Merkava Mk.4B

This page is about the Israeli medium tank Merkava Mk.4B. For other versions, see Merkava (Family).

Merkava Mk.4B

Merkava Mk.4B

Description

The Merkava Siman 4 Baz is a rank Israeli medium tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "Wind of Change".

General info

Survivability and armour

The Merkava 's armour is VERY strongly protected against HEAT with up to 800-1200mm of protection on the turret front, and the UFP having enough protection with its NERA and engine + transmission to stop a Kornet in its tracks.

However, KE protection may be somewhat lacking with average KE protection on the turret front averaging about 450-550mm of KE protection on the turret front and about 350-450mm of protection on the UFP (engine and transmission protection included) which for top tier is not quite adequate.

The Merkava also features a unique armour layout being the only tank aside from the Strv 122B PLSS to fit NERA not only on front and side of the turret, but also the front and side of the hull too. it is also the only tank to fit NERA on its roof which historically was to defend from roof fired RPG's.

In all the Merkava's armour is somewhat lacking in some areas but can more then compensate in others.

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	50 mm (74°) Upper plate 50 mm (39-58°) Lower glacis	50 mm Top 50 mm Bottom	30 mm (1-45°)	30 mm
Turret	40-230 mm (9-62°) Turret front 197 mm (1°) Gun mantlet	38 mm (17°)	20 mm (1°)	25-45 mm
Cupola	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Notes:

Composite armour	Frontal effective protection	Sides
Hull	Upper Kinetic: 300-450 mm Chemical: 1050-1300 mm (engine block included) Lower Kinetic: 180-330 mm Chemical: 250-400 mm (engine block included) Side Kinetic: 50-228 mm Chemical: 320-475 mm
Turret	Turret Cheeks Kinetic: 380-620 mm Chemical: 920-1100 mm Turret Sides Kinetic: 240-410 mm Chemical: 600-1120 mm

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				2,325			__.__
Realistic				1,327			__.__

The mobility of the Merkava is about average for an MBT, easily keeping pass with other MBT's thanks to its improved engine over the Merkava Mk.3.

The Merkava may feel quite snappy at low speeds due to its high torque and good gear ratios, it also has neutral steering which makes urban combat much easier.

Armaments

Main armament

120 mm IMI MG251					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	46	-7°/+20°	±180°	Two-plane	32.4	44.8	54.4	60.2	64.0	8.71	7.70	7.10	6.70
Realistic					20.2	23.8	28.9	32.0	34.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M325	HEATFS	480	480	480	480	480	480
M339	HE-TF	65	65	60	58	53	50
M322	APFSDS	589	586	577	565	553	541
M338	APFSDS	611	608	597	585	573	560

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M325	HEATFS	1,078	15.81	0.05	0.1	2.36	65°	72°	77°
M339	HE-TF	900	17	1.5	3	3.66	79°	80°	81°
M322	APFSDS	1,705	5.6	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
M338	APFSDS	1,680	5.06	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Merkava Mk.4B

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
46	30 (+16)	13 (+33)	11 (+35)	1 (+45)	No

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	1,000 (200)	577	N/A	N/A

7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	1,800 (200)	600	-5°/+50°	-60°/+120°
Coaxial	6,000 (200)	600	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The Merkava plays somewhat similarly to previous Merkava's requiring a more laid back approach in order to well. it is also not advisable to brawl in the Merkava as its sub par armour at close range may let you down, and you will be easily outclassed by soviet MBT's.

The Merkava however plays amazingly as a sniper mainly thanks to its amazing optics and somewhat decent armour at long range,

Pros and cons

Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".

Pros:

• Has access to 2nd generation thermals for both the gunner and commander
• Excellent mobility, even in reverse
• Great and competitive ammo selection

Cons:

• Very vulnerable to most attacks due to a noticeable lack of composite armour or ERA
• Slower reload speed than its NATO counterparts

History

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Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Merkava Mk.4B from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• Merkava (Family)
  • Merkava Mk.4M

External links

• [Devblog] Merkava Mk.4B & Mk.4M: The chariots of modern warfare