The Australian Army is rapidly bringing in to service its new fleet of main battle tanks, with the first cohort of Australian Army soldiers completing training on operations and maintenance at Puckapunyal.
Army will have a fleet of 75 of the Abrams M1A2 main battle tanks, with 46 already delivered from the United States.
Head Land Capability, Major General Richard Vagg, said the upgraded fleet has improvements in lethality, protection, mobility and communications.
"These new main battle tanks are an essential part of our combined arms fighting system. They will enable land forces to control key strategic land positions, enabling long-range strike as part of the integrated force." Major General Vagg said.
"There is no other capability on the battlefield that can provide this level of protection, accurate and lethal fire, and cross-terrain mobility."
"They will give our soldiers the best probability of mission success and of coming home safely."
"We are grateful for the tremendous contribution the United States has made toward the delivery of this capability under the US Foreign Military Sales program. It is a true reflection of the deep and enduring alliance we share."
Head Land Systems, Major General Jason Blain, said the new tanks would take advantage of existing support infrastructure where possible. There will also be significant investment in Australian industry to support maintenance of the new Abrams M1A2s.
"The new main battle tanks will require a range of sub-system and component maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities."
These services will be based in locations where main battle tanks will operate, including at Puckapunyal and Bandiana in Victoria, and Townsville in Queensland.
"Army will also use simulation training systems being delivered by Defence industry partners, including Thomas Global Systems Australia and Thales Australia, based in New South Wales, and Universal Motion Simulation, based in Victoria."
Fourteen of the Abrams M1A2s will be delivered to 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based in Townsville, by the end of the year. Field training with these new main battle tanks will commence early in 2025.
Media Note
Vision/imagery of the arrival, soldier training and the live-fire demonstration can be found at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20242321.
