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. The 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,” Blain said.
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.
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How many of the ‘old’ tanks have been delivered to Ukraine as promised??
Absolutely no idea. I don’t even know if they have left Australia yet.
Knowing the DoD we should know not to hold our breath
Yes they have, and we sold old centurians to the IDF
Supposedly all 47 MK 1 Abrams have been despatched . I recall reading it somewhere but was more interested in the revelation that the Ukrainians don’t like them and are sitting ducks to Russian drones. They’re also not enthralled that they are difficult to refuel easily. Having some small experience with the Leopard, I was astonished with the decision to replace them with Abrams. I assume the Abrams is a good Tank but I believe the Leopard is far better suited to Australian conditions. Armour isn’t my strong suit but from the reports I heard from the Tankies I met the Leopard was well reguarded and we’ll liked.
The competition to replace Leopard 1 was between Leopard 2 (probably the A4 variant) and M1A1. The evaluation team selected Leopard 2 as being superior in every respect and at a lower price. This was overturned at a higher level in Defence and presented to government. As a consequence, Australia received ex-USMC refurbished Abrams. Very fine tanks, of course, but as usual, Australia paid more money for slightly less capable vehicles because they have the Stars & Stripes painted on them. Both tanks have the mighty Rheinmetall Rh 120 L/55 main gun.
Hi ow many were promised? How many of them will be added to the stolen equipment of supporting nations?
Well at least the defence forces get some equipment. Let’s hope they function.
would’ve preferred the new german tank not a superseded US one