[Marcello]

"Merkava concept is ideal for this."

AFAIK, while the Merkava was employed in such role, it was a secondary one.They could carry a fire team, but at the expense of a substantially reduced ammunition load. Carrying wounded or bailed out tank crews was probably their main concern.Supposedly it could also serve as a command vehicle.
This vehicle is supposed to carry infantry as standard procedure.When you think to 40+ tons IFVs (the german Puma) with six troops or the increase of firepower (CV-90s sporting 40mm guns), then something like this isn't a big jump.