US Marine Corps Leaves All Options on the Table for the Future of its Armour Formations

摘要

Over the past 18 months, the USMC eliminated two of its eight active tank companies, reducing the East Coast-based 2nd Marine Division's 2nd Tank Battalion to half its former size in personnel and M1A1 ABRAMS MBTs. With the disbandment of 2nd Tank Battalion's Delta and Charlie companies, California-based 1st Tank Battalion is now the USMC's sole full-strength armoured battalion, retaining a full complement of 58 M1A1 MBTs and 26 M1167A1 HMWWV-mounted BGM-71 TOW wire-guided anti-tank missile launchers.