The IFLIR employs long and mid-wave infrared technology to enhance target acquisition, identification, and engagement compared to the existing second-generation FLIR.

The tank is fitted with improved forward-looking infrared (IFLIR) to detect targets.

A 7.62mm M240 machine gun is also mounted coaxially with the main gun. The tank features a low-profile common remotely operated weapon system (Crows) installed with a 12.7mm machine gun. The main gun fitted on the MBT is an M256 120mm smoothbore cannon, which can fire M829A4 advanced kinetic energy and advanced multi-purpose (AMP) rounds to defend armoured vehicles, personnel and low-flying aircraft. The MBT measures 9.7m-long, 3.7m-wide and 2.4m-high, and is manned by a crew of four, including the driver, commander, loader, and gunner. The tank integrates joint tactical radio system handheld, man-pack, and small-form fit radio to ensure network readiness and interoperation with future brigade combat teams. The tank integrates the line-replaceable module technology to enable easy maintenance of the fleet. The M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 retains the layout of the M1A2 MBT with the driver’s cab at the forward centre hull, turret in the middle and power-pack at the rear. In January 2023, the US government announced the supply of 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks along with eight M88 recovery vehicles to Ukraine. The US Army placed a $1.1bn FMS order to General Dynamics Land Systems to deliver the tanks to Poland in August 2022. The US Department of Defense approved the sale of 250 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks to Poland in February 2022. The government of Australia’s request to buy 75 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 MBTs and associated vehicles through the US’ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme was approved by the US State Department in April 2021. The delivery of all the tanks under the contract is expected to be completed in June 2028. The first delivery order was valued at $406m. In December 2020, General Dynamics Land Systems was awarded a $4.6bn fixed-price incentive contract to produce Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 MBTs for the US Army. General Dynamics Land Systems received a $714m delivery order from the US Army to upgrade an additional 174 M1A1 MBTs to M1A2 SEPv3 standard in January 2019. The US Army placed an order with General Dynamics for the upgrade of 100 M1A1 MBTs to M1A2 SEPv3 in July 2018. General Dynamics Land Systems also received a $270m contract from the US Army Tank Automotive Command to manufacture 45 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks in October 2017.

Different types of military tanks