U.S OFFERS ABRAMS TANK UPGRADE TO MIDEAST ALLIES - EGYPT
WASHINGTON [MENL] -- The United States has offered the prospect of an
upgrade of the Abrams tank fleet of Middle East allies.

U.S. officials said the Defense Department has discussed the prospect of an
upgrade of the M1A1 fleets of such countries as Egypt. Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia already have the more advanced M1A2 tanks.

Egypt has helped produce and assemble nearly 700 M1A1 main battle tanks.

The Pentagon has awarded a $26 million contract to General Dynamics Land
Systems for the retrofit of 14 M1A2 Abrams Upgrade Tanks to the M1A2 system
enhancement program configuration. A Pentagon statement said the work will
take place in General Dynamics facilities in the United States and will be
completed by 2005.

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