Merkava Mk4 3D model

The Merkava (Hebrew: מרכבה, [mɛʁkaˈva] (listen), chariot) is a series of main battle tanks used by the Israel Defense Forces and the backbone of the IDF's armored corps. The tank began development in 1970,[6] and its first generation, the Merkava mark I, entered official service in 1979.[7] Four main variants have been deployed. As of 2023, the Merkava mark IV is the latest version. The Merkava was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. The name Merkava was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.

The tank was developed in the Merkava and Armored Combat Vehicles Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and most of its parts are manufactured in Israel. The Merkava was designed to provide maximum protection for its crew, and therefore its front armor was fortified and the engine placed in the front part of the tank, unlike most other tanks.