Army rolls out world-class Abrams simulators in $60m deal

Developed at Thomas Global’s Newington facility in Sydney, the M1A2 Immersive Tactical Trainers replicate the interior of a tank in extraordinary detail, offering a level of sophistication comparable to flight simulators.

Head Land Systems, Major General Jason Blain, said the new capability highlights the strength of Australian industry. “The simulators proudly showcase Australian capability and innovation. They can train an entire tank crew at once, cutting down the time needed for field training while delivering significant savings on fuel, ammunition and maintenance,” he said.

The systems allow for both individual and collective training, with modes controlled either by an on-board instructor or through networked battlefield scenarios. They can be scaled from crew-level drills right through to full tank squadron operations.

The fleet includes both permanent classroom set-ups and containerised versions, which can be transported by land, sea or air for use almost anywhere. They will be co-located with Army tank units and training schools across the country.

Training on the new simulators has already begun, with soldiers giving strong feedback on the realism and effectiveness of the platform.

“Thomas Global Systems Australia has given us the ability to replicate the experience of operating a 70-tonne main battle tank almost anywhere in the world,” MAJGEN Blain said.

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Sydney-based defence company Thomas Global has a long history of delivering advanced simulation systems to the Australian Defence Force and is widely regarded as one of Defence’s most trusted industry partners.