The M1 Abrams tank first proved itself during the 1991 Persian Gulf War when it decimated Saddam Hussein’s armored forces.
When one thinks of the United States of America’s foreign military sales to ally Australia, the first things that may come to mind are the AUKUS submarine pact for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the F-35 fighter jet sales to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
However, the Australian Army is receiving its fair share of U.S. military armaments as well. In fact, last month, the Australian Army acquired the latest and greatest version of the time-honored M1 Abrams main battle tank (MBT).
Australia Gets Its Hands on the M1 Abrams
The news comes to us from a May 2, 2025, article on the Army Recognition website titled “Australia’s Army Boosts Armored Power with Activation of Second U.S.-made M1A2 SEPv3 Tank Squadron.” To wit:
“On April 23, 2025, the Australian Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2 CAV) celebrated a pivotal milestone in its modernization and structural reform efforts with the official inauguration of D Squadron during a formal ceremony held at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland. This newly raised squadron is notably the first and only unit in the Australian Defence Force to operate the U.S.-made M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tank—currently the most advanced and lethal armored vehicle fielded by the Australian Army.”
The article also states the following:
“This development follows a landmark Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement signed in January 2022 between Australia and the United States. Under this AUD 3.5 billion (approximately USD 2.5 billion) deal, Australia is acquiring 75 U.S. M1A2 SEPv3 tanks to replace its older fleet of M1A1 Abrams. The contract also includes a range of supporting armored vehicles, namely 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles [ABVs], 17 M1074 Joint Assault Bridge Vehicles, and six M88A2 Armored Recovery Vehicles. The acquisition forms a cornerstone of Australia’s broader strategy to modernize its heavy armor capabilities and better align its defense infrastructure with evolving operational requirements in the Indo-Pacific region.”
What Makes This Abrams Variant So Special?
Designed by Chrysler Defense (now General Dynamics Land Systems) between 1972 and 1976 and officially entering operational service with the U.S. Army in 1980, the M1 Abrams tank first proved its worth in dramatic fashion during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, aka Operation Desert Storm—particularly during the epic Battle of 73 Easting—whereupon the Abrams utterly annihilated the hopelessly overmatched Soviet-designed T-55, T-62, and T-72 MBTs of then-Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, though tanks today are considered more vulnerable than ever due to the proliferation of killer drones and sophisticated ground-based antitank weapons alike in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Abrams is still providing valuable service to the Ukrainian Army.
The SEPv3 improves upon older variants of the Abrams thusly:
- Inclusion of an independent thermal viewer for the commander, allowing for true hunter-killer capability by enabling target acquisition and engagement while on the move.
- Integration of the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS), which provides a remotely-controlled version of the M2 “Ma Deuce” .50 caliber machine gun, significantly enhancing crew survivability and firepower.
- An upgraded fire control system.
- Improved line-replaceable modules for easier and faster maintenance.
- A new power generation system designed to accommodate future technologies such as directed energy weapons and advanced sensors.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment has a proud history. Formed in 1965 as the “1st Cavalry Regiment” and redesignated as the “2nd Cavalry Regiment” in 1970, it is the second-most senior regiment in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. In 1967, the regiment adopted the emblem/mascot of a wedge-tailed eagle swooping, carrying a lance bearing the motto “courage” in its talons. The regimental birthday is celebrated on November 20.
The unit has dual quick march anthems that will also sound familiar to American military veterans and history buffs alike: “Garry Owen,” which was originally an Irish drinking song and then adopted by the U.S. Army 7th Cavalry Regiment, and “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” which is arguably tied with “Yankee Doodle” as the most famous tune of the American Revolution.
About the Author: Christian D. Orr
Christian D. Orr was previously a Senior Defense Editor for National Security Journal (NSJ) and 19FortyFive. He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He has also been published in The Daily Torch, The Journal of Intelligence and Cyber Security, and Simple Flying. Last but not least, he is a Companion of the Order of the Naval Order of the United States (NOUS). If you’d like to pick his brain further, you can ofttimes find him at the Old Virginia Tobacco Company (OVTC) lounge in Manassas, Virginia, partaking of fine stogies and good quality human camaraderie.
Image: Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock.com
