Tank origin

After the Six Day War, Israel determined that it would fare better by developing its own main battle tank instead of relying on tanks purchased from other nations. The indigenous Merkava MBT was announced to the public in 1977. Although the tank’s power-to-weight ratio was considered poor, its distinct design, with its sloped frontal armor and placement of the AVDS-1790-6A engine in the front of the tank, offered superior crew protection. The Mk. 1 also featured an M68 105mm gun.