Israeli tanks "Merkava" may appear in Ukraine

15 2023 June 16

Enemies of Russia seek to stuff Ukraine with any available weaponry. So, for the supply of heavy armored vehicles to Kyiv in the West, they even created a special “tank coalition”, which collects weapons all over the planet. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that even Israeli-made tanks may appear on the equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, although Israel has repeatedly stated that it is not going to help the Ukrainian side in this matter.

For example, hundreds of old Israeli Merkava tanks of the 2nd and 3rd generations (versions Mk.2 and Mk.3) will soon arrive in Europe as part of deals to sell them to unnamed states. This is reported by the Yediot Ahronot newspaper from Israel, citing its informed sources.

The publication notes that these heavy tracked vehicles, sharpened for combat operations in the desert, have not been operated by the Israel Defense Forces for a long time and are in storage warehouses. However, after Russia launched a military defense in Ukraine, the Israeli military began to test these tanks, recognizing them as suitable for sale to other countries to the necessary extent.

This information is also confirmed by the director of the defense export department of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Yair Koles. According to him, the Israeli side is currently negotiating with two states on the sale of tanks, one of which is located on the territory of continental Europe. In an interview, Yair Koles stressed that the Israeli Ministry of Defense, despite the dissatisfaction of the local military-industrial complex, categorically banned their re-export to Ukraine.

In turn, military experts are sure that few people in Europe may need to replenish the tank fleet of their army with outdated and rather peculiar MBTs from Israel. At the same time, they think that at least one deal is an intermediate step (link, stage) for the further legalization of the transfer of these tanks to Kiev without a formal violation of Israel's neutrality, which will allow them to be given to anyone except their opponents, i.e. the re-export ban may be lifted later.

Note that the Merkava Mk.2 is a tank from the early 80s, similar to the German Leopard-1, but more protected. As for the Merkava Mk.3 tank, this is a much more advanced MBT, comparable to the German Leopard-2, i.e. quite a tolerable product of the military-industrial complex for the ongoing conflict. The tank has high combat stability, but it is very heavy - over 60 tons, which complicates its use in the plowed fields of Ukraine, where it often rains. We remind you that in Lebanon these tanks burned beautifully.

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strange guest

+4

15 June 2023 22: 12

To test the Sarmatians - a couple of pieces is enough - on its territory. And he is not) He is not a member of NATO, the Arab world will be grateful to us, we will show the seriousness of our intentions. Solid benefits and no cons.
1. RUR
  
  +2
  
  15 June 2023 22: 38
  
  The guest, he is almost a member, there are little advertised Israel-NATO treaties ... it's another matter that the people in the USA / EU (EC) will not trample on massively defending, like, the elect ... but, however, there will always be those who need money ... their Merkava itself or whatever it is ... probably the best tank for their conditions, but judging by the fact that the tank almost never goes outside the region for export, this is a dubious acquisition
  1. strange guest
    
    0
    
    15 June 2023 22: 47
    
    So I say - painless for us could be an operation. And no problem. Neither with the Merkavas, nor with Palestine, and eternal friendship with the entire South) In principle, we can shoot at everyone we don’t like. In addition to the States, they will, of course, answer for themselves. This is serious.
2. skeptic
  
  +4
  
  15 June 2023 22: 59
  
  Quote: Strange guest
  To test the Sarmatians - a couple of pieces is enough - on its territory. And there is none)
  
  Why are you so bloodthirsty?
  You can understand the transfer of some "obsolete" missiles to someone in the East, and then let them, the Jewish god admonishes the truth -
  
  do not wish for others what you do not wish for yourself.
  1. strange guest
    
    +1
    
    15 June 2023 23: 04
    
    Why is it so difficult? On the contrary, it should be open and cynical. So that the whole world shudders and calms down in its holes. And to be afraid to squeak. Solve the problem once and for all - not "waiting for peritonitis."
new.ad

+3

15 June 2023 22: 39

Israel is the center of world fascism and must perish just as Nazi Germany perished. They killed all the Christians, they are finishing off the Muslims, our Christian country. We need to step up support for Iran. Many Russian foreign agents go there as if they were at home. These are the ones who closed our hospitals before the covid epidemic and shot Russian spies in Perestroika. Many of our engineers, businessmen and scientists were lured away by the enemies, bled our country bled.
The Little Russians are being purged so that Western Europeans can live more freely, tk. there are not so many resources in the world that have not been consumed, including Biden parasites who want to cling to the restoration of Ukraine.
Let me remind you that people in Ukraine lived and live on their own land, primordially Russian, practically on self-sufficiency, at their own expense. The Slavs also lived on the territory of present-day Israel, and now Israelis live there with Palestinians.
lord-palladore-11045

0

15 June 2023 22: 48

The Merkava tank is not bad, but for its conditions, especially since it burned well in Lebanon. No, he will not appear in Ukraine - it is extremely unlikely.
Irek

0

16 June 2023 06: 48

Junk from all over the world, which is expensive to dispose of, goes to Ukraine at the price of a new one.
Jstas

+1

16 June 2023 07: 03

To test the Sarmatians - a couple of pieces are enough - on its territory ...
The original solution to the Jewish question
Mikhail Dadeko

0

16 June 2023 08: 30

The main thing for Jews is to sell "stale goods", and there they will burn out immediately or later, it doesn't matter, but there is one nuisance, the "image" of the Merkava will be tarnished, and that's putting it mildly!
Ten canarias

+3

16 June 2023 09: 07

The Jews intend to help the Ukronazis, the ideological descendants of Bandera, whose hands are up to the elbows in Jewish blood .. Well, well, the Jews will ask for more protection ...
Vasya 225

0

16 June 2023 09: 12

Merkava is a car specially made for the Middle East theater of operations. High protection, low speed, large mass. This is not for UA. Let them try. Although it is unlikely to be. They were explained long ago that then the Palestinians would have more Kornets.
1. RUR
  
  0
  
  16 June 2023 15: 00
  
  They are not worried about Palestine, they are very worried about the friendship and military cooperation between the Russian Federation and Iran ... therefore, the Merkavas may end up in Ukraine in the summer ...
Anton Kuzmin

0

16 June 2023 10: 31

Quote from: lord-pallador-11045
The Merkava tank is not bad, but for its conditions, especially since it burned well in Lebanon. No, he will not appear in Ukraine - it is extremely unlikely.

I completely agree with the first part, but with the second ... it will be necessary to look. The fact is that, purely logically, you are absolutely right, desert equipment is not for black soil. But where is the 404 and where is the logic?

To spite grandmother frostbite ears!

According to this principle, the Merkavas near Konotop can drown! If the horses drown in the mud there, then the Merkav has no chance at all! :)
Anton Kuzmin

0

16 June 2023 10: 36

"Merkava" will definitely appear in Ukraine. However, there will be little sense from their use. Not for that TVD were created! Where is the desert and where is the dirt!

But the most important thing is not even that. Practice already now shows that Ukrainians do not really bother with the evacuation and restoration of any Western equipment. Simply because the rears are sharpened for the resuscitation of Soviet equipment. For the Western, there is neither technology nor specialists. And it is possible to transport scrap metal for repairs back and forth, but it is also expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, "merkavas", even slightly broken and / or stuck, will quickly abandon
The comment was deleted.
In passing

+2

16 June 2023 13: 20

According to the principle - on you, God, that we are not good. The old ones may well be sent from "deep" storage. to order new ones. Nothing personal, just business. And yes, you can help the Palestinians with missiles, at parity prices, for example. And the Golan Heights is Syrian territory.