Delivery of Main Battle Tanks to Iraq

Pennsylvania-based Defense Solutions, Inc. delivered seventy-seven (77) T-72 Main Battle Tanks and 4 VT-55 recovery vehicles to Iraq in November 2005.  The Government of Hungary generously donated these capable vehicles to the Republic of Iraq with the urging and support of both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the US Government. 

Defense Solutions conducted the refurbishment in Hungary under contracts to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense and the US Army.  Upon their arrival in country, the Iraqi Army division commander accurately proclaimed the refurbished tanks the “finest equipment ever owned by the Army of Iraq.”  Nearly two years later, that statement is still true as evidenced by a recent Iraqi Government request for more of these same T-72 tanks in addition to other non-NATO standard armored vehicles.

Defense Solutions and its partner, CURRUS Armoured Vehicle Technique Company, a Hungarian Government-owned company, take great pride in the quality of the fully mission certified and safety certified T-72 tanks that were delivered.  Demonstrating Defense Solutions’ commitment to the success of the operation, Defense Solutions successfully responded to our customer’s request to shorten the production (completion) timeline, because the tanks were needed prior to the December 2005 elections. 

Inspection, maintenance, repair, painting, and marking of the tanks were performed at the facility of Defense Solutions subcontractor, CURRUS, in Gödöllö, Hungary.  Defense Solutions performed quality control inspections and developed quality control plans addressing the inspection system, methods for identifying deficiencies and their causes, and methods of correcting common deficiencies for the required maintenance. 

Vehicle and Parts Transportation

Defense Solutions has assembled a tried and proven logistics team for transporting battle tanks, APCs, and spare parts from Europe to the Middle East.

Our team includes:

Globe Line Transportation and Forwarding

Our freight forwarder specializes in highway, railroad, ship, and air transport in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.  Members of this company have much experience transporting the Hungarian Defense Forces abroad were responsible for the successful shipping of Defense Solutions' battle tanks and parts from the repair facility to the seaport.

Transmar


This shipping agency is the longest serving agency in the Port of Koper, Slovenia, representing the shipowners dealing though the port.  Transmar is the agent of choice of the Hungarian Defence Force and Defense Solutions has utilized Transmar's extensive experience in military equipment for planning and logistics of the arrival, storage and ship-loading of our vehicles in the port.  They ensured a safe, secure, and efficient operation in our 2005 Iraqi tank shipment in the Port of Koper.


American Roll-on, Roll-off Carrier


Defense Solutions personnel have had a long-term relationship with ARC, providing semiannual MARPOL I audits of each ship in their fleet. American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) is proud to be the only US Flag Ro-Ro liner carrier operating in the US International Trades.

ARC provides Ro-Ro and break bulk ocean carriage to serve the requirements of the US Transportation Command, Military Transportation Management Command, Department of Defense, Department of State, Maritime Administration, other government agencies and commercial businesses.