Article Posted on : - Aug 16, 2011

The M1A2 Abrams MBT.

STERLING HEIGHTS (BNS): General Dynamics Land Systems has received a contract worth $42.4 million as part of Saudi Arabia’s Abrams main battle tanks upgradation programme.

The US defence firm has received the two separate contracts from the US Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command on behalf of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.

The contracts, valued at $12.6 million and $29.8 million, respectively, will provide materials and labour for the conversion of 102 M1A2 MBTs to M1A2S configuration.

The M1A2S conversion will increase the efficiency and capability of the tank.

The company will carry out the work at its Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio.

The estimated completion of 60 tanks is expected by August 30, 2012, and the remaining 42 tanks the following month, the company said.

This work is part of a plan by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to upgrade its entire fleet of 314 Abrams tanks.