Congressional Letter on Abrams Tank Program

Congressional Letter on Abrams Tank Program
06:14 GMT, May 17, 2011

Members of the House of Representatives have sent a letter to the U.S. Army Secretary urging the continuation of the Abrams main battle tank production line. Representative Sander Levin (D-Mich.), along with nearly a third of the entire U.S. House membership, is battling an Army plan to halt production of the Abrams tank. The program is run by General Dynamics Land Systems based in Sterling Heights and has been considered a cornerstone of Michigan's defense industrial base for 30 years. The Pentagon has proposed halting tank production in 2013 and restarting tank production in 2017. Levin and Republican Congressman Mike Rogers of Alabama spearheaded a letter signed by 135 other members that cautions Army Secretary John McHugh that halting production "could end up costing more in the long run and result in lost capacity and readiness." They urged continuation of the program - at least on a limited basis - during the intervening period. The Army plan would result in the first break in tank production since 1941.
"The cost of shutdown and restart of Abrams tank production appears to be more than the cost of continued limited production," the letter said. "Instead of reconstituting this vital manufacturing capability at a higher cost, it would seem prudent to invest these select resources in continued Abrams production." As an alternative to shutting down the tank upgrade program completely, the lawmakers suggest continuing limited production of M1A2 SEP tanks at 70 per year. "The tank industrial base is not a light switch that can just be switched on and off at will," Rep. Levin said. "Everyone needs to understand that it will take time and money to get this capability back if we let it go." Over the last two years, a total of 224 Michigan suppliers and subcontractors were involved in the tank upgrade program and received a total of $187 million in Abrams work. "Allowing the Abrams production capability to decay will inhibit the nation's ability to maintain the most modern fighting force in the world and to support the combat vehicle programs of our international allies," said Pete Keating of General Dynamics, adding that a halt in production will jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs that support the Army's future tank program and more than 560 businesses across the country.
Congressional supporters of the tank upgrade program hope that their letter to Secretary McHugh also receives attention from their colleagues in the House of Representatives. Ultimately, Congress will make the decision as to whether the tank refit program will be continued.
The House Armed Services Committee, during its markup of the 2012 Defense Authorization bill, added $425 million to continue the production line for the M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley fighting vehicles. (Source: Defense Professionals)


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