1) that is not entirely true about the Merkava.
It was first designed in the 1960's. And the first prototype was in 1974...only 1 year after Yom Kippur.
So, clearly, they were designed for large tank battles - not urban tank battles with terrorists.
They have since modified it more for urban environs though.
Also, I disagree with their armament stowage as well.
IMO, the idea of a dude shoving a main round into an MBT gun is dinosaur stuff.
Also, turrets should have become fully automated decades ago as well.
2) Fair enough.
But, no offense, testing means little.
I mean, the Germans tested the Maus.
But they just did it to please Hitler.
No way it ever would have been produced.
But the Armata is actually in production
- it's just that Russia is so broke...they cannot afford to build many.