Gingertanker,
Wish I had come across this website and IDF one from yesterday morning sooner when dealing with the Turkish M60T. I needed a "reboot" on the SABRA. The confusion from what I'm reading now stems from the IMI proposal to the IDF to upgrade the MAGACH 7C with a 120mm MG with some other improvements and designate it the SABRA Mk I. A further upgrade would be made to the MAGACH 7C but, as you noted it would be the MAGACH 6B GAL BATASH (aka Magach 7D or 8) as noted by both refs mentioned as well also. So SABRA is the upgraded
export version of the MAGACH. The Turkish M60T in reality is a SABRA Mk I-III as it's development between Israel and Turkey progressed.
http://www.patton-mania.com/IDF_Patt...f_pattons.html
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/sabra/
I'll just post from one site on MERKAVA as it's comprehensive with dates and variants...
MERKAVA 1 Mk I...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/israe...entificat.html
MERKAVA 2 Mk II...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/israe..._identifi.html
MERKAVA 3 Mk III...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/israe...tion_iden.html
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava/
MERKAVA 4 Mk IV...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/israe..._identifi.html
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava4/
Thanks again about the SABRA again I remember it being a headache at the time the M60T was being submitted.
Regards,
Pat