Editing Merkava (section)

===Merkava Mark I===
[[File:IDF Merkava Tanks in the Golan Heights, 1987 (990040418500205171).jpg|right|thumb|IDF Merkava I in the Golan Heights, 1987]]
The Mark 1, operational since 1979, is the original design created as a result of Israel Tal's decision, and was fabricated and designed for [[mass production]]. The Mark 1 weighed 63 tonnes and had a {{convert |908|hp}} diesel engine, with a power-to-weight ratio of 14&nbsp;hp/Tonne. It was armed with the 105 millimeter M64 L71A main gun (a licensed copy of the American [[M68 (tank gun)|M68]]), two [[7.62 mm caliber|7.62 mm machine guns]] for anti-infantry defense,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/merkava/MerkavaMk1.html |title=Merkava Mk 1 |access-date=2008-07-04 | work = Israeli Weapons |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080526161440/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/vehicles/tanks/merkava/MerkavaMk1.html |archive-date=May 26, 2008}}</ref> and a 60&nbsp;mm [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] mounted externally, with the mortar operator not completely protected by the tank's hull.

The general design borrows the tracks and road wheels from the British [[Centurion tank]], which had seen extensive use during the Yom Kippur war.

The Merkava was first used in combat during the [[1982 Lebanon War]], where Israel deployed 180 units. Although they were a success, the [[M113 APC]]s that accompanied them were found to have several defects and were withdrawn. Merkavas were converted into makeshift APCs or armored ambulances by taking out the palleted ammunition racks in storage. Ten soldiers or walking wounded could enter and exit through the rear door.

After the war, many adjustments and additions were noted and designed, including the need for the 60&nbsp;mm mortar to be installed within the hull and engineered for remote firing—a valuable feature that the Israelis had initially encountered on their [[Centurion tank|Centurion Mk3s]] with their [[British 2 inch mortar|2" Mk.III mortar]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dunstan |first1= Simon |last2=Sarson |first2=Peter |year=2003 |title=Centurion Universal Tank 1943–2003 |page=13 |publisher=Osprey |isbn= 978-1-84176-387-3}}</ref> A [[shot trap]] was found beneath the rear of the turret [[wikt:bustle|bustle]], where a well-placed shot could jam the turret completely.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} The installation of chain netting to disperse and destroy [[rocket propelled grenade]]s and [[shoulder-launched missile weapon|anti-tank rockets]] before impacting the primary armor increased survivability.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
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