Merkeva MK3 MBT questions

tankee1981 SG

I have noticed that the Merkeva MK3 have a HMG(should be a 0.5) just on top of the main gun near to the point where the main gun joins to the turrent. It doesn't look like a manually operated co-axial because it is too far away for either the commander or the gunner to reach. I know that a HMG is often used in the past(before the time of the laser range-finder) to find the range by actually shooting at the target because the range of of the 0.5 round is similar to that of the rounds fired from the main gun.
Second question is what is the purpose for having a mortar(i don't know what calibre) in the turret? Thanks Very Happy

gary1910 SG

The 12.7mm gun was actually meant for gunnary training , something like sub-calibre live firing, but when the Israeli were fighting in the urbanised Lebanon, it found the additional HMG quite useful on the upgraded Centurion Sh"ot , thus it is still use in combat.

The 60mm mortar on most Israeli tank were due to bad experience when the tanks encountered ATGM manned by infantry team especially those under cover during the Yom Kippur.

Thus 60mm mortar will save cost on avoiding using the more expensive & limited tank round against infantry , also more effective against infantry especially with it's indirect fire against undercover infantry.

Warren Buffet SG

Is it accurate then to say that the Israelis does not see the need for a 25mm calibre and instead chose the option of 0.5” HMG with the 60mm mortar as a better solution?

tankee1981 SG

So what you are saying is that the Isarelis incoparated the IFV and the MBT in their Merkeva series of MBT? I think you are not too far off as how many operational MBTs in the world is equipped with 60mm motar,HMG and even a small compartment for carrying troops within the tank? This is a very innovative idea! Very Happy

gary1910 SG

No , O.5 HMG was used becos they already have some of them mounted with it for gunnery practice which have the same trajectory as the tank guns.

So when it was fighting in MOUT in Lebanon, it is found to be useful for a tank in such ops.

BTW, it has only one box of ammo and fire remotely inside the turret. One need to come out of the turret to reload.

As for 60mm mortar is for another situation, especially w/o infantry support for tanks.

One thing , Israeli are quite innovative and come out with many ideas based on their war experiences.

IDF's IFV so far only wif 0.5 HMG and 7.62 MG, why they are not using any mid calibre cannons, I have no idea.

Warren Buffet SG

Yes the Israelis are very innovative......but practical at the same time. Most of their 'solutions' are really quite simple to implement.

A dozer blade as additional armor? Useful for clearing road blocks too.

CenturionMBT SG

from what i know though, is that israelis don’t use merkavas as IFVs unless it is an emergency. Firstly, there are no firing ports in the merkava so you can’t shoot out of it. And secondly, for 8 soldiers that you carry, you have to forgo nearly 40 rounds of ammo. It is good for evacuation though.

gary1910 SG

Yes it true, it was not meant to carry any troops in the first place.

IIRC , there was recently a article abt Israeli experiences on the Palestine MOUT ops, thus came out with a specially modified Merkava Mk-3 Baz for MOUT.

And there is a firing hatch and observation window was also opened in the rear access door, where a sniper or sharpshooter can operate, from a protected position.

http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/merkava-lic.htm

From another article which I can't recall where, the rear firing ports are very useful when the tank is moving down a narrow alley and unable to swing the turret to the rear if there is RPG armed insurgent appear from the rear.

CenturionMBT SG

well, no side protection though.