The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of Abrams Tank Refurbishment, Support, and Equipment, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.69 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on 20 December 2024.
The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale to refurbish and upgrade five hundred fifty-five (555) M1A1 Abrams tanks into M1A1SA configuration tanks. Included are five hundred fifty-five (555) AN/VAS- 5B Driver Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) Kits; five hundred fifty-five (555) Thermal Imaging System (TIS) Gunner's Sights; M250 Smoke Grenade Launchers; AGT-1500 tank engines; X-1100 tank transmissions; spare parts; support equipment; depot level support; Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE); repair parts; repair and return program; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $4.69 billion.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally country that continues to be an important strategic partner in the Middle East. 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. security partners.
This proposed sale will contribute to the modernization of Egypt’s main battle tank fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats. These tanks will contribute to Egypt's goal of updating its military capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces, as this program does not provide additional tanks and updating Egypt’s tanks to a common, modern configuration will reduce obsolescence and positively impact the logistics supply chain.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The M1A1SA tank contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan. Refurbishment and upgrade will take place at the Egyptian Tank Plant, Cairo, Egypt. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require semi-annual trips to Egypt involving up to twenty U.S. Government and twenty contractor representatives for a period of up to ten years to manage the refurbishment, fielding, and training for the program.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.
Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA); File Photo: Egyptian Army’s Abrams Tanks © Egyptian Ministry of Defense
