Tanks

M325 120 mm tank projectile

Also known as
  • CL-3105

The M325 is Elbit Systems' Israeli 120 mm HEAT-MP-T tank cartridge for NATO 120 mm smoothbore guns. Elbit catalogs it for Merkava 3 and 4 and other L44/L55-equipped tanks, while conflict documentation has identified M325 projectiles in Gaza-war and southern Lebanon contexts.

M325 120 mm tank projectile, 120 mm HEAT-MP-T tank cartridge, Tanks
Image source: Wikimedia IMI 120 mm shells photo

Role in Conflicts

2023 Israel-Hamas War
Fire Support
Side
Israel

2023 Israel-Hamas War: Alestiklal reported Israeli armored corps deployed M325 tank shells in Gaza, while OSMP separately catalogued an M325 projectile in its Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 munition collection.

Role details
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
120 mm HEAT-MP-T tank cartridge
Service note
At least 2011-present
Designer
Israel Military Industries (IMI)
Designed
Not publicly documented
Unit cost
Not publicly documented
Produced
At least 2011-present

Specifications

Caliber
120 mm
Type
HEAT-MP-T
NSN
1315-15-150-0167
Muzzle velocity
1,078 m/s (L44)
Cartridge weight
Approx. 25 kg
Cartridge length
984 mm
Explosive fill
1.8 kg Comp B
Accuracy/Dispersion
0.25 x 0.25 mil
Compatibility
NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 smooth-bore guns; approved for Leopard 2, Ariete, K1A1/A2, M60A3, Merkava 3 & 4, and other 120 mm MBTs
Variants

Elbit presents the M326 as the target-practice tracer training cartridge matched to the M325 HEAT-MP-T operational round.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
M326 TP-T training cartridgeTraining cartridge for M325

Elbit describes M326 as the TP-T (HEAT) training cartridge for the M325 HEAT-MP-T operational cartridge, with identical external and internal ballistics and a 4 km training range.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Tank Platforms

Elbit lists the M325 as approved for use with several 120 mm main battle tanks and NATO smoothbore guns.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
Merkava Mk 3 main battle tank, Main battle tank, TanksMerkava Mk 3 main battle tankMerkava 3 tank platform

Elbit lists the M325 as approved for use with Merkava 3 tanks.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, TanksMerkava Mk 4 main battle tankMerkava 4 tank platform

Elbit lists the M325 as approved for use with Merkava 4 tanks.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Broader NATO compatibility

The same Elbit sheet also lists Leopard 2, Ariete, K1A1/A2, M60A3, and other 120 mm MBTs as approved users.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

Operational And Training Rounds

Elbit places the M325 and M326 in the same 120 mm HEAT training and operational set. The M325 is the HEAT-MP-T service cartridge; the M326 is the TP-T (HEAT) round built to match the M325's external and internal ballistics.

DesignationRoleDocumented data
M325Operational HEAT-MP-T cartridge1,078 m/s at L44, approx. 25 kg, 984 mm long, 1.8 kg Comp B, 0.25 x 0.25 mil dispersion, and more than 4 km effective range.
M326TP-T training cartridgeTraining cartridge for M325 with identical external and internal ballistics; 1,078 m/s at L44, approx. 25 kg, 984 mm long, and 4 km training range.

Elbit says both rounds are compatible with NATO 120 mm L44 and L55 guns and approved for Merkava 3 and 4 tanks plus other 120 mm MBTs.

Timeline

M325 120 mm tank projectile Key Events

  1. Forecast International lists CL-3105

    Forecast International's March 2011 tank-gun ammunition report lists CL-3105 (M325) as an IMI 120 mm high-explosive anti-tank round.

    Sources: Forecast International Tank Gun Ammunition (International)

  2. Reported in Gaza-war context

    Alestiklal reported that Israeli armored corps deployed M325 tank shells in Gaza; OSMP separately catalogued an M325 projectile in its Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection.

    Sources: Alestiklal Gaza weapons reporting, OSMP M325 Israel entry

  3. Documented in southern Lebanon

    OSMP catalogued an unfunctioned delivered M325 HEAT-MP-T tank gun projectile in Houla, Lebanon during the Israel-Hezbollah border conflict.

    Sources: OSMP M325 Lebanon entry

Media

M325 120 mm tank projectile Images

M325 120 mm tank projectile, 120 mm HEAT-MP-T tank cartridge, Tanks - view 1
Source: Wikimedia IMI120shells cropped file
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Sources

Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition PortfolioPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports M325 manufacturer/background context, HEAT-MP-T classification, approved users, published specifications, and the paired M326 training cartridge. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Forecast International Tank Gun Ammunition (International)Publisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports the CL-3105 (M325) designation and the March 2011 listing of M325 in IMI's 120 mm tank gun ammunition line. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Alestiklal Gaza weapons reportingPublisher: Alestiklal | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: the Israeli armored corps deployed M325 tank shells in Gaza, and the article describes the M325 as an Israeli high-explosive multi-purpose projectile. | Accessed: 2026-07-01OSMP M325 Israel entryPublisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: OSMP catalogues a whole M325 HEAT-MP-T tank gun projectile in its Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection, with a reported location in Israel dated October 16, 2023. | Accessed: 2026-07-01OSMP M325 Lebanon entryPublisher: Open Source Munitions Portal | Note: 2023 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: OSMP catalogues an unfunctioned delivered M325 HEAT-MP-T tank gun projectile in Houla, Lebanon, dated November 8, 2023. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia IMI 120 mm shells photoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and license page for the photograph that identifies the M325 among the depicted Israeli 120 mm shells; licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia IMI120shells cropped filePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and license page for the cropped derivative of the IMI 120 mm shells photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-07-01