GD to Support Saudi Tank Programme

GD Land Systems has been awarded two contracts by the US Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command for work on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s tank programme.

The $44m contracts are part of a plan by Saudi Arabia to upgrade its entire fleet of 314 tanks of the Royal Saudi Land Forces.

Under the first contract worth $37.1m, GD will provide materials and labour for the conversion of 42 M1A2 tanks to M1A2S configuration to increase lethality while limiting obsolescence.

The $6.9m second contract involves providing tools and equipment needed to outfit a production facility in Saudi Arabia for future conversion of M1A2 tanks to the M1A2S version.

Work under the first contract will be performed at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, US, and is expected to be complete by 20 September 2012.

Work on the second contract will be carried out at the company’s facility in Michigan, and is slated to be completed by 1 August 2012.