Projects
LAND 907 Phase 1 - Main Battle Tank Replacement
Armoured Vehicles | Support Vehicles | Simulators | Gallery
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Current Status Integrated Logistics Support Point of Contact |
Project Overview
Land 907 replaced the Army’s former in-service tank, the Leopard AS1 Main Battle Tank, with a modern tank capability based on the US M1A1 Main Battle Tank. The Abrams will ensure that the Australian Defence Force maintains a supportable, survivable and interoperable tank capability until at least 2020.
The project delivered a complete tank capability including the acquisition and logistical support of:
- 59 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks;
- Seven M88A2 HERCULES armoured recovery vehicles;
- 14 heavy tank transporters;
- Eight tactical fuel trucks;
- A complete training package, which will include gunnery and driving simulation systems to enhance crew performance and reduce operating costs for the tank fleet; and
- A complete logistics package including spare parts, training, ammunition and facilities.
The majority of the LAND 907 acquisitions are being managed through the United States Government Foreign Military Sales program.
The new tank capability was officially introduced into service on 7 July 2007.Current Status
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Armoured Vehicles-
On 10 March 2004, the Minister for Defence announced the selection of the United States M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) Main Battle Tanks as the preferred solution for LAND 907.
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The first delivery of 18 M1A1 tanks and four M88A2 HERCULES armoured recovery vehicles arrived in Melbourne on 21 September 2006. The remaining 41 tanks and two armoured recovery vehicles were delivered to Darwin on 4 March 2007.
- The initial operating capability of a tank squadron (14 Tanks) plus all supporting equipment, training, support and ammunition was officially introduced into service with 1st Armoured Regiment in Darwin on 7 July 2007. This occurred six months ahead of schedule.
Support Vehicles
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The contract for the supply of 14 heavy tank transporters was signed on 12 May 2005 with MAN Military Vehicle Systems Australia. Deliveries commenced in July 2006 and were completed in April 2007, approximately two and a half months ahead of schedule.
- The contract to supply eight truck tanker fuel was signed on 23 December 2004 with Mack Trucks Australia. Deliveries and fielding have been completed.
Simulators
- In September 2006, two gunnery simulators and the tank driver simulator were commissioned at the School of Armour in Puckapunyal, and a few days later the remaining four gunnery simulators were commissioned in Darwin. An Australian based company is providing through life support to the simulators.
Through Life Support
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LAND 907 sought expressions of interest in late 2005 for the provision of through life support in Australia for the M1A1 and M88A2 HERCULES vehicles.
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Options for the through life support of the M1A1 and M88A2 vehicles are being considered.
- The tank capability will be fully supported by the US Foreign Military Sales program until the through life support contract is operating.
Integrated Logistics Support
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LAND 907 Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) seeks to achieve the best compromise between risk, cost and schedule to provide the most robust and best value for money total support system for the new tank capability.
Maintenance support will be provided as follows:
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Military personnel will provide light and medium maintenance for Land Command units with a Joint Logistics Command contract providing this support at Training Command units.
- Contractors will provide heavy grade maintenance. The preferred option is for one prime contractor to manage the maintenance support for the entire tank capability. However, if this is not possible or practical, several contractors will be used.
Supply support will be provided through a combination of:
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Extant commercial agreements, an example being ammunition, which will be procured through commercial means using the expertise provided by the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Branch of the Defence Material Organisation;
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United States Government Foreign Military Sales agreements; and
- Original Equipment Manufacturer support for the heavy tank transporter.
A group of operators and maintainers underwent conversion training on the M1A1 and M88A2 over the period March – August 2006. These soldiers conducted the initial Australian conversion training which commenced in October 2006 and was completed in late-2007.
Integrated Logistics Support Manager - Tank
Telephone: +61 3 9282 6032
Point of Contact
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LAND 907 – Main Battle Tank Replacement  |
Australian M1A1 Abrams. |
Armoured Fighting Vehicle Systems Program Office
Land Manoeuvre Systems Branch
Defence Materiel Organisation
Victoria Barracks Melbourne
256-310 St Kilda Road
SOUTHBANK VIC 3006
Australia
Project Manager
Telephone: +61 3 9282 6778
Facsimile: +61 3 9282 6193