Australia to splash out on heavy armour
The Australian Army's tank fleet is to receive a makeover. (Gordon Arthur)
Modern Abrams tanks, bridge-layers, recovery vehicles and breaching vehicles for Australia await contract signature.
Government approvals from the US will see the Australian Army’s M1 Abrams tank fleet upgraded, as well as new combat engineering assets allocated.
Greater clarity emerged on 29 April when the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced a potential $1.685 billion Foreign Military Sale to Canberra.
The extent of the purchase of combat engineering vehicles under Project Land 8160 Phase 1 is probably beyond what many were anticipating. At the same time, the number of tanks broadly accords with what was anticipated under Project Land 907 Phase 2.
These combined projects represent a serious boost to Australia’s armoured vehicle fleet.
The DSCA
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