The turret is electrically-powered and "dry": no active rounds are stored in it. Because rear armor is thinner, chains with iron balls are attached to detonate projectiles before they hit the main armored hull. This modular system is designed to allow damaged tanks to be rapidly repaired and returned to the field.
Removable modular armor, from the Merkava Mark IIID, is used on all sides, including the top and a V-shaped belly armor pack for the underside. The Mark IV is the most recent variant of the Merkava tank, which has been in development since 1999 and production since 2004.
The rear entrance's clamshell-style doors provide overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel. This allows the tank to be used as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command and control station, and an infantry fighting vehicle. It also creates more space in the rear of the tank that allows increased storage capacity and a rear entrance to the main crew compartment allowing easy access under enemy fire. With the engine in front, this layout is intended to grant additional protection against a frontal attack, so as to absorb some of the force of incoming shells, especially for the personnel in the main hull, such as the driver. Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located closer to the rear than in most main battle tanks. The name "Merkava" was derived from the IDF's initial development program name.Design criteria include rapid repair of battle damage, survivability, cost-effectiveness and off-road performance. It was first used extensively in the 1982 Lebanon War. Four main variants of the tank have been deployed. The tank began development in 1970, and entered official service in 1979. The Merkava is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. Includes sprues with plastic parts, assembly instructions, P.E. MENG plastic model kit for the construction of an Israeli Main Battle Tank Merkava Mk.4/4LIC w/Nochri-Kal Mine Roller System of modern era, in 1/35 scale.
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