60 Abrams tanks on way (Australia)

The Australian ^ | February 19, 2004 | Cameron Stewart and John Kerin

[Dundee]

60 Abrams tanks on way

THE Australian Defence Force is preparing to receive 60 US Abrams tanks, despite Howard Government claims it has made no decision to buy them.

Military sources say they expect an imminent announcement on the purchase of the heavy-duty Abrams, which would give Australia a much-enhanced tank capability.

The 60 Abrams - expected to cost about $600million - would replace the army's fleet of up to 100 Leopard tanks, which are 30 years old.

The new tanks are expected to arrive in Australia within 12 months of the announcement. Up to 45 are expected to be located at the army's 1st Armoured Regiment in Darwin and another 15 at the Puckapunyal army base in Victoria, for training purposes.

A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Robert Hill said this week the Government had not yet made a decision on which tanks would replace the Leopards.

But Australian military sources say the Abrams has already been chosen, even if the purchase has not been formally approved by the Government.

A senior US military commander embarrassed the Government last month by claiming Australia had already bought the Abrams.

The Chief of Army, Peter Leahy, in a speech last week gave the strongest indication yet that Canberra would opt for the Abrams tank when he talked about criticism of its gas-guzzling properties.

The Abrams, at 68 tonnes, has been criticised for being more tank than the ADF needs and difficult to transport aboard our existing navy ships.

"I would like to thank those critics who took the time and effort to point out that the new tanks might be heavy, difficult to deploy and use fuel," Lieutenant-General Leahy said.

"I hope you won't find it strange to hear we had actually thought about that, and they're either not a problem or we have ... strategies in place."

[Dundee]

This is the first batch of 60 M1A2's with a further 40 coming in at the end of this year or the start of the next.

We're very happy to be rid of the old Leopard 1.

[mylife]

enjoyem mate

[GeronL]

They better not be the A3's! we ain't enough of those ourselves =o)

[RicocheT]

These M1A2 tanks are just to train on. The Australian army will not take them along when they are stationed abroad.

When abroad, they will use locally emplaced equipment, including the M1A2 tank. They do this as they don't have air or sea lift capability and we are glad to supply them in return for use of their manpower.

[BushMeister]

Are these M1A2SEPs? I can't imagine the U.S. would charge Australia $10 million per tank (even $AUS) for the less-capable M1A2.

It will feel good to know the Aussies have a couple of Abrams tank "regiments" (each a little smaller than what we in the U.S. would call "battalions") ready to pitch in when necessary- and to defend themselves against the Chinese. ;-)

[Scubes]

Cool.
Would you (or not) happen to know why Australia does not deploy SP artillery and any rocket artillery systems? Or are these types of systems only for more offensive use ie to be used by a country not a large island. Whereas a large island country can use MBTs in a defensive scenario although towed artillery pieces.