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Merkava vs T-72

Merkava vs T-72 at a glance — weight 61,000 vs 44,500 kg, top speed 55 vs 60 km/h, range 500 vs 500 km, crew 4 vs 3 (commander, gunner, driver).

Merkava main battle tank side profile drawing
🇮🇱 MerkavaFull specs
T-72 main battle tank side profile drawing
🇷🇺 T-72Full specs
Specifications
Merkava 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 2,270 units 25,000 units
Estimated unit price $3 million $2 million
Combat weight 61.0 tons 44.5 tons
Maximum speed 55 km/h 60 km/h
Operational range 500 km 500 km
Length 7.60 m 9.73 m
Width 3.70 m 3.59 m
Height 2.70 m 2.23 m
Crew 4 3 (commander, gunner, driver)
Performance Radar Chart
Armament & Powertrain
Merkava T-72
Main armament 1 M68 105mm 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 1790-9AR V-12 Diesel Engine with 900 hp V-92S2F (T-72B3 & T-72B3M) 1,130 hp (840 kW)
Explore further
Merkava side profile drawing Merkava Specs, operators & history →
Former operators · 2,270 built
T-72 side profile drawing T-72 Specs, operators & history →
Largest operators · in service
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the Merkava or T-72?
The T-72 is faster with a maximum road speed of 60 km/h compared to the Merkava's 55 km/h.
Which has longer operational range, the Merkava or T-72?
Both the Merkava and T-72 have an operational range of 500 km.
Which is heavier, the Merkava or T-72?
The Merkava is heavier at 61.0 tons combat weight compared to the T-72's 44.5 tons.
Which is larger, the Merkava or T-72?
The T-72 is longer at 9.73 meters compared to the Merkava's 7.60 meters.
How many crew members do the Merkava and T-72 require?
The Merkava requires a larger crew of 4, against 3 for the T-72.
Which is more expensive, the Merkava or T-72?
The Merkava is more expensive at approximately $3.0 million per unit compared to the T-72 at $2.0 million.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the Merkava or T-72?
The T-72 has been produced in greater numbers with 25,000 units compared to 2,270 units of the Merkava.
What are the main armaments of the Merkava and T-72?
The Merkava is armed with 1 M68 105mm rifled barrel (50 shells) gun while the T-72 carries 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun as its main armament.