GDLS receives Abrams FMS contract
M1A2 Abrams MBT. (Photo: US Army/ Sgt Nathan Franco).
Is Taiwan the customer in the latest FMS-related M1A2 Abrams contract?
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has received a $93.52 million contract for engineering, manufacturing, design and production of the M1A2 Abrams MBT for an FMS customer.
Bids were solicited via the internet but GDLS was the only company to respond to US Army Contracting Command, the DoD announced on 10 December.
Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of 30 September 2025.
The contract is funded from the FY2019 FMS budget. While the DoD did not divulge the identity of the customer, Taiwan received FMS approval for M1A2Ts in July 2019.
A potential $2 billion package would include 108 M1A2T Abrams plus associated subsystems, 14 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles, 16 M1070A1 heavy transporters plus support, logistics and training services.
The Taiwan Central News Agency subsequently reported that Taiwan was preparing to receive four batches of M1A2Ts between 2023 and 2026, with funding as follows: 18 tanks in 2022, 18 in 2023, 28 in 2024, 30 in 2025 and 14 in 2026.
In addition to US-made training simulators delivered as part of the FMS package, Taiwan's National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology will develop its own simulators for use with the M1A2T.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack]()
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
-
![Saab to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 near New Delhi as Swedish firm eyes Indian expansion]()
Saab to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 near New Delhi as Swedish firm eyes Indian expansion
Saab has planned to build “a streamlined ownership structure” in India to accelerate its investment plans and developing capabilities in the country.
-
![Japan orders THeMIS UGVs]()
Japan orders THeMIS UGVs
Milrem’s Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, multimission, hybrid UGV. The current fifth-generation model incorporates knowledge gained during tests in the US, Europe and the Middle East, as well as during field-deployment in Mali in the French-led Operation Barkhane.
-
![NATO orders more 155mm ammunition]()
NATO orders more 155mm ammunition
The contract, in the triple-digit million euro range, includes high explosive extended range projectiles, modular charges, fuzes and primers.
-
![US deploys Mid-Range Capability missile defence system to the Philippines]()
US deploys Mid-Range Capability missile defence system to the Philippines
Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile defence system has leveraged Lockheed Martin’s expertise with two in-service USN systems: the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) and the Aegis Weapon System.
