Egypt approved for $4.7 billion upgrade of its Abrams main battle tanks
The upgrade to M1A1SA includes better sighting, vision system, engine and transmission. (Photo: US Army)
The approval is for the upgrade of 555 of Egypt’s M1A1 Abrams tanks into M1A1SA configuration.
The US State Department has approved a request from Egypt to upgrade 555 of its General Dynamics Land Systems M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks into M1A1SA configuration under a deal which could be worth as much as US$4.7 billion.
Notification of the Foreign Military Sale approval was sent to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the former will still need to approve the sale.
The deal is for 555 sets each of Night Vision Technology Solutions AN/VAS- 5B Driver Vision Enhancer (DVE-A) kits and thermal imaging system gunner’s sights. The request also includes M250 smoke grenade launchers, AGT-1500 tank engines, X-1100 tank transmissions, spare parts, support equipment and government-furnished equipment.
Shephard Defence Insight noted that the Egyptian Army operates a vast number of MBTs, including 1,130 M1A1s assembled in fits and starts between 1984 and 2019, as well as substantial numbers of legacy Soviet T-54, T-55 and T-62s and US M60s.
The older MBTs in Egypt’s inventory had been projected to reach the end of their useful service life in the 2020s but this upgrade extends the life of the first M1A1s which rolled out of the factory four decades ago and is a substantial boost in capability.
At a time of high demand for MBTs the life extension allows Egypt to look forward to the next generation of MBTs which may be available beyond 2030.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)
At SOF Week 2026, Pro-Shot Defense discusses the maintenance technologies and weapon support tools designed to keep special operations forces mission ready in the world’s harshest environments.
-
Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs
Stockholm is exploring commercial avenues to provide a small uncrewed ground vehicle capable of carrying 500kg with a focus on challenging terrains and C2 systems.
-
Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?
As uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions evolve, it is increasingly necessary for counter-uncrewed solutions to keep pace in order to protect not only military facilities and platforms but also dismounted troops.
-
NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows
One goal of NATO’s Exercise Crystal Arrow was to identify the potential uses of uncrewed ground vehicles – as seen on the Ukrainian battlefield – and put platforms into the hands of users.
-
SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet
Galvion has introduced its Cortex Evo integrated head system, combining ballistic protection, power, data and processing capabilities within a single combat helmet architecture.
