (0 to 32 km/h) 28.41 s (0 to Max Speed) |
30.53° | 8 % |
Parts[ | ]
| Name | XP Cost | Credit Cost | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Improved Spall Liner |
2,030
|
19,200
|
Hit points are increased by 300 | |
 Engine Exhaust Smoke Generator |
Stock | Stock | Provides 2 exhaust smoke charges Recharge time: 60s Duration: 14s |
|
Upgraded Exhaust Smoke Generator |
4,835
|
73,145
|
Provides 5 exhaust smoke charges Recharge time: 60s Duration: 14s |
|
 NdLYAG Laser Rangefinder |
10,148
|
128,000
|
Accuracy is improved by 10% | |
 Matador Fire Control System |
13,530
|
160,000
|
Aiming time reduced by 20% | |
 Improved Gun Stabilizer |
Stock | Stock | Overall accuracy while moving is improved by 20% | |
Upgraded Fire Control System Sensors |
Stock | Stock | Reduces the accuracy penalties for firing and traversing the hull. | |
 Improved Suspension |
3,383
|
32,000
|
Movement speed on off-road surfaces is increased by 20% | |
 Ashot Ashkelon Transmission |
6,765
|
64,000
|
Acceleration is increased by 2.5% Hull traverse rate is increased by 10% |
|
 Stock Tracks |
Stock | Stock | Mobility (Light Terrain): 86.1% Mobility (Heavy Terrain): 71.2% |
|
 Fire Suppression System |
1,353
|
12,800
|
Engine fire duration reduced by 23% Crew protection enhanced by 5% |
Other unlocks[ | ]
| Name | Cost | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 Battle Hardened |
 1,100
|
The Battle-Hardened status allows you to earn more Experience and Credits and also grants preferential matchmaking to the vehicle. |
|
 LAV-600 (3 days rental) |
13,630
|
LAV-600 test version for 3 days. | Vehicle Prerequisites: Gather more progress on this vehicle's line predecessor (Leopard 1A5) |
Akatsiya (3 days rental) |
13,630
|
Akatsiya test version for 3 days. | Vehicle Prerequisites: Gather more progress on this vehicle's line predecessor (2S1 Gvozdika) |
 Zweilhander |
7,575
|
Unlocks Zweilhander decal. | |
 3,450 Reputation |
8,455
|
Provides an injection of 3,450 Reputation. | |
3,450 Reputation |
8,455
|
Provides an injection of 3,450 Reputation. | |
3,450 Reputation |
8,455
|
Provides an injection of 3,450 Reputation. |