Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1365706
Author:... Mk 3 and Mk 3 BAZ in Combat Combat employment of Mk 3 and Mk 3 BAZ Merkavas took place in asymmetric battlefield conditions. Numerous incidents and battles be- tween 1990 and 2006 have altogether shown that the protection levels were far from optimal. They also did not align with the asymmetric threats. From many incidents that have taken place, photos of Merkava Mk 3 MBTs (two examples) that were attacked with HE projectiles from the right side, near the commander's station, are known. In one case the armor was penetrated, while the blast entered the inside of the turret. The attack spot was not chosen by accident. The vertical sides of the turret made it easy to carry out penetration at a perpendicular angle - this made the armor no-challenge even for the older ATGMs. Hamas and Hezbollah have been using this to their advantage. 2002 turned out to be a black year for Merkavas. The Palestinian rebels have launched a hunt against them, using monstrous IEDs weighing more than 100 kilograms sometimes. Cahal has lost 3 Mk 3 MBTs, including one Mk 3D. Three out of four crew members were killed in two out of three MBTs. In the case of the other MBT, only the driver was KIA. One should stress that no MBT would be able to withstand such a large explosion. The fights in Lebanon, back in 2006, have also shown that the latest Mk 3 does not have armor that guarantees safety. The bat- tle involved the Mk 3 BAZ MBTs belonging to 188th, 434th, and 673th brigades. The losses began with an MBT hit by ATGM on Aug. 3rd. As a result, three out of four crew members were killed. On August 10th, another soldier was killed in an MBT hit by ATGM. Yet another life was lost, in circumstances of similar nature, on Aug. 12th. This is not an exhaustive record of losses. On the same day, one MBT was lost with its crew, to an IED. More Merkavas suffered from damage. Photos have been circulated depicting the Israeli MBT hit by RPG. The projectile hit the lower front plate of the hull. Other photos show the vehicle the crew of which may consider themselves to be lucky, as the HE grenade hit the left side of the hull, above the track, and above the penultimate segment of the apron. Directly behind the composite armor and the batteries, ammunition storage space can be found here. The lack of heavy losses may be attributed to the unique design of the Merkava. However, the fights in 2006 have shown the aging of the Mk 3 protec- tion design. Mk 2 BATASH & Mk 3 Dor Dalet In the 1990s, the Israeli armored forces had to withstand many new challenges. First, the geopolitical neighbors started to equip their armies with modern MBTs. Second, procurement of modern ATGMs and RPG systems by the Arab nations, Syria and Iran included, has also become a major threat. This meant that, sooner or later, these weapons would be handled by Hamas and Hezbollah. Furthermore, it became clear that asymmetric warfare is going to be the scenario that Merkavas would be facing - with battles being fought in mountainous and urbanized areas, involving many potential ambushes. All of the aforesaid factors required Israel to gradually upgrade the armor of its VEHICLES