Three versions of the Abrams tank are currently in service the original M1 model, dating from the early 1980s, and two newer versions, designated M1A1 and M1A2. The M1A1 series, produced from 1985 through 1993, (from your link)
The M1A1/2 Abrams main battle tank is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). The first M1 tank was produced in 1978, the M1A1 in 1985 and the M1A2 in 1986. 3,273 M1 tanks were produced for the US Army. 4,796 M1A1 tanks were built for the US Army, 221 for the US Marines and 555 co-produced with Egypt. 77 M1A2 tanks have been built for the US Army, 315 for Saudi Arabia and 218 for Kuwait. For the M1A2 Upgrade Program, 1079 M1 Abrams tanks are being upgraded to M1A2 configuration. (from my link)
I'm not so sure that some of the M1A1 didn't go to the Gulf. First of all, I was told by the line monitor that they were going to the ME. I worked at this place 1985-1987.
There are or were some bad ones that got through. I kept trying to get the line lead to do something about the problems. Nothing. I tried telling the foreman. Nothing. I even told one of the owners of the company. Nothing.
The problems ranged from people not using the proper braidind (weight and length), not using shill tape, connectors not being properly torqued, and too few being tested for water submersion, and those that were tested, always failed. The guy that did that job told me he never had one pass. Some idiots were even using scotch tape on the wires....
After the tank episode and being told I was a troublemaker and had a poor work attitude, I demanded to be put on another line. While on the new line I got to hear about other jobs that were 'failing'. One of the expeditors quit because she knew they were shipping bad stuff, and after fighting with the company over it, refused to ship them and quit.
Hopefully as you say, we are using the newest!