The M339 is an Israeli 120 mm HE-MP-T tank cartridge, also known as Kalanit or Hatzav, developed by Israel Military Industries for urban direct fire from Merkava and other NATO-standard smoothbore tank guns. Elbit Systems describes the round as a programmable, multi-purpose cartridge for bunkers, light armored vehicles, infantry, and urban structures, while Gaza and Lebanon investigations have identified M339-family remnants in Israeli tank-fire incidents.
2023 Israel-Hamas War: OSMP and Washington Post reporting identified M339 or M339-family fragments from Israeli tank fire in Gaza, including the March 19, 2025 UN guesthouse strike in Deir al-Balah and later Nasser Hospital strike remnants.
Role details2023 Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Amnesty International identified the first strike on journalists near Alma al-Chaab on October 13, 2023 as a 120 mm tank round, most likely an M339 projectile, fired from an Israeli position during Lebanon-Israel border hostilities.
Elbit describes the M339 as compatible with NATO-standard 120 mm smoothbore guns, while the 2011 IsraeliMoD item described the round as designed for Merkava Mk 3 and Mk 4 tanks and other 120 mm smoothbore MBTs.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Merkava 3 tank platform | The 2011 IsraeliMoD item says the M339 was designed for the Merkava Mk 3, and Elbit later lists compatibility with guns used on Merkava III tanks. Sources: DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introduction, Elbit Systems M339 overview |
 | Merkava 4 tank platform | The 2011 IsraeliMoD item says the M339 was designed for the Merkava Mk 4, and Elbit later lists compatibility with guns used on Merkava IV tanks. Sources: DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introduction, Elbit Systems M339 overview |
 | NATO 120 mm smoothbore tank | Elbit says the M339 is compatible with NATO-standard smoothbore guns such as those used on Leopard 2 tanks. Sources: Elbit Systems M339 overview |
 | NATO 120 mm smoothbore tank | Elbit says the M339 is compatible with NATO-standard smoothbore guns such as those used on Abrams M1A1/A2 tanks. Sources: Elbit Systems M339 overview |
Elbit describes the M339 as a programmable multi-purpose cartridge whose electronic fuze lets a tank crew select the effect after the round is loaded.
| Mode | Target set | Documented effect |
|---|---|---|
| Point detonation | Light vehicles, barriers, immediate-impact targets | Detonates on impact for direct obstacle or lightly armored target engagement. |
| Point detonation delay | Bunkers, fortified buildings, armored personnel carriers | Penetrates a structure or fortification before detonation. |
| Air burst | Infantry, anti-tank teams, covered troops in the open | Detonates above the ground and disperses more than 6,500 steel and tungsten fragments. |
DefenceTalk, carrying an IsraeliMoD item, reported that IDF Armored Corps units near Gaza had received IMI's new HE-MP M339 Kalanit round.
Sources: DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introduction
Elbit Systems says it manufactures the ammunition portfolio after its 2018 acquisition of Israel Military Industries.
Sources: Elbit Systems M339 overview
Amnesty International identified the first strike on journalists near Alma al-Chaab as a 120 mm tank round, most likely an M339 projectile, fired from an Israeli position.
Sources: Amnesty Lebanon journalist strike investigation
OSMP 1214 recorded a 120 mm tank-gun projectile fragment from Deir al-Balah and identified the tentative model as M339 after the UN guesthouse strike.
Sources: OSMP 1214, Washington Post UN guesthouse strike investigation
OSMP 1650 documented Israeli 120 mm tank-gun projectile remnants at Nasser Hospital and assessed the contextual evidence as most likely M339 high-explosive multi-purpose projectiles.
Sources: OSMP 1650
