U.S. Approves $4.69 Billion Upgrade of Egypt’s M1A1 Abrams Tanks into M1A1SA Configuration

The United States Department has approved an Egypt government request of Abrams Tank Refurbishment, Support, and Equipment  for an estimated cost of $4.69 billion.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale Friday.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of the following equipment to refurbish and upgrade 555 M1A1 Abrams tanks into M1A1SA configuration tanks. Included are 555 Driver Vision Enhanceer Kits; an equal number of Thermal Imaging Gunner's Sights; M250 Smoke Grenade Launchers; AGT-1500 tank engines; X-1100 tank transmissions among others.The estimated total program cost is $4.69 billion.

Egypt is the only country in the world, other than the United States, that produces the M1A1 Abrams. The Egyptian Refurbishment Program will significantly contribute to the flow of M1A1 components and parts from the United States, creating economies of scale and reducing overall unit price of scarce M1A1 parts for the Department of Defense and other U.S. customers of M1A1 tanks.

The M1A1SA tank contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, MI. Refurbishment and upgrade will take place at the Egyptian Tank Plant, Cairo, Egypt.