The Pentagon has entered into contracts for the development of light tanks with General Dynamics and BAE Systems. For both contracts, the US state budget will roll away $ 700 million.
A new light tank will be adopted shortly by the US Army. The Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the development of such a machine with General Dynamics and BAE Systems.
In total, according to the contract, companies will have to manufacture 12 prototypes of light tanks. This will allow the military to understand which tank and with what functions it is necessary for the needs of the current army.
According to the plans of the military department, by 2022 it will be already determined with a variety of the new light tank. All in all, about 500 units of this class of equipment will be created for the needs of the army.
In the US Department of Defense indicate that the new light tank will fill the gap that arose after the cancellation of the M551 Sheridan, as well as the cancellation of programs Armored Gun System and the Future Combat System. A new combat unit must go to the troops already in 2025 and can be used to cover the infantry on the battlefield where the capabilities of the M1 Abrams will be redundant or there will be no possibility of its deployment.
At the Pentagon, the new light tank has already been dubbed the "younger brother" of the Abrams.
