General Dynamics Land Systems to convert additional batch of Saudi M1A2 main battle tanks

a
Defence & Security Industry News - General Dynamics Land Systems
 
 
Tuesday, December 23, 2014 11:01 AM
 
 General Dynamics Land Systems to convert additional batch of Saudi M1A2s main battle tanks
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $99,738,476 foreign military sales contract for converting 42 M1A2s for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to a M1A2S configuration. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio (95 percent), and Sterling Heights, Michigan (5 percent), with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2016.
     
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $99,738,476 foreign military sales contract for converting 42 M1A2s for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to a M1A2S configuration. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio (95 percent), and Sterling Heights, Michigan (5 percent), with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2016. Saudi M1A2S main battle tank showcased at IDEX 2013 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE
     
This new contract continues work started in 2008 to update M1A1 and M1A2 tanks to the M1A2S configuration for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The M1A2S conversion increases the efficiency and capability of the tank to the SEP (System Enhancement Package) level.

Due to heavy exterior armour, the tank offers enhanced protection to a crew of four, and also features a gunners primary sight (GPS), new Block I 2nd generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) technology, eye-safe laser range finder, as well as a blue force tracking (BFT) system for enhanced effectiveness in the battlefield.

Equipped with manually loaded 120mm M256 smooth bore cannon, the tank is capable of firing a multitude of different rounds, such as M865 TPCSDS-T and M831 TP-T training ammunition against enemy armoured vehicles, soldiers and low-flying aircraft.