These funds would mean roughly 60 M1A2 Abrams tanks would be produced over the next year, ensuring the plant does not idle as previously planned. Thousands of workers contribute to the production of the M1A2 at the Lima, OH facility.
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Congressman Mike Turner commended the inclusion of $272 million for tank production in the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Mark of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These funds would mean roughly 60 M1A2 Abrams tanks would be produced over the next year, ensuring the plant does not idle as previously planned. Thousands of workers contribute to the production of the M1A2 at the Lima, OH facility.

“I want to commend Chairman Bartlett for including these funds in his Mark of the NDAA. If this language makes it through Congress and is signed by the President, workers at this Ohio facility would continue to modernize tanks for our warfighters. These workers and their jobs require tremendous skill and dedication; we simply cannot shut down this plant and expect them to wait around for it to start up again. This plant is vital to jobs in Ohio, and is a unique facility which crafts equipment for our soldiers and marines,” stated Turner.

Congressmen Turner and House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Chairman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6) visited the Lima Tank Facility on April 20th. Prior to this announcement, production of the Abrams M1A2 was set to end in 2013 and was not planned to start again until 2016. Lima is the only facility in the country that builds these tanks for the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Thanks to Congressman Michael Turner’s diligence, I had an opportunity to visit the facilities in Lima, Ohio where Abrams tanks are assembled. The most important things I learned came from talking with some of the men and women that make them. This Tactical Air and Land Forces mark for the FY 12 National Defense Authorization Act has $272 million that will keep the Abrams lines warm. It reflects the reality that our industrial base cannot be turned on and off like a light switch. It will likely be more economical to maintain the capability our country needs to build armored vehicles while also providing our National Guard with the same modernized equipment as our active duty personnel,” said Congressman Roscoe Bartlett.

During their visit, the lawmakers received an overview and tour of the production facilities, as well as a demonstration of the M1A2 tank and met with the Ohioans who produce the M1A2. They were accompanied by LTG Robert P. Lennox, the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8.