Heavy Tank Transporters Delivered Ahead of Time

Australian Defence Materiel Organisation, The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) is pleased to announce the delivery of the first three heavy tank transporters to the Australian Army today. This equipment is an important part of the new tank capability being delivered by the DMO. 
 
Brigadier Grant Cavenagh, Director General Land Manoeuvre Systems, took delivery of the vehicles at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland, at the conclusion of conversion training for Army drivers. Technical acceptance of the vehicles occurred in late July 2006 some 65 days ahead of schedule. 
 
The new equipment will allow the M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) main battle tanks and M88A2 HERCULES armoured recovery vehicles to be transported on Australian roads. 
 
These heavy tank transporters will meet the first Abrams tanks for the Australian Army due to arrive from the United States in September 2006. The transporters will go into service immediately delivering tanks and recovery vehicles to training establishments and operational units. 
 
Australian industry is providing a significant part of this capability. The prime contractor for the project is MAN Military Vehicle Systems Australia Pty Ltd. 
 
Drake Trailers Pty Ltd, an Australian-owned and operated Brisbane-based company, is manufacturing 14 swing-wing trailers. 
 
Brisbane-based MAN Automotive Imports Pty Ltd is making final modifications, conducting compliance testing, and will manage the ongoing repair and maintenance support.