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Challenger 2 vs Merkava

Challenger 2 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇬🇧 Challenger 2
Merkava main battle tank side profile drawing
🇮🇱 Merkava
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Specifications
Challenger 2 Merkava
Origin country 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇮🇱 Israel
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank Heavy Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Vickers Defense Systems Israeli Military Industries
Number produced 447 units 2,270 units
Estimated unit price $5.3 million $3 million
Combat weight 75.0 tons 61.0 tons
Maximum speed 59 km/h 55 km/h
Operational range 550 km 500 km
Length 13.50 m 7.60 m
Width 4.20 m 3.70 m
Height 2.49 m 2.70 m
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader–operator, driver) 4
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
Challenger 2 Merkava
Main armament L30A1 120 mm rifled gun 1 M68 105mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun
Secondary weapon 7.62 mm coaxial L94A1 chain gun 1 60mm mortar
Engine Perkins CV-12 Condor 12-Cylinder Diesel Engine with 1200 hp Continental AVDS 1790-9AR V-12 Diesel Engine with 900 hp

Overview

The Challenger 2 and the Merkava are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Vickers Defense Systems and Israeli Military Industries respectively.

The Challenger 2 weighs 75.0 tons vs 61.0 tons for the Merkava. Top speed is 59 km/h for the Challenger 2 vs 55 km/h for the Merkava. Operational range is 550 km for the Challenger 2 vs 500 km for the Merkava. The Challenger 2 is armed with a L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, while the Merkava carries a 1 M68 105mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun.

The Challenger 2 has been produced in 447 units vs 2,270 for the Merkava. Unit cost is $5.32M for the Challenger 2 vs $3M for the Merkava. The Merkava entered service 19 years before the Challenger 2 (1979 vs 1998).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Challenger 2 is faster with a maximum road speed of 59 km/h compared to the Merkava's 55 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Challenger 2 has a longer operational range at 550 km compared to the Merkava's 500 km.
Which is heavier, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Challenger 2 is heavier at 75.0 tons combat weight compared to the Merkava's 61.0 tons.
Which is larger, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Challenger 2 is longer at 13.50 meters compared to the Merkava's 7.60 meters.
How many crew members do the Challenger 2 and Merkava require?
The Challenger 2 requires a larger crew of 4 (commander, gunner, loader–operator, driver) compared to the Merkava's 4 crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Challenger 2 is more expensive at approximately $5.3 million per unit compared to the Merkava at $3.0 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Challenger 2 or Merkava?
The Merkava has been produced in greater numbers with 2,270 units compared to 447 units of the Challenger 2.
What are the main armaments of the Challenger 2 and Merkava?
The Challenger 2 is armed with L30A1 120 mm rifled gun while the Merkava carries 1 M68 105mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun as its main armament.