Honeywell eyes European MRO depot for Abrams tank engine

A Saudi M1 Abrams tank is displayed at the World Defense Show 2022 in Riyadh. (Janes)

Honeywell plans to create a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability in Europe to accommodate several new customers for its AGT1500 gas turbine engine, which powers the M1 Abrams main battle tank, according to an official at the US-based conglomerate.

The company is working with the US government and US-based General Dynamics Land Systems, the Abrams prime contractor, to determine an MRO location or locations in Europe, said Matthew Milas, who became president of defence and space at Honeywell's Aerospace business in January 2023.

With Poland, Romania, and Ukraine having recently signed up to become the first European users of Abrams and with Warsaw alone set to buy 366 tanks, it makes sense to service the vehicles in Europe rather than shipping them thousands of miles to Anniston Army Depot in the US state of Alabama, Milas told Janes on 6 July.

“It could be multiple depots [that are set up in Europe] based on the volumes of Abrams being ordered,” he said. “I'm hoping by the end of the year we'll have a good announcement.”

Among Honeywell's other defence activities is support for Ukraine's military. The company recently agreed to supply navigation equipment to state-owned conglomerate Ukroboronprom for use in unmanned surveillance aircraft. It has provided its tactical advanced land inertial navigator (TALIN) for Ukrainian ground vehicles and howitzers.