US to start producing new light tanks in 2025

The US Army has awarded a $1.14 billion contract to General Dynamics Land Systems for the defense giant’s Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program - the Army’s first new design vehicle fielded in more than four decades, Report informs referring to The Washington Times.

The contract win wasn’t exactly a surprise. The only other competitor, BAE Systems, was knocked out of the running earlier this year.

Under the contract, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) will be required to produce up to 96 MPF vehicles. It’s part of the Army’s “Next Generation Combat Vehicle” program, intended to find replacements for the M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier.

The first unit should be equipped with the light tank in late 2025, Army officials said.