Three of the new Barak tanks at the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate in Tel HaShomer. (Israeli Ministry of Defense)

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD) unveiled a new version of the Merkava 4 main battle tank called the Barak on 19 September.

“The Barak tank incorporates ground-breaking technologies, which provide soldiers of the Armored Corps unique defensive and offensive capabilities that improve manoeuvrability tremendously,” an MoD statement quoted Ground Forces Commander Major General Tamir Yadai as saying.

The MoD released a video showing three completed Baraks at the Merkava and Armored Vehicles Directorate in Tel HaShomer and said the first new tanks were delivered to the 52nd Battalion of the 401st Armoured Brigade earlier in the month. It added that the Barak will replace the Merkava 4 as the main tank for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF’s) armoured forces.