M1 Abrams production to end

[dragon53]

Link: http://www.military.com/news/article/ar ... ESRC=eb.nl

[ketelone]

I can't believe there isn't a market for this tank. Why can't they sell 'stripped' down models to our allies or third world countries?..

[Wrights Collectables]

I can't believe there isn't a market for this tank. Why can't they sell 'stripped' down models to our allies or third world countries?..

The US has huge M1 reserves (so much it was cheaper for you to give some to Greece!), if called for they can be deployed. Production is expensive to keep open, even more so if it is low intensity production. The US defence budget doesn't have cash to spare for the next few years, so they shut it down and the expense is deferred until 2017 (when it hopes to have more cash!).

Oh and to answer your question, likely export markets are fiscally inept at the moment (read; Broke!), or have no need for an MBT.

[ketelone]

Acknowledged and understood. Four or five years is a long time for no manufacturing to take place. The experienced and skilled workers will be spread to the winds and when and if production starts it might be difficult to reassemble the necessary experienced and sklilled workers.