Australian Army paints frontline M1A2 Abrams to mimic Chinese Type 99 tank for training

Published Jul 28, 02:32 PM UTC

The Australian Army has modified a frontline M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tank to visually resemble a Chinese Type 99 tank. Soldiers from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment painted the tank in People's Liberation Army digital camouflage and added dummy external fuel tanks to replicate the Type 99's silhouette. The modified tank serves as the opposing force (OPFOR) for the Royal Australian Armored Corps Officer Basic Course at Puckapunyal, Victoria. Unlike the US National Training Center, which uses obsolete hulls for visual modifications, Australia used a current front-line tank that can be easily returned to normal configuration. The training culminates in Exercise Tungsten Forge/Gauntlet Strike, certifying junior officers for mechanized command. The article also notes Australia's LAND 907 Phase 2 program to acquire 75 new M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, replacing older M1A1 tanks, some of which were sold to Ukraine.