The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank began development in 1973 and entered active service in 1978. The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War.It is designed 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank for rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located nearer the rear than in most main battle tanks. The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank gives additional protection against a frontal attack. This arrangement also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity, as well as a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank can accomodate various 120mm ammunition types, including 120mm APFSDS-FS (kinetic) rounds, and their training derivatives, HEAT (hollow-charge) types and anti-personnel/anti-material ammunition which have already been used in combat operations with previous Merkava types. The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank will also be able to accommodate the Lahat missile as it becomes operational. The loader can load the gun from a fully automated, fire-proof magazine which accommodates up to 10 ready rounds and deliver up to four types of ammunition types to the loader.The 2012 Merkava MK 4 Tank is equipped with a modern fire control and sighting system which includes computerized ballistic calculations and compensations, a dual axes stabilized gunner sight and a dual axis stabilized commander panoramic sight, both equipped with an advanced FLIR and TV channels for day and night operation.
