General Dynamics [GD] Land Systems unit yesterday said it has been awarded $187.5 million to convert 44 M1A1 and 40 M1A2 Abrams tanks to the Saudi M1A2 (M1A2S) configuration for Saudi Arabia.
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| Abrams M1A1 Photo General Dynamics |
The Foreign Military Sales contract was awarded by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command on behalf of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
This new contract continues work started in 2008 to update M1A1 and M1A2 tanks to the M1A2S configuration for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
General Dynamics received another contract modification in April (Defense Daily, April 3).
The M1A2S conversion increases the efficiency and capability of the tank.
The work will be performed by current employees at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of March 2015. The work is one of a number of international contracts that the Army counted to keep the production line moving, as the service wanted a production hiatus–fought tooth and nail by members of Congress and workers. Congress eventually provided $181 million the President’s budget did not request to support the industrial base and keep the production line open.