Fire power: Video clip - The Abrams M1A1 tanks will form a key component of the Australian Defence Force’s Hardened and Networked Army.

On February 16 the Australian Army took another step in the acquisition of its 59 Abrams M1A1 tanks under Project Land 907 Phase one, with the first five rolling off the production line in the United States (US).

Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) Project Manager Land 907, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Libby said the tanks have undergone extensive overhaul and upgrade under the United States Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program where they will be overhauled to an as new condition and receive technology insertions.

Army will gain increased firepower, mobility and survivability from the purchase of the Abrams tanks, which will replace Army’s current in-service tank the Leopard AS1. Project Land 907 will deliver a complete replacement tank capability which includes the acquisition of 59 tanks, seven armoured recovery vehicles, 14 tank transporters, eight tactical fuel trucks and a logistics support package including training systems based on new gunnery and driving simulation systems to enhance crew performance and reduce operating costs for the fleet.

The tanks will be the first major equipment Project Land 907 will deliver using the United States Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Lieutenant Colonel Libby said that the FMS system offered Project Land 907 the advantages of a world class tank in an environment of low budget, low schedule and low technical risk.

‘Purchasing via the US FMS program has been a very effective way to go about acquiring the tanks,’ he said.

Project Land 907 is the second largest Australian Defence Purchase through the FMS program. The largest was the purchase of F/A-18 aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The FMS program is the US government-to-government method for selling US defence equipment, services and training. Under the FMS program the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, a US Defense Department agency, buys the items required from US manufacturers. The main benefit of FMS sales is that it offers technology that may otherwise not be available and often at a very effective cost. This is because the Pentagon frequently combines FMS orders with its own orders which results in economies of scale.

This is the case with Project Land 907 where the five completed Australian Army tanks purchased under the project will initially remain in the US at Fort Hood Texas where Australian operators and maintainers will receive training to support introduction into service of the capability. These five will then be shipped to Australia as part of the equipment deliveries set to commence later this year.

While most of the Project Land 907 equipment has been purchased via FMS, the essential heavy tank transporters, fuel trucks and facilities have been purchased from Australian companies. Lieutenant Colonel Libby said further opportunities still exist for Australian companies to become involved in the through life support of the platforms which will be housed in Darwin, Bandiana and Puckapunyal.

‘We are currently negotiating our way through a tender process seeking support from Australian industry to provide through life support for the tanks and recovery vehicles.'

With deliveries of support equipment already commenced and deliveries of the prime equipment set for later this year, 2006 promises to be the year of the tank.

M1A1 Statistics

Key System Characteristics
Weight :	63,005 kg
Crew :	4
Engine :	1500 hp (1117kW) Gas Turbine
Speed :	Max 67 km/hr
Cruising Range :	440 – 480 km
Armament :	120mm Smooth Bore Cannon,
	50 cal and 7.62mm Machine Guns