The last Leopard Tanks in service for the Australian Army are farewelled by a guard of 1st Armoured Regiment's new M1A1 Abrams Tanks from the 1st Brigade parade ground at Robertson Barracks.

Guests from across Australia and the United States attended the readiness parade of the first M1A1 Abrams Tank Squadron in Darwin on 7th July 2007.

The formal mounted parade signified the readiness of an Abrams Tank Squadron for operational service and the withdrawal of the last Leopard Tank Squadron after 30 years service in the Australian Army.

The parade was attended by friends and family of 1st Armoured Regiment members and previous serving Commanding Officers, Regimental Sergeant Majors and soldiers. The parade was reviewed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay. The Australian Armoured Corps Honorary Colonel, Major General Powell, and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy were also in attendance.

The parade coincided with the 1st Armoured Regiment’s 58th birthday and involved 27 M1A1 Abrams Tanks, 11 Leopard tanks, two M88 HERCULES Recovery vehicles, four Heavy Tank Transporters and the Regiment’s forward repair assets, driving in formations and participating in an inspection and advance in review order.

Commanding Officer of the 1st Armoured Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Hayward said that crews have undergone intense training to reach this stage.

"We've sent about 200 soldiers over to the United States over the last two years," he said.

"They've trained with the Americans. They've operated the tank in the US and they've brought those skills back to Australia. We've practiced at Mount Bundy training area and they've taken to the tanks very well."

The readiness of an Abrams Tank Squadron has been achieved six months ahead of schedule due to an effective and collaborative approach between DMO, Army and Capability Development Executive and the dedicated good work of the Land 907 Project Team in Australia and Detroit.

Maintenance support of the tanks is currently conducted by Army tradesmen and existing Defence contracts and supply support is provided through arrangements with the United States Government. A request for tender for the long term through life support of M1A1 Abrams Tanks will be released in November 2007 and will be based on a Performance Based Logistics concept, currently being modelled by the DMO in consultation with Defence Industry.

For further information in relation to the contract tender, contact MAJ Craig Byrne, Integrated Logistics Support Manager, Victoria Barracks, on 03 9282 6032 or craig.byrne@defence.gov.au.