The U.S. State Department has approved a potential deal that could benefit the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.
According to Senator Rob Portman, Taiwan has proposed a $2 billion deal that would modernize 108 Abrams tanks for them. This would be on top of the over $2 billion dollars of work, for Abrams and Stryker vehicles as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which has been approved by Congress. Foreign work was critical to help keep the plant open when the U.S. cut back on product at the JSMC a few years ago. The Lima plant in the past had deals with Morocco, Saudi Arabia and other countries for different versions of Abrams Tank.
“Very good news for Lima, the fact that countries around the world want our equipment,” says Senator Rob Portman. Our tanks are the highest quality, the best technology now, the best protective material for troops. It is a tribute to Lima and the workforce there that Taiwan chose us to upgrade their tanks.”
The sale with Taiwan still has to pass congress. Portman says he will keep urging Congress to pass the deal which will be decided on during a 30 day notification period.
