Australia to invest $3.5bn in army tank and vehicle upgrade

Defence Minister Peter Dutton unveiled the $3.5bn investment in the nation’s defence fleet on Monday.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Picture: Gary Ramage

Australia will buy 127 army tanks and combat vehicles from the US as part of a $3.5bn investment in the nation’s defence fleet.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton unveiled the spending boost on Monday. The federal government will purchase 75 M1A2 Abrams tanks, 29 M1150 assault breacher vehicles, 17 joint assault bridge vehicles and six armoured recovery vehicles.

Mr Dutton said these would help bolster protection for Australian defence personnel. “The M1A2 Abrams will incorporate the latest developments in Australian sovereign defence capabilities, including command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems, and benefit from the intended manufacture of tank ammunition in Australia,” he said.

“Introduction of the new M1A2 vehicles will take advantage of existing support infrastructure, with significant invest­ment in Australian industry continuing in the areas of sustainment, simulation and training.”

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr said the tanks and engineering vehicles were vital for Australia’s ability to integrate with coalition forces. “The main battle tank is at the core of the ADF’s Combined Arms Fighting System, which includes infantry, artillery, communi­cations, engineers, attack helicopters and logistics,” he said.

“Because of their versatility, tanks can be used in a wide range of scenarios, environments and levels of conflict in the region.

“This system is the only part of the ADF that can successfully operate in medium to high-threat land environments.

“There are no other current or emerging technologies – or combination of technologies – that can yet deliver the capability ­currently provided by a main ­battle tank.”

The first vehicles will arrive in Australia in 2024 and be operational by the following year.