M1A1 Abrams

Australian Army M1A1 AIM (SA) Abrams MBT

The new kid on the block for the Australian Army, as far as tanks go, is this Abrams M1A1 AIM (SA) main battle tank. M1A1 is the designation and model of the tank, it's an A1 version of the M1 Abrams. AIM indicates it is a used hull that has been taken back to zero track-hours through the Abrams Integrated Management refurbishment program. The (SA) indicates "Situational Awareness". The SA upgrade package includes new infra-red and long distance targetting gear and Blue Force tracking system, which helps identify friendly forces. These vehicles are the same spec as supplied to US fighting forces, so you are pretty much guaranteed they are the best tanks on the ground. This was the first time I had seen the new camo scheme applied and, I must say, it looks much better than the overall desert sand they were sporting prior.