Western/Israeli MBT HEAT armor too high?

[Marek_Tucan]

Just to the statistics, if you take Lebanon 2006, then only 18 Israeli tanks were seriously damaged by ATGM's/RPG's. There are pics clearly demonstrating Merkava Mk4 NERA after a front turret hit by Kornet - clearly failed to penetrate. Most of the penetrating hits were achieved from sides (applies not only to Merk 4 but to older variants used there as well) and by massed ATGM/RPG fire so yes, it seems that against modern MBT¨s it is a game of chance and you have to deplete ATGM stocks.

[Marek_Tucan]

The Lebanon situation was also worsened by indecision of Israeli leadership - leading to a situation where IDF danced around in a relatively limited region close to borders, that meant prepared firing positions and good knowledge of terrain allowed for generally unavoidable ambushes.

[Skirmisher]

The Hezbollah had hidden underground bunkers as well. IDF would move through and area, then hezbollah fighters would emerge and attack from the rear.