Months after signing a security pact with the US and UK amid heightened tensions with China, Australia has agreed to buy more than 120 tanks and other armoured vehicles from the United States, at a cost of $3.5 billion, as part of a major purchase to upgrade the Australian army’s fleet.
Despite focusing in recent years on other major acquisitions – such as submarines, jet fighters and long-range missiles – amid the rise of China, the purchase of 75 M1A2 main battle tanks indicates that Canberra is committed to an advanced fleet of armoured vehicles.
American tanks will replace the 59 Abrams M1A1s Australian army bought in 2007 but which have not seen any combat.
The US government approved the potential purchase last year and Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton will confirm it on Monday.
As part of the deal, the Australian army will also get 17 joint assault bridge vehicles, additional six armoured recovery vehicles and 29 assault breacher vehicles, which are used to clear mines and explosives.
Dutton noted that the new purchase will give Australian soldiers the best possibility of success and protection from harm and will incorporate the latest developments in Australian sovereign defence capabilities.
However, stressing that Australia has not deployed a tank in combat since the Vietnam War, some national security experts have ignited fierce debate in defence circles focused on the utility of the heavy armoured vehicles, arguing they would not be needed in a maritime and air conflict with a major power like China.
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s senior analyst Marcus Hellyer pointed that Canberra has obviously decided to maintain the ability to engage in close combat in urban environments as part of its counter-insurgency operations.
It is expected that Canberra will spend between $30 billion and $42 billion on armoured vehicles over the next couple of years.
Be the first to comment