Sen. Portman applauds army’s plan to upgrade Abrams tanks

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) applauded Tuesday the U.S. Army’s plan to spend $714 million to upgrade 174 Abrams tanks with the latest technological advancements.

The upgrades will improve communications, reliability, sustainment and fuel efficiency. They will also include upgraded armor. The tanks are built in Portman’s district in Lima, Ohio.

“This announcement is a big win for Lima and the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, and a much-needed investment in our troops,” Portman said. “As the National Defense Strategy makes clear, our soldiers require the most modern equipment available to effectively combat U.S. adversaries that threaten our interests. With Lima’s irreplaceable workforce upgrading these tanks, our armored formations will be safer and more effective on the modern battlefield.”

Portman has consistently supported the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima through various legislative proposals. In 2017, Portman backed a bill to fund more than $1.6 billion to increase the rate of production of the newest upgraded Abrams tanks. The bill also included $622 million to complete the fourth Stryker brigade with upgraded survivability and mobility improvements. In 2018, Portman championed a bill to authorize $1.5 billion in funding to upgrade 135, or 1.5 brigades worth, of Abrams tanks — increasing the rate of production of the newest upgraded Abrams tanks in Lima. The measure also included $225 million for upgrading Stryker Vehicles.