Exclusive: Australian army gains new engineer capability with U.S. M1150 ABV assault breacher vehicles.

Recent images released by the Australian Ministry of Defence showcase Australian soldiers undergoing training with the newly acquired U.S.-manufactured M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) at the School of Armour in Puckapunyal. This development marks a key step in the ongoing modernization of the Australian Army’s combined arms fighting capability, carried out under the LAND 907 and LAND 8160 programs. Designed to tackle minefields and fortified obstacles, the ABVs will significantly boost the Australian Army’s mobility and survivability during high-intensity combat operations.
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Australian soldiers from the Royal Australia Engineers conducted the first training block on the Australian Army’s new CEVs in Puckapunyal with the School of Armour in May, 2025.  (Picture source: Australia MoD)

The M1150 ABV (Assault Breacher Vehicle) is a U.S.-made combat-proven engineering vehicle built on the M1 Abrams main battle tank chassis. It is equipped with a front-mounted mine plow and a dual M58 Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC) system, enabling rapid breaching of complex obstacle belts under armor protection. The vehicle operates with a two-person crew and features a .50 caliber machine gun for self-defense, allowing it to conduct breaching tasks in hostile environments while maintaining combat readiness. Its robust protection and integrated breaching tools make it essential for enabling armored formations to advance through mined or fortified terrain.

Designed for heavy combat engineering tasks, the M1150 represents a generational leap in breaching capabilities compared to previous Australian platforms. It provides a dramatically improved combination of firepower, protection, and breaching speed. The MICLIC system can clear paths up to 100 meters long by detonating a line charge filled with high explosives, which neutralizes mines or IEDs in its path. Combined with the front plow, this allows the ABV to create safe corridors for follow-on forces, even under enemy fire. This capability is vital for defeating complex obstacle systems and minefields that would otherwise halt maneuver units during offensive operations.

For the Royal Australian Engineers, the ABV delivers a long-awaited return of under-armor breaching operations, a capacity last held with the now-retired Leopard Armoured Engineer Vehicles. The new platform offers not only far greater protection but also faster and more reliable breaching tools, enabling engineer units to support armored brigades in contested terrain with minimal risk to personnel. It also enhances the integration of engineer detachments into combat formations, making them indispensable partners during mechanized assaults or rapid exploitation missions.

This capability has long been absent in the Australian Army since the retirement of legacy armored engineer platforms. The introduction of the ABV, alongside the M1074 Joint Assault Bridge and M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles, forms the new Combat Engineering Vehicle (CEV) fleet, tailored to support armored maneuver elements. These acquisitions fall under a broader AU$3.5 billion investment aimed at enhancing the Army’s armored warfare effectiveness and ensuring force mobility in complex battlefields.

During May 2025, soldiers from the Royal Australian Engineers began the first block of operator training on the M1150 ABVs, focusing on system familiarity, breaching operations, and combined arms integration. The training was conducted in partnership with the School of Armour and marks the start of capability rollout across selected combat engineer regiments. The 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment is expected to be among the first units to field and operationalize the ABVs in support of armored combat teams.

With the fielding of the M1150 ABV, the Australian Army takes a critical step forward in force modernization, ensuring its engineering elements can keep pace with frontline armored units in contested environments. This platform delivers a decisive breaching capability, reinforcing the Army’s ability to maintain momentum during offensive operations and ensuring tactical dominance in mine-threatened or fortified areas. It is a strategic enhancement that strengthens the Army’s overall combat system and reaffirms the essential role of combat engineers in future warfare.