American manufacturer of military vehicles General Dynamics Land Systems has signed a $16 million contract to furnish Morocco's Abrams main battled tanks with technical support, Defense Web reported Thursday, quoting the US Department of Defense. The American department announced the $16 269 197 contract on Tuesday, June 11, indicating that the Michigan-based manufacturer will «provide systems technical support for the Abrams family of vehicles». General Dynamics Land Systems' services «will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of 30 June 2020», the same source said. This contract comes as the United States State Department announced in November, 2018 that it approved a possible foreign military sale to Morocco of enhancements to 162 Abrams tanks for an estimated cost of USD 1.259 billion. The purchase came after Morocco requested 222 Abrams, according to US Excess Defense Articles database. In 2012, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said that it concluded a sale with Morocco «for enhancement and refurbishment of 200 M1A1 Abrams tanks and associated parts, equipment, logistical support and training for an estimated cost of $1.015 billion», the same source concluded.
