Exports of Merkava Tank systems expected to reach $400 million in 2008

Some 220 factories are involved in the manufacture of the Israeli made tank, employing some 10,000 workers. This year Merkava tank systems sales rose 13% to $350 million
 
Exports of Israel’s advanced Merkava tank systems are expected to reach some $400 million by 2008, according to Mr. Yehuda Haiman director general of the Association of Metal and Electronics Industries. This year Merkava tank systems sales rose 13% to $350million.
 
The IDF itself is continuously buying the Merkava as part of its plan to replace about 2-3% of its tanks per year with the new Merkava Mk 4, in order to provide superior protection to tank crews. But the Association says the IDF and government’s indecisionabout the future of the Merkava is causing damage to Merkava’s exports.
 
Some 220 factories are involved in the manufacture of the Israeli made tank, employing some 10,000 workers. Haiman emphasized that "Any further delay or prevarication by the political leadership or the IDF on further orders for the Merkava Mk 4 tank in thecoming years could hit exports and production lines hard”.
 
He added that the delay in reaching a decision was already causing disruption at many factories, increasing the risk of closure of vital production lines, loss of essential infrastructure, and the irreversible loss of critical capabilities that have national importance.