General Dynamics, a major defence industry contractor, has won a $45 million contract as part of the Egyptian M1A1 Abrams tank co-production programme.

The contract to General Dynamics Land Systems was awarded by the US TACOM Lifecycle Management Command.

The contract includes manufacturing technical assistance on M1A1 Abrams tanks at the Egyptian tank plant and the supply of component equipment such as tools, gauges, fixtures and machines.

The tanks meant for the Egyptian land forces will be manufactured at a production facility near Cairo.

Work on the components will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, US, scheduled for completion in December 2012.

The award is in support of the tenth increment of the Egyptian co-production programme.