The Australian Department of Defense has announced the start of the search for a supplier of simulators (Immersive Tactical Trainer) for M1A2 Abrams tanks. The request for quotation was published by the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) within the department.
The acquisition plan for the M1A2 tank simulators is part of the LAND 907 Phase 2 program. Australians are looking for a training system supplier that meets the requirements of Immersive Tactical Training and Procedural Gunnery Training. The devices are to enable the training of tank crews to Army Training Level 6.
Two subsets of simulators will be acquired. One of them will include Immersive Tactical Trainer - Fixed (ITT-F) devices enabling training of four tank crews. ITT-F is to be placed in the building. The second subset of the Immersive Tactical Trainer - Containerised (ITT-C) simulators concerns the delivery of three container sets. Each ITT-C set will have four containers, which will allow the simulation of four tank crews. ITT-C are to be placed in 20-foot ISO containers. Deliveries of simulators are to be made by the first quarter of 2024 for ITT-F and by the third quarter of 2024 for ITT-C.
The purchase of tank simulators will enable Australian Land Forces to reduce training costs while maintaining a high degree of realism and diversification of ongoing training projects.
Australians will acquire M1A2 tank simulators. This variant is currently not included in the armament of Australian ground troops. As part of the LAND 907 Phase 2 program, it is planned to upgrade the 59 M1A1 tanks to the M1A2 variant. M88A2 technical security vehicles will also be modernized to the M88A3 variant. The estimated budget for the implementation of the entire program will be USD 0.75-1 billion. The modernization is to be completed by 2025.
(Altair)