Tanks

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank

Also known as
  • Merkava Mark IV
  • Merkava IV
  • Merkava Mk. 4
  • Merkava Mk 4M
  • Merkava Mk 4M Windbreaker
  • Merkava Mk 4 Barak

The Merkava Mk 4 is Israel's fourth-generation front-engine main battle tank, built through the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate around a 120 mm smoothbore gun, modular protection, and later Trophy active protection. Its combat record spans 2006 Lebanon armored maneuver, Trophy-equipped Mk 4M operations in Gaza in 2014, and documented Mk 4 Barak use during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, Tanks
Image source: Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0018

Role in Conflicts

2006 Lebanon War
Side
Israel
Role in conflict
Armored maneuver under anti-tank missile ambush

Combat Studies Institute analysis of Wadi al-Saluki documents 24 Israeli Merkava 4 tanks in the 2006 Lebanon War action and says 11 were hit by anti-tank missiles.

2014 Gaza War
Side
Israel
Role in conflict
Trophy-equipped urban ground maneuver

IDF-released Commons imagery documents a Merkava Mk 4M Windbreaker, the Trophy-equipped Mk 4 configuration, during Operation Protective Edge in the 2014 Gaza War.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Israel
Type
Main battle tank
Service note
2004-present
Designer
Israel Tal and the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate
Designed
1970s Merkava program; Mk 4 entered service in 2004
Produced
2004-present

Specifications

Crew
4
Armament
120 mm smoothbore gun, three 7.62 mm machine guns, one 12.7 mm machine gun, one 60 mm mortar, and 12 smoke dischargers
Weight
About 65,000 kg
Mobility
1,500 hp diesel engine; about 64 km/h road speed and 500 km range
Protection
Modular composite armor, front-engine layout, and Trophy active protection on Mk 4M/Barak configurations
Digital systems
Barak upgrade adds a smart mission computer, updated sensors, and VR-linked training
Upgrade Path And Role

The Mk 4 record covers a tank family rather than a single frozen configuration. The visible differences that matter for readers are the protection upgrade from baseline Mk 4 to Mk 4M and the crew-systems upgrade represented by Barak.

ConfigurationReader-visible distinctionSupported context
Mk 4Fourth-generation Merkava MBT120 mm smoothbore gun, four-person crew, modular armor, and 1,500 hp diesel mobility.
Mk 4M WindbreakerTrophy-equipped Mk 4Rafael places Trophy in combat use on Merkava 3 and 4 tanks; Commons imagery documents a Mk 4M during Operation Protective Edge.
Mk 4 BarakDigital and sensor upgradeIDF material describes a smart mission computer, updated sensors, AI-assisted target handling, and VR-linked crew training.

Sources: Merkava 4; TROPHYTM APS - Rafael; Meet the Merkava Mk. 4 Barak; Merkava4m-Windbreaker-0036a.jpg.

Onboard Protection System

The Mk 4M and Barak configurations connect the tank family to Trophy as an integrated hard-kill active protection system rather than a separate external vehicle.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
Trophy active-protection system, Hard-kill active protection system, Support EquipmentTrophy active-protection systemHard-kill active protection system

Rafael says Trophy was already in combat use on Merkava 3 and 4 tanks, and its product material describes the system as defeating anti-tank missiles, RPGs, HEAT tank rounds, and recoilless-rifle threats.

Sources: TROPHYTM APS - Rafael

Ammunition Fired

The Merkava Mk 4 uses a 120 mm smoothbore gun, and current cataloged Israeli tank cartridges include both multi-purpose and kinetic-energy rounds documented for Merkava 4 compatibility.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
M339 120 mm multipurpose tank projectile, 120 mm HE-MP-T tank cartridge, MunitionsM339 120 mm multipurpose tank projectile120 mm HE-MP-T cartridge

IsraeliMoD reporting carried by DefenceTalk said the M339/Kalanit round was designed for Merkava Mk 3 and Mk 4 tanks, while Elbit describes M339 as a programmable multi-purpose tank cartridge.

Sources: DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introduction, Elbit Systems M339 overview

M325 120 mm tank projectile, 120 mm HEAT-MP-T tank cartridge, TanksM325 120 mm tank projectile120 mm HEAT-MP-T cartridge

Elbit's tank-ammunition portfolio lists the M325 as approved for Merkava 4 tanks and NATO 120 mm L44/L55 smoothbore guns.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio

M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile, 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge, MunitionsM322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile120 mm APFSDS-T cartridge

Elbit lists M322 approval for Merkava 4 tanks and places the M322/M338 family in its NATO-standard 120 mm smoothbore ammunition line.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio, Elbit Tank Ammunition Series

Relationship limit

These relationships document compatibility and firing-platform context; each ammunition page keeps its own conflict-use claims limited to sources that identify the round in a specific conflict.

Sources: Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition Portfolio, DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introduction

Timeline

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank Key Events

  1. Mk 4 enters service

    Army Recognition lists 2004 as the Merkava Mk 4's service-entry year, marking the fourth generation of Israel's Merkava tank family.

    Sources: Merkava 4

  2. Wadi al-Saluki ambush

    Combat Studies Institute analysis says 24 Merkava 4 tanks were involved at Wadi al-Saluki during the 2006 Lebanon War and that 11 were hit by anti-tank missiles.

    Sources: We Were Caught Unprepared

  3. Mk 4M documented in Operation Protective Edge

    IDF-released Commons imagery documents a Merkava Mk 4M Windbreaker during the 2014 Gaza War, showing the Trophy-equipped configuration in that campaign.

    Sources: Merkava4m-Windbreaker-0036a.jpg

  4. Barak upgrade enters IDF service

    The IDF described the Merkava Mk 4 Barak as the armored corps' newest tank, adding a smart mission computer, advanced sensors, and VR-linked training.

    Sources: Meet the Merkava Mk. 4 Barak

  5. Armored-vehicle production expansion approved

    Israel's Ministry of Defense approved a wartime production-expansion plan that explicitly included Merkava Mk 4 Barak tanks.

    Sources: IDF armored vehicle acceleration plan

Media

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank Videos

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank Images

Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, Tanks - view 1
Source: Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0019
Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, Tanks - view 2
Source: Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0001
Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank, Main battle tank, Tanks - view 3
Source: Merkava4m-Windbreaker-0036a.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
M339 120 mm multipurpose tank projectile, 120 mm HE-MP-T tank cartridge, MunitionsMunitionsM339 120 mm multipurpose tank projectile120 mm HE-MP-T tank cartridgeThe 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.
M322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile, 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridge, MunitionsMunitionsM322 or M338 120 mm APFSDS-T tank projectile120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridgeThe M322 and M338 are Israeli 120 mm APFSDS-T tank-gun cartridges in Elbit Systems' NATO-standard smoothbore ammunition line. Elbit separates M322 as a second-generation NC-NG-propellant round and M338 as a third-generation LOVA-propellant round, both using tungsten-alloy penetrators for L44/L55 120 mm guns; OSMP identified one Israeli APFSDS-T round in the Israel and Gaza 2023-2026 collection as either M322 or M338.

Related News

Sources

Meet the Merkava Mk. 4 BarakPublisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports the Barak variant's smart mission computer, AI-assisted targeting, updated sensors, VR training, and modernized battlefield role. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava and Armored Vehicles DirectoratePublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports manufacturer background, the Merkava program's design and production role, and the tank's place in Israel's armored force structure. | Accessed: 2026-06-29IDF armored vehicle acceleration planPublisher: Israel Ministry of Defense | Note: Supports the 2025 wartime production expansion that explicitly includes Merkava Mk. 4 Barak tanks after the Swords of Iron War and the broader armored-vehicle acceleration program. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava 4Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports the Mk 4's crew, armament, weight, speed, range, protection layout, and general technical data. | Accessed: 2026-06-29We Were Caught UnpreparedPublisher: Combat Studies Institute Press | Note: 2006 Lebanon War: documents Israeli Merkava 4 tanks at Wadi al-Saluki, including 24 tanks involved and 11 hit by anti-tank missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-29TROPHYTM APS - RafaelPublisher: Rafael | Note: Supports Trophy active-protection integration and platform context, including combat use on Merkava 3 and 4 tanks, serial production, threat coverage, and operational history. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Elbit Systems Land Tank Ammunition PortfolioPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports compatible 120 mm tank-ammunition relationships, including Merkava 4 approval for M325 and M322-family ammunition and NATO smoothbore-gun context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DefenceTalk Israeli Army M339 introductionPublisher: DefenceTalk | Note: Supports 2011 IsraeliMoD background for the M339/Kalanit name, IMI design role, IDF Armored Corps fielding near Gaza, and stated Merkava Mk 3/Mk 4 design intent. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Elbit Systems M339 overviewPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports M339 manufacturer background, 120 mm HE-MP-T classification, Elbit/IMI context, compatibility, fuze modes, and target effects. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Elbit Tank Ammunition SeriesPublisher: Elbit Systems | Note: Supports Elbit Systems Land tank-ammunition background, 120 mm NATO smoothbore certification, L44/L55 approval, and listed gun-platform families for the 120 mm series. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0018Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: 2023 Israel-Hamas War: used by the IDF in the Sword of Iron War; image provenance for the Commons file showing an IDF Merkava Mk 4 Barak tank in Gaza. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0019Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for the Commons file showing an IDF Merkava Mk 4 Barak tank, released from IDF Spokesperson's Unit imagery. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0001Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance for a Commons file showing an IDF Merkava Mk 4 Barak tank, released by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit in collaboration with Wikimedia Israel. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Merkava4m-Windbreaker-0036a.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: 2014 Gaza War: image provenance for a Trophy-equipped Merkava Mk 4M during Operation Protective Edge. | Accessed: 2026-06-29