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Merkava 3 vs T-72

Merkava 3 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇮🇱 Merkava 3
T-72 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇷🇺 T-72
Change comparison vs
Specifications
Merkava 3 T-72
Origin country 🇮🇱 Israel 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank Medium Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer Israeli Military Industries Malyshev HMB Plant
Number produced 1,000 units 25,000 units
Estimated unit price $3.5 million $2 million
Combat weight 63.0 tons 44.5 tons
Maximum speed 55 km/h 60 km/h
Operational range 500 km 500 km
Length 8.80 m 9.73 m
Width 3.70 m 3.59 m
Height 2.80 m 2.23 m
Crew 4 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
Merkava 3 T-72
Main armament 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun
Secondary weapon 1 60mm mortar 7.62 mm PKT coax. machine gun
Engine Continental AVDS 1790 V-12 Diesel Engine with 1200 hp V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M) 1,130 hp (840 kW)

Overview

The Merkava 3 and the T-72 are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by Israeli Military Industries and Malyshev HMB Plant respectively.

The Merkava 3 weighs 63.0 tons vs 44.5 tons for the T-72. Top speed is 55 km/h for the Merkava 3 vs 60 km/h for the T-72. Operational range is 500 km for the Merkava 3 vs 500 km for the T-72. The Merkava 3 is armed with a 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun, while the T-72 carries a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun.

The Merkava 3 has been produced in 1,000 units vs 25,000 for the T-72. Unit cost is $3.5M for the Merkava 3 vs $2M for the T-72. The T-72 entered service 16 years before the Merkava 3 (1973 vs 1989).

Related Comparisons
T-72 vs T-90 T-72 vs M1 Abrams Merkava 3 vs M1 Abrams Merkava 3 vs M1A1 Abrams Merkava 3 vs M60A3 TTS Patton Merkava 3 vs M48A5 Patton

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The T-72 is faster with a maximum road speed of 60 km/h compared to the Merkava 3's 55 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The T-72 has a longer operational range at 500 km compared to the Merkava 3's 500 km.
Which is heavier, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The Merkava 3 is heavier at 63.0 tons combat weight compared to the T-72's 44.5 tons.
Which is larger, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The T-72 is longer at 9.73 meters compared to the Merkava 3's 8.80 meters.
How many crew members do the Merkava 3 and T-72 require?
The Merkava 3 requires a larger crew of 4 compared to the T-72's 3 (commander, gunner, driver) crew members.
Which is more expensive, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The Merkava 3 is more expensive at approximately $3.5 million per unit compared to the T-72 at $2.0 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Merkava 3 or T-72?
The T-72 has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 1,000 units of the Merkava 3.
What are the main armaments of the Merkava 3 and T-72?
The Merkava 3 is armed with 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun while the T-72 carries 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun as its main armament.