http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrams_tank
The U.S. Military is planning to close the Lima Army Tank Plant from 2013 to 2016 in an effort to save over $1 billion; it would be reopened in 2017 to upgrade existing tanks. General Dynamics Land Systems, which operates the factory, opposed the closure, arguing that suspension of operations would increase long-term costs and reduce flexibility.[31][32] Heavy maintenance has kept the fleet up to exemplary like-new standards. The average Abrams in U.S. Army service has been reconditioned within the last two years. Plant closure would cost General Dynamics $380 million, to reopen would cost $1.3 billion.[33] If passed, a bill currently in the U.S. Senate would allocate $272 million in funds toward the plant to allow it to continue regular operations through 2013
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2746534/posts
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/M1-Abrams-Tanks-for-Iraq-05013/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/egypt/m1a1.htm
| 
