![]() This was seen as an ideal solution to the unacceptable predictions regarding the Mid-Eastern armor balance from both quantitative and qualitative points of view. The UK would allow Israel to participate in the final stages of Chieftain development, would sell Israel Chieftains, and would help Israel build, in Israel, an assembly line for Chieftains. According to this deal, Israel would buy hundreds of obsolete Centurion tanks. In view of their financial constraints they proposed a "package deal". This tank was designed to be the strongest and most modern in the west. In 1966 the British needed money in order to complete the development of their new tank of the future, the Chieftain, with its 120mm cannon. Many components of this once thought to be 'to technical tank' would find their way into the Merkava. The biggest modifications were the upgrade of the engine, sights and blazer packages. The base vehicles went through a number of both major and minor modifications culminating in the Sho't with blazer package seen in the 1982 invasion of Lebanon and retired with honor duing the 90's. ![]() ![]() Original Centurions had 20 pounder main guns, these were quickly upgunned to the British 105 mm L7. Many different variants were bought by Israel over the years from many different countries. The British Centurion was named "Sh'ot" (Scourge) by the Israelis and upgraded to meet their demands in modern warfare. The first Centurions had a 17 pound main gun while later models had a 20 pound gun. The original A41 Centurion tanks were produced near the end of World War II by manufacturers in Great Britain.
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