Image Gallery: March 2004
New tanks for Australian Army
10 March 2004
The Government will equip the Australian Army with a fleet of 59 United States M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management main battle tanks to replace the ageing Leopards, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today. The project cost is about $550 million. The Abrams tanks are significantly more capable than the current tank and will contribute to the Army becoming more lethal in future close combat. The Government accepted Defence’s advice that the Abrams is the best capability and the best value for money with the lowest risk of the three replacement tank options examined.
The Abrams can reach speeds of up to 66kph on Australian roads and up to 48kph cross country with a cruising range of up to 480km, carrying four crew and ammunition. Each tank is equipped with a 120mm smooth bore cannon as its primary weapon and a 50-calibre machine gun for the tank commander in addition to two 7.62mm machine guns. They are capable of firing an advanced kinetic energy tungsten penetrator against vehicles and a multi-purpose round for infantry support. They have also been designed to provide a level of protection for soldiers from nuclear, biological or chemical threats.
Read Ministerial release: M1 Abrams chosen as Australian Army’s replacement tank
Read transcript: Press Conference with Defence Minister and Chief of Army Q&A
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| The
M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in action. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| Support
vehicle: The M 978 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical
Truck. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| Support
vehicle: The M 1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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| Support
vehicle: The Hercules M88A2. (File image) Low-res | Hi-res |
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