Not trying to offend you, fireguard62b, but you say you're a 'force guy'. It surprises me that you have such an attitude, especially as most of the people I have spoken with, including the ex-RSM of 1st Armoured Regt are quite happy that we are getting the Abrams. It is a tank designed mainly for desert fighting, whereas the Challenger II and Leopard 2 are designed by countries with a very temperate climate (England and Germany respectively). As was seen in Gulf War II, the Challengers needed rather extensive modification to increase their survivability in a desert enviroment (Tamiya even made a kit). Mods for the Abrams? Minimal, if any. They were packed up, shipped out, unloaded and got stuck in.
I also find it interesting that you talk about cracked chassis and thirsty turbines. From what I have heard (more 1st Armoured guys), the tanks are being either manufactured brand new at the plant in the US, or they're being stripped back to bare basics and completely rebuilt, not patched up. The only setback on this front is the fact that the design is over 20 years old. But we're driving around in Leopard 1's at the moment and they're over 30 years old!!! As for the 'thirsty turbine', it seems we'll actually be getting a diesel powerplant put in. While this may give a small reduction in speed, it won't impact that serverely on the tank's performance. Finally on the issue of the removal of the depleted uranium armour: yes, it can be enviromentally unfriendly and personally I would enjoy being able to walk around Pukapunyal on exercise without making sure I'm not stepping on anything that might result in an extra arm growing out my head. But don't think we'll be fighting in these vehicles if, God forbid, Australia ever goes to war again. Part of the package was training for Aussie tank crews in America. Do you think that we would fight in our own tanks? I think not. More than likely, Aussie tank crews would fight in the US's tanks, when in a conflict. Don't forget that those would be M1A2's not A1's.
Another gripe by many people was the fact that there are only 59 on order. I reckon we'll be seeing more to come. It seems many people regard Australia as a nation that is under iminent invasion from the 'hostile overcrowded countries to the North'. Personally though, I believe that if Australia was ever invaded (unlikely), the US, Britain, New Zealand and a host of other countries would come to her aid. Especially since Australia and the US still have the ANZUS Treaty going.
All up, my opinion (and that's all it is, my humble opinion) is that Australia made a good choice in buying the Abrams. Closer ties with America aren't a bad thing, they're a good thing. After all, in the playground of world politics, it's good to best friends with the biggest kid of all, isn't it?
My rant is over...
Cheers,
John