"May be recognized as the best in the world": the US press reflects on the merits of the Israeli tank "Merkava"
The main battle tank of the Israeli army "Merkava" in the future could become the fastest attacking a tank... It is armed with a 120mm cannon, an advanced anti-RPG system and can act as a heavy tank while carrying infantry on board. The characteristics are impressive, making you wonder if this vehicle should be given the honorary title of the best tank in the world?
One military report draws attention to the Merkava's missiles to destroy helicopters, as well as innovative capabilities for a tank attack. And these are not unfounded statements: the "Merkava" tank is constantly at war. He has proven himself well in battle. True, the battles in recent years have increasingly been the shelling of adjacent territories.
The tank is regularly improved and modernized. One of the key innovations is the Trophy active protection system. Integrated with it are sensors with high-speed processors, fire control, detection, tracking and destruction of approaching anti-tank missiles and RPG grenades of the enemy.
It is also worth noting the presence of heavier anti-tank missiles in the armament of the Israeli tank, a much greater range than most other modern tanks.
According to National Interest editor Chris Osborne, the Merkava is capable of overtaking or destroying most Soviet-era tanks.
At the same time, the American author notes that in the event of any armed conflict, the "Merkava" can play a very important service for Israel. If the Israeli army needs to solve any problems in the field of defense or offensive, the "Merkava" will help break through the enemy's defenses and move forward as the main carrier of firepower. With the help of its anti-tank weapons, the Merkava will destroy enemy armored vehicles at a great distance. Also, the tank has the ability to effectively work on enemy infantry groups, which is also very important in the context of modern confrontation in the Middle East.
The lethal capabilities of the "Merkava" in terms of fighting enemy infantry units are increased by a 60-mm light mortar, which can fire from the tower, dropping anti-personnel shells at targets outside the line of sight - behind a wall or on another hillside.
Consequently, the tank's crew may not even use the potential of their main weapon, and this circumstance is also very important precisely in the context of the fight against the militants of numerous radical groups, which are currently the main opponents of Israel.
Finally, the tank "Merkava" can act as an excellent "battering ram", after which the infantry units of the IDF will go into the attack. In general, the Israeli tank really, from the point of view of the American author, can be recognized as the best in the world.
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