140 M1A1 SA tanks for Iraq At Last

[Almaleki]

18:15 GMT, March 11, 2009 STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. | General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contract worth $33 million to purchase long-lead materials for the production of 140 M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) tanks for the Iraq program.

The SA enhancements to the M1A1 for Iraq include a second generation FLIR thermal site, Tank Urban Survivability (TUSK) enhancements and a driver's vision-enhancing thermal viewer. The tanks will also be equipped with the TIGER engine, the Pulse Jet System, and embedded diagnostics. The TIGER engine has a monitoring system that is able to identify and alert the crew if there are potential issues with the tank.

The 140 tanks will be manufactured in Lima, Ohio, by existing General Dynamics employees.

Source : http://www.defpro.com/news/details/6092/

----

Related articles:

Iraq will receive tanks, boats and aircraft from U.S.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/202/

Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, Helicopters and Aircraft for Iraq
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/91/

U.S. and Iraqi representatives discuss M1A1 Tank proposal
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/6046/

Info About the Tanks Features ..:

1-Tank Urban Survivability Kit (TUSK)
The field-installed kit includes armor upgrades to the rear and bottom of the hull; an installation of slat armor to protect the engine compartment and use of appliqué reactive armor tiles to improve flank protection. A CROWS remote controlled weapon station (RWS) mounting a .50 caliber machine gun is replacing the commander's 0.5" cupola mounted heavy machine gun, enabling the commander to operate the weapon when "buttoned up" under closed hatches. RWS is provided only for M-1A2 TUSK sets. The M-1A1s will be fitted with a thermal sight coupled with remote- viewing and firing capability.

The TUSK kit includes a bolt on armored gun shield attached to the M240 (7.62mm) external machine gun, which will help to protect the loader when he is in the open-hatch firing position. When "buttoned up" the loader will be able to use the weapon from inside, aiming it via a thermal sight which projects the target image into a pair of goggles. A tank-infantry phone linked to the tank's intercom will also be added to improve connectivity with supporting forces.

On August 29, 2006 General Dynamics Land Systems received a US Army order for 505 Tank Urban Survivability Kits (TUSK) for Abrams main battle tanks supporting operations in Iraq, under a US$45 million contract. The add-on kit will be provided for M1A1 and M1A2-series tanks to enhance crew survivability in urban environments. The kit ordered by the Army consists of a Loader's Armor Gun Shield (LAGS), a Tank Infantry Phone (TIP), Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT), a Remote Thermal Sight (RTS) and a Power Distribution Box (PDB). Deliveries are expected to be complete by April 2009.

Under a separate order, the US Army awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP) US$30 million to produce reactive armor kits to equip M-1A2. The total contract value could reach $59 million if all contract options are exercised. The reactive tiles for the M-1 will be locally produced at GDATP's Burlington Technology Center. Tiles will be produced at the company's reactive armor facility in Stone County Operations, McHenry, Miss. On December 8th 2006 the U.S. Army added Counter Improvised Explosive Device enhancements to the M1A1 and M1A2 TUSK, awarding GDLS U.S. $11.3 million, part of the $59 million package mentioned above. In December GDLS also received an order amounting about 40% of a US$48 million order for loader's thermal weapon sights being part of the TUSK system improvements for the M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams Tanks.

Source : http://defense-update.com/products/t/tusk.htm

Images for the Tusk Kit :

http://defense-update.com/images/CITV.jpg
http://defense-update.com/images/slat-reactive-TUSK.jpg
http://defense-update.com/images/tusk-firing-stations.jpg

( I hope that the Men in the Forum bring info on : second generation FLIR thermal site , vision-enhancing thermal viewer , TIGER engine, the Pulse Jet System .

Some Pictures for the M1A1SA Aim in General :

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_001.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_002.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_003.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_004.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_005.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_006.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_007.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_008.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_009.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_010.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_011.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_012.jpg

http://jedsite.info/tanks-alpha/alpha/abrams_series/m1a1-aim-sa/m1a1aimsa_013.jpg

[Chino]

Isn't it dangerous to sell weapons to an unstable, erm.. Islamic state...?

Or am I just paranoid?

[Almaleki]

Isn't it dangerous to sell weapons to an unstable, erm.. Islamic state...?

Or am I just paranoid?

paranoid

Iam Iraqi ,, and what do you mean By Islamic State ??

[Almaleki]

I am Muslim I cant see anything Bad in mu culture its Just Like You have its Rules ... Not like we are terrisom NOW ...

[Waylander]

Can't be that bad with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (and Australia...:D) already having them... ;)

What should happen?
They cannot get any dangerous secrets out of it (which are not already compromised anyway).
And if the US ever decides to go in again the Abrams are not going to be safe from Maveriks, Hellfires and LGBs.

[Tavarisch]

Isn't it dangerous to sell weapons to an unstable, erm.. Islamic state...?

Or am I just paranoid?

Don't stereotype Muslims. We get enough of that from an entirely biased mass-media which only emphasizes on the small 1% of retard shits in Islam.

The good Muslims like Cat Stevens and other folk are usually left out to maintain the image of Muslims being so severely crazy.

I'm a Muslim, yet you don't see me running around on a T-72 blowing shit up now do you?

Anyways, I guess this is good for Iraq. Hopefully, the crewmen will be able to operate them better than they did with their pitiful T-72Ms.

[eckherl]

To all,

The tiger engine is at the present time a overhaul system in place for the AGT1500 engine currently be fielded on the M1 series vehicles. We call it Total integrated engine revitalization program. This will consist of better logistical support and engine components from Honeywell, we currently are getting approximately 700 hours out of each engine and with the new program in place we should more than double the operating hours, some of our allies have also signed on to this new deal as what can be seen inregards to Iraq who will also benefit from this program. Overhaul and support is the first phase with the second phase hopefully being that we will replace the AGT1500 with the new LV100-5, this is a outstanding engine pact that operates on 40% less engine parts, improve on reduction of fuel loss when engine is at idle by as much as 50% thus giving us a additional approximate 70 miles per tank operating range. The engine swap will not cause alot of modifications to the current engine pact bay configuration. Our new tiger program will extend the use of M1 series currently in U.S inventory by at least the year 2027.

I should also point out that the Australian tank is different in some areas over other M1 series users.

[Almaleki]

Don't stereotype Muslims. We get enough of that from an entirely biased mass-media which only emphasizes on the small 1% of retard shits in Islam.

The good Muslims like Cat Stevens and other folk are usually left out to maintain the image of Muslims being so severely crazy.

I'm a Muslim, yet you don't see me running around on a T-72 blowing shit up now do you?

Anyways, I guess this is good for Iraq. Hopefully, the crewmen will be able to operate them better than they did with their pitiful T-72Ms.

they think that The Islam is Jihad Company for God Damn

[Chino]

they think that The Islam is Jihad Company for God Damn

OK.

Please point out the part of my sentence in which I have offended Islam. If you can't, please stop acting like a drama queen. :rolleyes:

I was talking about Iraq - your country - SPECIFICALLY. And NOT the whole Islamic world. Get it?

My describing Iraq as an "Islamic state" is incorrect, so I take that back with apologies.

The other part of my statement describes Iraq as "unstable". Is that also incorrect?

Unless you have a very different interpretation of the word "unstable" (or a very elastic tolerance) I would say that Iraq is still a very unstable country. No?

If I were to rephrase my sentence, it would read:

"Isn't it dangerous to sell weapons to an unstable country with lots of armed Islamic Jihadist insurgents running around...? Or am I just paranoid?"

EDIT: I just realised I was replying to a member already banned.

[Chino]

Don't stereotype Muslims. We get enough of that from an entirely biased mass-media which only emphasizes on the small 1% of retard shits in Islam.

Good point and I understand because I, too, am from a often stereotyped group - Chinese.

But again, please show me where I stereotyped ALL Muslims when I was only talking about the instability of Iraq?

I didn't say Muslim/Iraqis were "blowing up sh1ts" - YOU did.

[Chino]

Can't be that bad with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt (and Australia...:D) already having them... ;)

What should happen?
They cannot get any dangerous secrets out of it (which are not already compromised anyway).
And if the US ever decides to go in again the Abrams are not going to be safe from Maveriks, Hellfires and LGBs.

Why not save the Mavericks and Hellfires etc by NOT selling them the Abrams in the first place?

Am I the only one whom has doubts if the new Iraqi government can survive the departure of US troops?

After the Russians withdrew from Afghanistan and the expected collapse of the Russian-backed (and armed) Kabul government, didn't all the tanks and weapons ended with the Talibans? or was I mistaken?

[Marc 1]

Am I the only one whom has doubts if the new Iraqi government can survive the departure of US troops?
?


They won't survive if the US leaves them defenceless with Iran across the border.

[Chino]

They won't survive if the US leaves them defenceless with Iran across the border.

That's one way of looking at it.

But this means you cannot stop at just selling them M1A1s. You would have to re-equip their entire military including navy and air force.

Do you really want to sell a previously hostile nation - with a young, unstable and inexperienced government - F16s etc?

The more sensible way is to guarantee its sovereignty against foreign invasion. Leave the Iraqi military well-equipped enough to deal with the insurgents. But if say Iran invades, US will come to its aid.

I mentioned Afghanistan where everything went belly-up with the Taliban eventually taking over all the Russian-supplied equipment. Do you feel that such a scenario is too remote for Iraq?

[eckherl]

Why not save the Mavericks and Hellfires etc by NOT selling them the Abrams in the first place?

Am I the only one whom has doubts if the new Iraqi government can survive the departure of US troops?

After the Russians withdrew from Afghanistan and the expected collapse of the Russian-backed (and armed) Kabul government, didn't all the tanks and weapons ended with the Talibans? or was I mistaken?

The technology going into this deal is not a show stopper if they were to eventually fall into the wrong hands, if not the M1 series they will go for something different, maybe with the likes of Leclercs which the French government will sell just to name one tank supplier more than willing to give them vehicles.

[OPSSG]

EDIT: I just realised I was replying to a member already banned.

Thank goodness you realised.... Growing old eh friend (BTW, Almaleki is away on holiday from posting for 1 month)? :onfloorl:

IMHO, since the fall of the Shah, everybody now knows that you can't hope to share power with a fundamentalist group. Save for Gaza (which exist in a different space time continuum and due to special local conditions), most 'peoples' (even countries with Muslim majorities) are not so keen to support these fundamentalist groups... Hence, I' not so worried about Iraq becoming an 'Islamic' state. But I am worried that the insurgency will carry on and on. In that case, not to sell tanks to give the Iraqi army the necessary tools to fight the insurgency is also a problem...

[DavidDCM]

I think even after the withdrawal the US would not accept the Iraq falling into the hands of extremist groups. They sunk billions of dollars into this country and wont watch it going all nuts. The Taliban could only come to power in Afghanistan because absolutely no one cared for what was going on there after the end of cold war.

[Chino]

Actually, no one has actually verified if I was wrong about the Iraqi government and that they are actually doing a good job, popular etc.

Are they...?

( My news update here in China is not the most current...:) )

I am of the impression that there are many armed insurgents out there lying low just waiting for the US to depart, so that they can topple the infidel-created government.

If the US continue to underwrite Iraq's security after withdrawal, then Iraq need not fear foreign invasion. So all Iraq has to deal with are insurgents. And you don't need M1A1 to fight insurgency.

But if Iraq can't even handle the insurgency on its own, as so many other previous weak puppet governments has shown, then any surviving tanks will surely fall into enemy hands.

Whether or not they contain technology is not the issue. It's just preventing weaponry falling into enemy hands.

But I also agree it is a chicken/egg situation. If you don't even show a gesture of confidence (by selling the M1A1s to Iraq) before withdrawal, there surely there is no hope.

[Chino]

The Taliban could only come to power in Afghanistan because absolutely no one cared for what was going on there after the end of cold war.

That an Islamic government is the end result of a successful armed Islamic-inspired rebellion is inevitable.

That the Islamic government turned out to be a really bad one like the Taliban is unfortunate.

I don't think democracy is workable for Afghanistan yet. It would be more sensible to try and set up a moderate Islamic government in Afghanistan.

[Marc 1]

Chino,

No idea as to the popularity of the Iraqi gov't - but wasn't Al Malaki a US assisted appointment? I'm guessing hes accepted if not loved.

Just heard that the US just shot down north of Baghdad an Iranian UAV. Tends to add to what I was suggesting earlier that Iran probably can't wait for the US troops to go. IIRC I remember hearing somewhere that one of the branches of the Iraqi security services is basically entirely composed of Iranian sympathysers...That won't help.

[Chino]

Chino,

No idea as to the popularity of the Iraqi gov't - but wasn't Al Malaki a US assisted appointment? I'm guessing hes accepted if not loved.

Just heard that the US just shot down north of Baghdad an Iranian UAV. Tends to add to what I was suggesting earlier that Iran probably can't wait for the US troops to go. IIRC I remember hearing somewhere that one of the branches of the Iraqi security services is basically entirely composed of Iranian sympathysers...That won't help.

There is a prevailing mood that the insurgency in Iraq is petering out.

Any opinions?

[Marc 1]

There is a prevailing mood that the insurgency in Iraq is petering out.

Any opinions?

Yep, the threat I'm talking about (Iran) is external to Iraq's borders. It is thought that Iran was pulling a lot of the strings in the Iraqi insurgency - my guess is they are letting things quiet down and become 'safe' so that the US will withdraw their forces (makes Obama look good and they need to redeploy them to Afghanistan). Then Iran can roll across the border in a conventional assault or to try to stop sunni's being slaughtered in some kind of Iranian engineered conflict (that would give them an excuse).

[Chino]

...my guess is they are letting things quiet down and become 'safe' so that the US will withdraw their forces .... Then Iran can roll across the border in a conventional assault

My thoughts, too.

Though I doubt Iran will officially invade Iraq and give the infidels a chance to go and create hell in Iran.

[Almaleki]

OK.

Please point out the part of my sentence in which I have offended Islam. If you can't, please stop acting like a drama queen. :rolleyes:

I was talking about Iraq - your country - SPECIFICALLY. And NOT the whole Islamic world. Get it?

My describing Iraq as an "Islamic state" is incorrect, so I take that back with apologies.

The other part of my statement describes Iraq as "unstable". Is that also incorrect?

Unless you have a very different interpretation of the word "unstable" (or a very elastic tolerance) I would say that Iraq is still a very unstable country. No?

If I were to rephrase my sentence, it would read:

"Isn't it dangerous to sell weapons to an unstable country with lots of armed Islamic Jihadist insurgents running around...? Or am I just paranoid?"

EDIT: I just realised I was replying to a member already banned.

you see in the Arabic world or the Islamic world there is only one Islamic state which is from France to China ,, and as is see the Map iraq is within you said Islamic State what is the Diff, between Iraq and Iran or Saudi Arabia we are the same ,, i wont go again or take other Ban to grow up ,, the religious people now are massacred and they tell them go grow up !!

and Yeah it is " incorrect " ,, Iraq is not alike China Has Newly democratic Starting the Army cant come and Kill you or Arrest you without telling you why !!! and even if it is not stable then thats mean that we need Us Equipment ,, cuz you liberated us in the first Place ,, and dont think that we buy just from US ,, the Defence Minister of Iraq saw the Tiger Helos and the Sea Panther and Some Anti Air and Anti Armor Missiles Launchers and The French Tank Leclerc ,, we could buy from anywhere so dont be paranoid ....

[WebMaster]

Folks,

Please stay away from political and religious commentary. DO NOT police the threads, if you feel there is a problem with certain posts, REPORT (buttons under the username) those posts and we will review it.

Thank you and enjoy!

[Almaleki]

They won't survive if the US leaves them defenceless with Iran across the border.

USAF will stay until 2015 i though but in Ground our forces is good if we exercised the incoming buy of M-1A1 that will be 420 Tank and with the 172 Tank T-72 and the other being refrub thats good ?

[Almaleki]

My thoughts, too.

Though I doubt Iran will officially invade Iraq and give the infidels a chance to go and create hell in Iran.


look we have advantages on Iran our Operational Ability will be in 2013 Corp Level like Turkey And US ....

if the M-1 comes we will have advantage on Zuilfaqar-1 and -2 but -3 is the same as Abrams so we need Numbers ,,

[Marc 1]

USAF will stay until 2015 i though but in Ground our forces is good if we exercised the incoming buy of M-1A1 that will be 420 Tank and with the 172 Tank T-72 and the other being refrub thats good ?

That was my point - I don't have a problem with Iraq being equipped with M1's - its good for their own defence.

[Feanor]

look we have advantages on Iran our Operational Ability will be in 2013 Corp Level like Turkey And US ....

if the M-1 comes we will have advantage on Zuilfaqar-1 and -2 but -3 is the same as Abrams so we need Numbers ,,

Where does your info on the Zulfiqar come from?

[Almaleki]

Iranian And Arabic Forums ,, they say its modified from M60A3-120 ( the Amerian Modify ) and some Armor Plates with Laser And Heat designators ,, Almost an M1A1 as they say ,,,
these are pictures for the Tank from Arabic Forums :

Zuilfaqar-1 :

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Zulfiqar-1_MBT.jpg

http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/zulfiqr.jpg

this Tank is Modified from T-55 and M48

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Beautiful_Zulfiqar-1.jpg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuilfaqar-2 :

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic2.jpg

modified from T-72M and M60A1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zuilfaqar-3

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic2.jpg

Modified as Iranians Say from M1A1 , T72 and M60

[Tavarisch]

Iranian And Arabic Forums ,, they say its modified from M60A3-120 ( the Amerian Modify ) and some Armor Plates with Laser And Heat designators ,, Almost an M1A1 as they say ,,,
these are pictures for the Tank from Arabic Forums :

Zuilfaqar-1 :

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Zulfiqar-1_MBT.jpg

http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/zulfiqr.jpg

this Tank is Modified from T-55 and M48

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Beautiful_Zulfiqar-1.jpg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuilfaqar-2 :

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic2.jpg

modified from T-72M and M60A1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zuilfaqar-3

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic2.jpg

Modified as Iranians Say from M1A1 , T72 and M60

Edit : Whoops, didn't read carefully.

[Feanor]

So your info comes from another forum.... not the most reputable of sources. Where would the Iranians have an M1A1 to modify? Sounds like garbage to me. I can see mods of T-72s, M-48s and M-60s. But I doubt anything particularly advanced came from those.

[Almaleki]

Well , I think they Meant the Same ability as An M1A1

[Feanor]

I'm wondering how they were able to compare? In order to compare they would need actual info on the Zulfiqar 3. Can you ask them to provide that info (and their source)?

[Tavarisch]

I'm wondering how they were able to compare? In order to compare they would need actual info on the Zulfiqar 3. Can you ask them to provide that info (and their source)?

Wikipedia says that it is essentially either a Patton with a 125mm gun in a box turret that's auto-loaded. I guess they can compare in a sense that both guns are capable of mashing armor.

[Feanor]

There are three tanks here that we're talking about. Zulfiqar 1, 2, and 3. Almaleki said that there are significant differences between them. I'm curious as to what those differences are.

[StevoJH]

There are three tanks here that we're talking about. Zulfiqar 1, 2, and 3. Almaleki said that there are significant differences between them. I'm curious as to what those differences are.

There are external links to images of the #1 and #3 on the wikipedia page. I've uploaded them to this post, hopefully they are of what they say they are. From the images i'm assuming 03 and 04 are the # and 05 is the #1. Wiki says two was a technology demonstrater. I know wiki isnt the best image source, but it will have to do till we find a more accurate one.

[Almaleki]

Well that is their Analysis not mine ,,,

[eckherl]

Iranian And Arabic Forums ,, they say its modified from M60A3-120 ( the Amerian Modify ) and some Armor Plates with Laser And Heat designators ,, Almost an M1A1 as they say ,,,
these are pictures for the Tank from Arabic Forums :

Zuilfaqar-1 :

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Zulfiqar-1_MBT.jpg

http://mainbattletanks.czweb.org/Tanky/zulfiqr.jpg

this Tank is Modified from T-55 and M48

http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/data/4699/medium/Beautiful_Zulfiqar-1.jpg
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zuilfaqar-2 :

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar2-pic2.jpg

modified from T-72M and M60A1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zuilfaqar-3

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic1.jpg

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/images/zolfaghar3-pic2.jpg

Modified as Iranians Say from M1A1 , T72 and M60

No, Zuilfaqar is not even close to being a M1A1, technology for the Z series comes from China as far as armor protection and FCS, the Z3 is not even close to being fielded at this time, what you see in the parades are just some test bed vehicles for propaganda purposes.

[Almaleki]

eckrel ,, i sure hope so ... cuz we want their tanks to even not move if we have war with them

[F-15 Eagle]

eckrel ,, i sure hope so ... cuz we want their tanks to even not move if we have war with them

I would not consider them a threat since we built the tanks then we know how to destroy them in war.

[Almaleki]

well ,, i am Iraqi ... i dont think that US is going to give me Top-secret info on M1A1s !!!

[Waylander]

For sure the US knows how to destroy them.
Just like how they plan to destroy any other modern tank out there in a shooting war.

I very much doubt that the US implemented some secret "blow up trigger" into their export Abrams which is controlled by a big red buzzer in the Pentagon...

[DavidDCM]

I would not consider them a threat since we built the tanks then we know how to destroy them in war.

The Iranian Zulfiqar tanks are indigenous designs, probably with a lot of help from their Chinese friends. So unless you are a Chinese or Iranian you can not say that "we" built these tanks. :D

But well, most has been said about those Zulfiqars. The latest version Zulfiqar 3 has never left the flatbed truck in public so as far as today we don't have a proof they are able to drive on their own at all. Let alone the state of development of their fire control system and so on.

[Almaleki]

Thx All ...

Zuilfaqar-3 ( they say it is Operational ) but as i know that could not Put the T-72 Fire Contral System in the Frame of the Tank !!!

[eckherl]

Thx All ...

Zuilfaqar-3 ( they say it is Operational ) but as i know that could not Put the T-72 Fire Contral System in the Frame of the Tank !!!

They have a couple of proto types for testing purposes but so far the emphasis has been the T-72 series for upgrades and new builds which now they do have the resources to do.

The Fire control more than likely is the same as Chinese Type 98.

[F-15 Eagle]

The Iranian Zulfiqar tanks are indigenous designs, probably with a lot of help from their Chinese friends. So unless you are a Chinese or Iranian you can not say that "we" built these tanks. :D

But well, most has been said about those Zulfiqars. The latest version Zulfiqar 3 has never left the flatbed truck in public so as far as today we don't have a proof they are able to drive on their own at all. Let alone the state of development of their fire control system and so on.

I'm talking about the M1A1's not about the ones you have listed.

[F-15 Eagle]

For sure the US knows how to destroy them.
Just like how they plan to destroy any other modern tank out there in a shooting war.

I very much doubt that the US implemented some secret "blow up trigger" into their export Abrams which is controlled by a big red buzzer in the Pentagon...

I'm not saying we put in a "secrete blow up trigger" but since we designed the M1 tank we know the strengths and weaknesses of if and how to take it out if the need ever arises.

[Waylander]

Sure the US knows the Abrams in and out but in a combat environment this won't be of much use for the troops actually having to deal with them.

Troops in the field won't have the luxury to aim for the one bolt that might be a weak point in the frontal area or any other possible weak point. If anybody even tells them that.

The tank killer units in the US are going to try to kill enemy Abrams just like they try to kill any other modern enemy MBT.
Try to get as many as possible with Maveriks, Hellfires and LGBs before they reach the frontline. Try to disrupt their log support.
Go for the flanks and rear when one uses direkt fire weapons or use top attack munition like Javelin and TOW IIB for ATGM ambushes.
Nothing magically with this and just like anybody else should fight against modern MBTs.

The biggest question for the Iraqis during a conflict with Saudi Arabia would be if the Saudis are able to fully exploit the capabilities of their equipment and if they are able to keep it in the field and manned.
If yes they might very well pose a serious threat to the Iraqi armed forces if the US doesn't come to the help of the Iraqis.

[DavidDCM]

I'm talking about the M1A1's not about the ones you have listed.

But your post was a direct response to almaleki's post who talked about Iranian tanks ;)

[Almaleki]

okay i think i got it ,, i think it is Abrams there is a pictures for An Abrams in Najaf i saw before which looks like not shot Badliy ... and Najaf is Shia State and more of that Iraq gave its whole Airforce to Iran ... maybe that Tank went to Iran ... who knows !!! i saw the picture in Defense link Gallery i will look for it ..

[Almaleki]

This :

M1-A1 Abrams- Main Battle Tank - Military Pictures - Air Force Army Navy Missiles Defense (http://www.defencetalk.com/pictures/showphoto.php/photo/1356)

it looks for me intact ...

[eckherl]

The Iranians do not have a captured M1A1 tank period, and they most likely are not concerned that Iraq is starting to field them. I think at this point Iraq has more pressing needs along with major armed force branch structuring and Iran knows this.

[Welburn75]

My thoughts are that foreign lands(of any caliber in alliance) should be sold lower quality equipment to the one you yourself poses, therefore if in the future you have to take action you have an advantage -- this should be taken more then with a pinch of salt in such a volatile region