Amid China-Australia tensions, the US State Department has given its approval to a proposed plan to sell approximately $1.685 billion worth of heavy armored combat systems, including Abrams tanks and other armored vehicles, to the Australian military.
The proposed sale, which has been sent to Congress for further approval, includes 160 M1A1 Tank structures that will be used to produce 75 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, in addition to 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles, 18 M1074 Joint Assault Bridges, six M88A2 Hercules Combat Recovery Vehicles, and 122 AGT1500 gas turbine engines.
Australia; Army orders 75 M1A2SEPv3 tanks from US