Merkava - Primary Contractors

Primary Contractors

The lead organization for system integration of the Merkava's main components is Israel Military Industries (IMI). The Israeli Ordnance Corps are responsible for final Merkava assembly. Contributors to the vehicle include:

• IMI manufactures the 105 mm and 120 mm main guns and their ammunition;
• Urdan Industries assembles and constructs the hull, drive- and powertrains, and turret assemblies;
• Soltam manufactures the 60 mm internal mortar;
• Elta designs and manufactures the electronic sensors and infrared optics;
• Elbit delivers the ballistics computer and digital fire-control system (FCS);
• Tadiran provides cabin air conditioning, crew cabin intercom and radio equipment;
• El-Op, Elisra and Astronautics implement the optics and laser warning systems;
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems builds and installs the Rafael Overhead Weapon Station and Trophy active protection system;
• L-3 Communication Combat Propulsion Systems produces licensed copies of Germany's MTU MT883 1500 hp diesel engine powerplant and RENK RK325 transmissions;
• Motorola supplies Tadiran communication encryption systems;
• DuPont supplies the Nomex, ballistic, and fire-retardant materials used by Hagor;
• Russia Military Industries helped to design the KMT-4 & -5 anti-mine rollers and the ABK-3 dozer blade, now built by Urdan;
• FN Herstal supplies 7.62 mm (MAG 58) and 12.7 mm (M2) coaxial and pintle-mounted machine guns;
• Caterpillar assisted with an Israeli-designed track system.
• Bental Industries, a TAT Technologies subsidiary, produced the brushless motors used in the Mark IV's turret and gun control system.