GlobalMilitary.net Open-source military intelligence Updated daily

M1A1 Abrams vs Merkava 4

M1A1 Abrams main battle tank side profile drawing
🇺🇸 M1A1 Abrams
Merkava 4 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇮🇱 Merkava 4
Change comparison vs
Specifications
M1A1 Abrams Merkava 4
Origin country 🇺🇸 United States 🇮🇱 Israel
Category Main Battle Tank Main Battle Tank
Type Heavy Main Battle Tank Heavy Main Battle Tank
Manufacturer General Dynamics Corp. Israeli Military Industries
Number produced 9,200 units 360 units
Estimated unit price $4.3 million $4.5 million
Combat weight 63.0 tons 72.0 tons
Maximum speed 66 km/h 64 km/h
Operational range 465 km 500 km
Length 9.83 m 9.04 m
Width 3.65 m 3.72 m
Height 2.43 m 2.66 m
Crew 4 4
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
M1A1 Abrams Merkava 4
Main armament 1 M256 120mm smoothbore barrel (40 shells) gun 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun
Secondary weapon 1 M-2HB 12.7mm machine gun (1000 rounds) 1 60mm mortar
Engine AGT-1500 Turbine with 1500 hp Continental AVDS 1790 V-12 Diesel Engine with 1500 hp

Overview

The M1A1 Abrams and the Merkava 4 are both Main Battle Tanks, manufactured by General Dynamics Corp. and Israeli Military Industries respectively.

The M1A1 Abrams weighs 63.0 tons vs 72.0 tons for the Merkava 4. Top speed is 66 km/h for the M1A1 Abrams vs 64 km/h for the Merkava 4. Operational range is 465 km for the M1A1 Abrams vs 500 km for the Merkava 4. The M1A1 Abrams is armed with a 1 M256 120mm smoothbore barrel (40 shells) gun, while the Merkava 4 carries a 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun.

The M1A1 Abrams has been produced in 9,200 units vs 360 for the Merkava 4. Unit cost is $4.3M for the M1A1 Abrams vs $4.5M for the Merkava 4. The M1A1 Abrams entered service 18 years before the Merkava 4 (1986 vs 2004).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The M1A1 Abrams is faster with a maximum road speed of 66 km/h compared to the Merkava 4's 64 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The Merkava 4 has a longer operational range at 500 km compared to the M1A1 Abrams's 465 km.
Which is heavier, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The Merkava 4 is heavier at 72.0 tons combat weight compared to the M1A1 Abrams's 63.0 tons.
Which is larger, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The M1A1 Abrams is longer at 9.83 meters compared to the Merkava 4's 9.04 meters.
How many crew members do the M1A1 Abrams and Merkava 4 require?
Both the M1A1 Abrams and Merkava 4 require a crew of 4.
Which is more expensive, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The Merkava 4 is more expensive at approximately $4.5 million per unit compared to the M1A1 Abrams at $4.3 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the M1A1 Abrams or Merkava 4?
The M1A1 Abrams has been produced in greater numbers with 9,200 units compared to 360 units of the Merkava 4.
What are the main armaments of the M1A1 Abrams and Merkava 4?
The M1A1 Abrams is armed with 1 M256 120mm smoothbore barrel (40 shells) gun while the Merkava 4 carries 1 IMI 120mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun as its main armament.