Tens of millions of dollars contract: Israel to sell two European countries more than 200 Merkava Mk2 and Merkava Mk3 tanks

The Israeli Ministry of Defence is about to sell its Merkava tanks for the first time ever.

Here's What We Know

The information was shared by Ynet, citing its sources in the ministry. The contract in question is worth tens of millions of dollars. It will include over 200 Merkava tanks in Mk2 and Mk3 modifications. According to the source, the tanks are being bought by two European countries. For security reasons, they are not being named.

The deal is now at the final stage: Israel only has to get US approval. The fact is that the tanks use American technology. For example, AVDS-1790-5A engine and CD-850-6B transmission.

Incidentally, as of 2022, Israel has about 700 Merkava Mk3 tanks and about 600 Merkava Mk.2. The older Merkava modification was decommissioned in 2016.

Flashback

The Merkava is an Israeli main battle tank. It started being produced in the 1970s. Since then, the Merkava has received four modifications: Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4. The last one was put into service in 2004. The tank took part in the First and Second Lebanon Wars.

Source: Ynet