Results of the first combat use of the Israeli Merkava tank

The first combat use of Israeli tank Merkava occurred in Israel's war with Lebanon in 1982. Of the 1200 IDF tanks concentrated on the Lebanese border, about 200 were new Merkavas.

The IDF’s opponents at that time were the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Syrian army, which concentrated their forces in the south of Lebanon and were armed with Soviet T-55, T-62, T-72 (several units) and even T-34-85.

On June 6, 1982, the Israel Liberation Army crossed the border into Lebanon, where fierce fighting ensued. As a result, by the end of the fighting, the IDF lost 7 Merkava tanks irretrievably. Another 34 armored vehicles received various damage.

In total, the IDF irretrievably lost 52 tanks in this confrontation.

In general, taking into account the fact that the first version of the Merkava was used in the war with Lebanon, which, to put it mildly, did not have the best armor, the result (7 irretrievably lost vehicles out of 200) looks very worthy.

At the same time, probably inspired by their success, the Israeli authorities “gave birth” to a myth according to which the Merkava successfully destroyed Soviet T-72s on the battlefield.

In fact, starting with the T-64, Soviet designers installed combined armor on tanks, designed precisely against the cumulative ammunition of the British L7 gun, which was equipped with the Merkava.

Some experts claim that the Israelis then had US-made M111 cumulative ammunition, which could still destroy a Soviet tank. However, all T-72s in this confrontation were hit by TOW ATGMs. Moreover, according to evidence, the Merkava and T-72 never met each other on the battlefield in this conflict.

It is worth recalling that the above-mentioned armed confrontation, which began with a terrorist attack by the PLO from Lebanese territory, ended in Israeli victory. At the same time, it was the First Lebanon War that led to the formation of Hezbollah, which today threatens to open a second front against the IDF, which is conducting its operation in Gaza.

Comments

[Nexcom]

Now Aron will come and tell you that there are no exaggerations and Merkavas set fire to non-kosher T72s like a box of matches.

[Ivan F]

Don't pour salt on him , he is already in a sad and depressed state. Let me dream a little!

[dmi.pris1]

Aron was banned. He wrote to me in a personal message, and I see he’s banned. A tank remains a tank, and it’s not a wunlerwaffle

[Pavel57]

Are the described episodes of the T-72 and Merkav duels myths?

The author about the composite armor of the T-72 could have made an inaccuracy: the export T-72s had homogeneous armor.

[MSN]

To clarify, with homogeneous turret armor. The first T-72s have VLDs like the T-64.

[MSN]

The author did not sign up out of shame for his work? Cumulative M 111? M111 made in the USA?

[ln_ln]

The nameless author confuses cumulative and sub-caliber projectiles...

[svp67]

In fact, starting with the T-64, Soviet designers installed combined armor on tanks, designed precisely against the cumulative ammunition of the British L7 gun, which was equipped with the Merkava.

In fact, the first T-72s were exported with HOMOGENEOUS frontal armor...

[Dedok]

Quote from: dmi.pris1

Aron was banned.He wrote to me in a personal message, I see he’s banned. A tank remains a tank, and it’s not a wunlerwaffle

Military Review's position is like that ostrich hiding its head in the sand...
no matter what Aron says here, this is his vision of events now...(tomorrow it may change)
We need his position, because without Aron, Alexey and others (I don’t know their names) objectivity cannot be achieved

[matsur]

Quote: Dedok

Quote from: dmi.pris1

Aron was banned.He wrote to me in a personal message, I see he’s banned. A tank remains a tank, and it’s not a wunlerwaffle

Military Review's position is like that ostrich hiding its head in the sand...
no matter what Aron says here, this is his vision of events now...(tomorrow it may change)
We need his position, because without Aron, Alexey and others (I don’t know their names) objectivity cannot be achieved

+1
It seems that he wrote to the point, without insults. Let there be a point of view, but it is needed.
Unban Aron.

[pettabyte]

Why is this pos needed?
Another thing is that without notifications that someone responded to a comment, now everyone writes here and leaves. Because no one will look through what they have already read in search of answers.
Someone would return this, and then you can think about that.