Balkans: March 23, 2001

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More on Turkey's quest for a new tank. The Turks have long intended to upgrade at least some of their older M60 tanks while buying new tanks at the same time. Both are to use the same 120mm cannon so the ammunition would be interchangeable. Israel offered to upgrade the M60s to its Sabra configuration, and now General Dynamics has asked to bid against the Israelis by offering their M60-2000 version (which puts an M1A1 tank turret onto an upgraded M60 chassis fitted with a new 1200hp diesel engine). Bidders are growing concerned that the upgrade program may soak up all of the money supposedly earmarked for new production vehicles, and the world financial powers are pressuring Turkey to cut back military expenditures.--Stephen V Cole

 

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