m1_abrams_main_battle_tank_Australian_Army_003

Photo taken by Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko

Caption:
An M1A1 Abrams Tank maneuvering over the ‘Fork Knife’ obstacle at the driver training area in Puckapunyal.

Deep Caption:
The M1A1 Abrams Tank will provide the Army with increased firepower, mobility and survivability for soldiers on the battlefield.

The M1A1 Abrams Tank will improve the modern Hardened and Networked Army capability by supporting a combined arms approach to operations- where aviation, armour, infantry, artillery and engineers work together to support and protect each other.

The first major shipment of 18 tanks and 5 armoured recovery vehicles occurred in September 2006 in Melbourne.

The remainder (41 tanks and 2 recovery vehicles) will be shipped to Darwin in March 2007.

The majority will be operated by the 1st Armoured Regiment in Darwin, with a smaller number to be allocated to training schools.