Morocco Receives First Batch of Abrams Tanks

Morocco received yesterday (Sunday) at Casablanca’s port the first batch of the US-made M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, as part of an order of 250 similar armored tanks.

Last May, Moroccan media reported that the US will deliver to the Royal Armed Forces 22 Abrams this summer. The first convoy of this heavy armored tank was seen leaving Casablanca airport.

The $17.2 million contract was awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems and covers the upgrade and installation of situation awareness frontal armor packages.

The work will be carried out at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio, and the estimated completion date is 30 November 2016.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in June 2012 that Morocco had requested the possible sale of 200 surplus M1A1 tanks converted into the M1A1 Special Armor configuration along with associated weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

Designed for modern armored ground warfare, Abrams tanks is the main battle tank in the US Army and Marine Corps.