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Hey guys,
Last month the Australian Army decided to order 59 new Abrams main battle tanks from the US to replace the old Leopard 1's that they have been using for years. The Abrams was chosen over the British Challenger 2 and the German Leopard 2.
Now, I don't know much about armour so I'm just wondering what some of you guys think about this choice? And what are the pro's and con's of each MBT. Many people in Australia are suggesting that the decision was influenced by the close relationship the Howard government has with the Bush administration, but I don't really know enough about the machines in question to make a call like that. What do you guys think?

I think it's a curious number to purchase, unless they're equipping a regiment minus. In Canadian doctrine, an armoured regiment, when up to full strength, has 78 MBTs.

The Challenger 2 is probably the better tank of the two, but as America can afford to do a cut price deal on the tanks to get there foot in the door, then make up the difference over the years on the spares and and Ammunition.