Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407425
but this is not the case for Mk 3 and Mk 2Bs. This makes the claims made by Israeli probable. They suggested that all effective piercings of the Mk 4 Merkava armor have been caused by Kornet ATGMs and Metis-M ATGMs, launched from the flanks. Some cases are known, when the E-LAWS system has detected the threat, and the MBT managed to turn the front of the turret towards the incoming missile. The conflict in Lebanon has been relevant for several reasons. First, the presence of modern anti-tank assets in the region has become a fact. These means were perfectly capable of penetrating the front armor of the Merkava Mk 2B and Mk 3BAZ, as well as the side armor of the Merkava Mk 4 MBTs. Secondly, it turned out that Hezbollah's training and tactics have been effective, even though the front armor of the Merkavas was offering high protection levels. Contrary to the basic tactical assumptions, the MBTs were often forced to tackle expansive, fortified Hezbollah's lines, with many IEDs, and mobile tankbuster squads supported by machine guns, snipers, and mortars. Furthermore, if terrain allowed, the enemy was trying to attack the MBTs with mass quantities of ATGMs launched from the side. It turned out that the infantry, due to the unacceptable level of losses, has been unable to accompany the MBTs. The air support cannot replace the support offered by the infantry. Thus, the information advantage and the air support have turned out to be insufficient, or even fictitious. The MBTs were, quite often, left on their own, using solely support provided by the artillery assets. VEHICLES