[Coming Soon] Merkava Mk.3B: Modern Modification!

The Big and Medium trophies contain an Israeli Main Battle Tank (MBT) equipped with a 120 mm gun, available in the U.S. tech tree.

Historical note

The Merkava Mk.3 main battle tank, developed in the late 1980s, represented a major advancement in Israeli tank design. While retaining the front-mounted engine and transmission layout of its predecessors, the Mk.3 received significant upgrades to its core systems, including a new 120 mm gun, a modern Fire Control System (FCS), and modular turret armor.

Production of the Merkava Mk.3 began in 1990 and continued until 2002, with around 700 units built. In 1994, the Mk.3B variant was introduced, featuring reinforced turret armor, additional anti-HEAT side skirts, and a rear troop compartment. The Merkava Mk.3 remains in service with the IDF today, alongside more modern variants.

Merkava Mk.3B (Rank XIII)

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: Advanced turret protection, powerful 120 mm gun, high crew survivability.
Weaknesses: Moderate mobility, engine vulnerable to damage.
Opportunities: A fully modern MBT, ideal for urban combat and sniper-style ambushes.
Threats: Vulnerable to attacks on side armor.

In battle

The Merkava Mk.3B marks a significant evolution in the Israeli MBT lineup. It features modular turret armor, a new 120 mm gun with highly effective armor-piercing shells, and an upgraded engine that partially addresses the limited mobility of earlier Merkava models. Introducing the first Israeli Rank XIII tank in the game!

Israel Military Industries developed the 120 mm smoothbore MG251 gun specifically for Merkava tanks, and the Mk.3B was the first variant to be equipped with it. The tank can fire three types of ammunition: HEAT-FS, HE-TF, and the M322 APFSDS shell, renowned for its exceptional penetration. In fact, with a well-placed shot, the Merkava Mk.3B can penetrate any tank from any angle!

The second key upgrade of the Merkava Mk.3B is its new 1,200-horsepower engine, which greatly enhances the tank's mobility compared to earlier models. While it is not the fastest Rank XIII tank and is slightly slower than many of its counterparts, this drawback is minor. The Merkava Mk.3B remains capable of dynamic combat and can often be among the first to secure key positions, especially on urban maps.

Crew protection and survivability are central to the Merkava design philosophy, and the Mk.3B continues this tradition. The front-mounted engine and transmission often shield the crew from frontal hits, though this positioning can result in the engine being disabled during combat. Even so, the crew can continue to operate and fight while the tank is temporarily immobilized. The Mk.3B also places a strong emphasis on turret protection: the entire frontal arc and sides of the turret are reinforced with thick NERA composite armor, which is particularly effective against chemical energy (HEAT) warheads. Additionally, the sharp angles where the armor plates converge near the gun mantlet increase effective armor thickness and improve the likelihood of ricochets against kinetic penetrators.

The first Israeli Rank XIII tank has proven highly competitive against counterparts from other nations. Its enhanced frontal armor excels in urban combat, while its precise 120mm gun with excellent armor-piercing shells makes the Merkava Mk.3B a formidable sniper tank.

Premium version of the Merkava Mk.3B (Rank XIII)

The Premium variant is an extra tank for your hangar! The premium tank maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium tank you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

Premium version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Big Trophy.
By reaching the top-10 in the relevant Leaderboard.
From the Collector's Trophy after adding the vehicle to this trophy type;
In Special Offers.

Standard version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Medium Trophy.
Order vehicles for Silver Lions after collecting 1,000 blueprints.

Ways to get blueprints:

In Medium Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 10 to 100 pcs per attempt.
In Big Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 80 to 200 pcs per attempt.
In the in-game store: purchase for Silver Lions a Folder with a number of blueprints (even after the season ends).
In special offers.

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still work in progress and may differ on release.

The Merkava Mk.3B (Rank XIII) can be obtained in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) from Medium or Big Trophies in the Tank Campaign with the start of the new Season.