Magach 7
Summary
| Origin country | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Sub-type | Heavy Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Israeli Military Industries |
| Number built | 150 units |
Technical specifications
| Crew | 4 personnels |
| Range | 450 km |
| Mass | 57.3 tons |
| Height | 3.3 m (10.8 ft) |
| Width | 3.6 m (11.8 ft) |
| Length | 9.33 m (30.6 ft) |
| Max. speed | 48 km/h (30 mph) |
| Engine | Continental AVDS 1790-2 V-12 Diesel Engine with 690 hp |
| Weapon 1 | 1 M68 105mm rifled barrel (54 shells) gun |
| Weapon 2 | 1 M-2HB 12.7mm machine gun (3000 rounds) |
| Weapon 3 | 1 7.62mm M73 coaxial machine gun (10,000 rounds) |
Further Reading
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Historical operators
Description
The Magach 7 is an Israeli main battle tank developed from the American M60 series. The designation Magach translates from Hebrew as "battering-ram." Following the Yom Kippur War, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) integrated the M60 into service during the 1970s to replace armored vehicle losses. Although the M60 was an older model compared to the M60A1, it was assigned the higher numerical designation of Magach 7 to address inventory requirements.
The vehicle is powered by a 908 hp AVDS-1790-5A engine and is equipped with tracks based on those used by the Merkava tank. Protection is provided by additional passive armor. The Magach 7 also features an updated fire control system. Specific configurations include the Magach 7A, characterized by a fixed flat mantlet with gun slots, and the Magach 7C, which utilizes a fixed angled mantlet. An interim version, the Magach 7B, featured an armor configuration similar to the 7C but did not reach production.
The IDF operated the Magach 7 in large numbers throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War, Magach 7 tanks were equipped with explosive reactive armor. While the series served as a primary armored platform for several decades, it was gradually superseded by the Merkava. By 2006, the IDF had replaced the Magach 7 in all regular units. Some chassis were modified into the Pereh missile carrier, a tank destroyer armed with 12 Spike NLOS missiles housed in an enlarged turret. To maintain deception, the Pereh is fitted with a fake cannon barrel. This variant was utilized during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.