For years the Merkava has been regarded as the world's most advanced and safest tank.
But its static defensive systems proved vulnerable to advanced Russian-made anti-tank missiles employed by Hezbollah. During the war, 47 Merkava's were destroyed or damaged by anti-tank missiles, and another two were put out of service by roadside bombs. Thirty-three Israeli soldiers lost their lives in Merkavas.
With the modern battlefield shifting from classic confrontations between two well-defined armies to urban warfare against concealed guerilla forces, defense officials have for years questioned the need for an expensive main battle tank program.
The Merkava, it has been noted, was designed for traditional tank-on-tank battles, and is less effective against a highly mobile enemy that operates on foot out of civilian population centers.
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Merkava tank destroyed by Hizballah
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Kornet-E is a 3rd generation anti-armour missile system.




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