Saudi Arabia is expecting 153 M1A1/A2 tank structures, which will be turned into 133 Saudi-specification M1A2S main battle tanks. Twenty additional tanks will replace those from the Saudis fleet that were lost in combat, possibly against Yemen. The tank sale also comes with M88A1/A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) think of that like a tow truck for tanks along with additional equipment, training, and support, according to the State Department. That tallies up to around $1.5 billion.
The M1A2 is an improvement on the M1A1, and a significant exterior change from the original includes the re-designed Commanders Weapon Station (CWS). Heres some of whats on the inside, per military.com:
Most notable of these improvements is the addition of the Inter-Vehicle Information System (IVIS.) The IVIS system allows for the automatic and continual exchange of information between vehicles. By incorporating information provided by an on board Position/Navigation (POSNAV) system, unit commanders can track the location and progress of subordinate elements automatically, without tasking vehicle crews. In addition enemy positions can be identified, plotted and disseminated, while reports and artillery requests can be automatically formatted, transmitted, and processed. Lastly, map graphic control measures and operational orders can be rapidly distributed via the IVIS system.
The M1A2 is arguably one of the the most sophisticated tanks the world, and its much more advanced than Irans Karrar, thats for sure.
