Australian Army Uses Modified Abrams Tank as Opposing-Force Surrogate in Officer Training

The Australian Army School of Armor published photos of one M1A2 Abrams tank modified as an opposing-force surrogate for a People’s Liberation Army main battle tank. Soldiers from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment prepared the vehicle for the Royal Australian Armored Corps Officer Basic Course at the Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria.

The tank received a four-color digital camouflage scheme with bright green blocks over its standard three-tone pattern.

Dummy external fuel tanks were added to the rear of the turret, and the slogan 'Bing Chilling' was applied to the turret side. The School of Armor stated that in-service armored fighting vehicles have been adapted as surrogates. The course includes field training assessments and ends with Exercise Tungsten Forge/Gauntlet Strike 2026.

Australia is acquiring 75 M1A2 SEPv3 tanks under the Main Battle Tank Upgrade program, known as LAND 907 Phase 2, in a deal valued at roughly $2.5 billion. The U.S. government approved the Foreign Military Sales transaction in 2021, and the first vehicles arrived in 2024.

Canberra separately agreed to supply Ukraine with 49 of its older M1A1 Abrams tanks. The Australian Army had previously obtained 59 second-hand M1A1 tanks from U.S. stocks. The M1A2 SEPv3 was developed to incorporate lessons from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

An Abrams and an M113 also conducted integrated training for the Tank Regimental Officers Basic Course and Mechanised Regimental Officers Course in preparation for the 2026 exercise. The 2023 Defense Strategic Review and National Defense Strategy direct Australian forces toward deterrence by denial and operations alongside the United States and regional partners, including through the AUKUS submarine program.