NEWTOWN, Conn. - U.S. House appropriators are recommending $186.0 million for M88A2 Improved Recovery Vehicles in FY14, reflecting an increase of $75.0 million and 21 vehicles. In its markup, the House Appropriations defense subcommittee noted the significant operational and safety advantages of the M88A2 over its predecessor. The markup matches the defense authorization bill, passed by the House last week. House authorizers noted that, since the Army's vehicle fleets continue to grow in weight, the M88A1 recovery vehicles are approaching the limit of their capabilities. In the future, the A1 variants will be outmatched by the weight of the Army fleet, lawmakers said. The committee supports the Army's decision to continue procurement of M88A2s but believes that additional funds are necessary to maintain production.
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed an FY13 spending bill that increased M88A2 funding by $62.0 million to buy an additional 18 M88A2 vehicles. The Senate had recommended adding $123.0 million. In the FY13 markup, the House appropriations committee noted that the M88A2 is the only vehicle capable of recovering an M1A2 tank on its own. Army heavy brigade combat teams typically operate a mix of 15 M88A2s and M88A1s, and the committee encouraged the Army to accelerate replacement of the A1 model with M88A2 Hercules vehicles.
The Army has not identified any planned funding for M88A2 vehicles beyond FY14.
Source: Forecast International - International Military Markets
Associated URL:
http://www.forecastinternational.com
Author: S. McDougall, North America Analyst
