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Originally Posted by Doc Howl  Meh. The last time the Israelis went into Beirut, they brought these wonderful Merkava IV infantry tanks (neat concept, an MBT that carries troops).
Hezbollah had dug a load of tunnels, and would pop up behind them with that new tandem-warhead RPG29, and own the crap out of them.
The Israelis - who should have known better by now - continued to treat it as a mechanized warfare engagement, and snatched a tie from the jaws of victory. |
The last time the IDF visited Beirut was in 1982-1984. The Israeli Merkava-4 main battle tank only entered into full production in 2001. Your time line is well off. So is your understanding of Merkava-4 technology. This tank is equipped with four hardened exterior cameras which provide a 360° peripheral view displayed on internal plasma color video monitors. If used properly, this MK-4 technology mitigates the very scenario that you articulated above.
I think you probably had the 2006 Lebanon War in mind. If I remember correctly, around 55 tanks (not all MK-4) sustained missile/RPG/IED damage. Five damaged tanks could not be returned to service. A post-conflict general overview of MK-4 performance concluded that most of the damage sustained was the result of tactical (human) shortcomings rather than tank capability.
All the same, Israel has since equipped its battle tanks with the 'Trophy' active protection system. This digital system detects and destroys incoming missiles and RPG rounds with a shotgun-like blast of dense munition.