Morocco requests Abrams tank upgrades
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of enhancements to Morocco’s Abrams tanks, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 29 November.
In a package worth $1.25 billion, Morocco has requested enhancements to 162 Abrams tanks to one of the following variants: the M1A1 situational awareness baseline version, the M1A2M, which includes commander’s independent thermal viewer, or the M1A1 US Marine Corps version, which includes slew to cue.
The requested package includes 162 M2 Chrysler mount machine guns; 324 M240 machine guns; 1,035 M865 training SABOT rounds; and 1,610 M831Al HEAT rounds. Also included are 162 export single channel ground and airborne radio systems; 162 RT-1702 receiver transmitters; 162 M250 smoke grenade launchers; M962 .50 calibre rounds; special armour; hunter/killer technology; communication support equipment; and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
Morocco procured its Abrams fleet through the US Excess Defense Article programme.
If the sale goes ahead, General Dynamics Land Systems will be the prime contractor.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
How joint ventures are expanding Rheinmetall's munitions portfolio (video)
Roman Köhne, CEO of Rheinmetall's Weapon and Ammunition Division, discusses the company's announcements at Eurosatory 2026, including developments in defence technology, precision systems, industrial partnerships and future capability programmes.
-
Canada reveals first requirements for future long-range air-to-air missile
Exclusive: Ottawa says its future NORAD interceptor must be highly stealthy, resistant to jamming and capable of engaging threats at very long range, while leaving the competition open to domestic and international suppliers.
-
July land forces roundup: UK outlines spending with details unveiled on Eurosatory vehicles
Analysis of the long-awaited UK Defence Investment Plan, which was finally released on 30 June, revealed scant investment in platform replacement for the British Army. The bright spot in July, however, was a multibillion-dollar contract awarded for the British Army’s Collective Training System.