Oshkosh to Supply Heavy Equipment Transporter Systems to Morocco

Oshkosh Defense has received a direct commercial sales order to provide Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1 tractors and 635NL trailers to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces through Optimum Vehicle Logistics, LLC.

The HET A1 tractor is designed to transport heavy mission-critical equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, and recovery vehicles, providing line haul, local haul, and maintenance evacuation capabilities. The HET A1 tractors and trailers will be used to support the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces' M1 Abrams tank fleet. These transport systems are specifically designed to haul heavy equipment, including tanks like the M1 Abrams, aiding in Morocco's efforts to modernize and enhance the mobility and operational capabilities of its armored units.

The delivery of the HET A1 systems is expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

In December 2023, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) received their first shipment of U.S.-made M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams battle tanks. As of 2022, Morocco had 656 main battle tanks, including 222 M1A1 SA Abrams.

Morocco's tank acquisitions began in 2012 with a $1 billion purchase of 200 M1A1 Abrams tanks, followed by a 2018 order for 162 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks, costing approximately $1.259 billion.

The M1A2 SEPv3 features upgrades such as Ammunition DataLink (ADL), improved 120mm ammunition, an enhanced forward-looking infrared system (IFLIR), and the low-profile remotely operated CROWS system. Its armament includes a 120mm smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7mm machine gun on the CROWS. The tank's armor, combined with Rafael’s optional Trophy Active Protection System, offers protection against various threats, including IEDs. Powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, it can reach speeds of up to 68 km/h.