Some older tanks, especially those of lesser age, have been moved to reserve units, like the 10th brigade. All three regular armoured brigades of the Israeli army, the 401st, 188th, and 7th brigades, have transitioned to using modern Merkava Mk 4 tanks (with Trophy active protection systems against anti-tank missiles and networked management and information exchange systems) in recent years. It appears that the Merkava Mk 2 tanks, which have been in service since the 1980s, and the Merkava Mk 3 tanks, introduced in the 1990s and primarily utilised by the 188th Armoured Brigade, will be purchased under two different contracts. This money will go into the state treasury and most likely go straight to the Israeli military. The deal’s total cost is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars. Some of the tanks’ technical parts, including the engine, are manufactured in the United States therefore, the Israeli Ministry of Defence told the Israeli news outlet Ynet that they need approval from the United States Department of Defence in Washington before the deal can go through. Merkava tanks will be delivered to a European country for the first time.ĭue to the sensitivity of the process, the Israeli Ministry of Defence does not disclose the names of the two countries that have agreed to purchase over 200 retired Israeli tanks available, but the contracts are on the verge of finalisation and are expected to be finalised within three months. The US Department of Defence is anticipated to shortly approve Israel’s sale of hundreds of decommissioned Merkava Mk 2 (equipped with a 105 mm gun) and Mk 3 tanks to two foreign countries, one of which is in Europe. It is anticipated that the Israeli-made Merkava tanks will soon be sold to two foreign armies, reaching Europe and continuing to serve despite their advanced age.
After 40 years of service with the Israel Defence Forces, one of Israel’s defining symbols is being exported to Europe for the first time.
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