The Australian Army has completed the first operations and sustainment training in preparation for the service’s upcoming Abrams M1A2 main battle tanks.
The effort’s implementation followed Canberra’s order of 75 Abrams from the US in 2022, 46 of which have already been delivered.
About 14 of the platforms are expected to be delivered to the Townsville-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment later this year.
Additional training for the latest tranche will begin in early 2025.
“These new main battle tanks are an essential part of our combined arms fighting system,” Australian Army Land Capability Head Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg stated. “They will enable land forces to control key strategic land positions, enabling long-range strike as part of the integrated force.”
“There is no other capability on the battlefield that can provide this level of protection, accurate and lethal fire, and cross-terrain mobility.”
“They will give our soldiers the best probability of mission success and of coming home safely.”
Maintenance Ready
According to the army, the latest armored fleet will be supported by both existing infrastructure and new maintenance solutions that the government will invest in for the future.
Related services will be established near points where the tracked vehicles will operate, including Puckapunyal and Bandiana in Victoria, and Townsville in Queensland.
“The new main battle tanks will require a range of sub-system and component maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities,” Australian Army Land Systems Head Maj. Gen. Jason Blain explained.
“Army will also use simulation training systems being delivered by Defence industry partners, including Thomas Global Systems Australia and Thales Australia, based in New South Wales, and Universal Motion Simulation, based in Victoria.”
Landing Craft Training
In January 2024, the Australian Department of Defence began the 18-month operations training for the military’s future littoral maneuver fleet.
These systems will include medium to heavy landing craft that will support the transport of up to six Abrams tanks in the theater.
Delivery of the platforms will run from 2027 to 2028