Permanent Exhibit

M-1 Abrams Tank

To highlight President Reagan’s Peace Through Strength Initiatives, the Reagan Library dedicated this M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank on December 4, 2021. Designed in the 1970s, it was issued to the U.S. Army in February 1980.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

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M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank

This specific tank is named after United States Army General Creighton Williams Abrams, Jr., who commanded military operations in Vietnam and served as Chief of Staff of the Army from 1972 until his death in 1974. The M1 Abrams Tanks were originally designed by Chrysler Defense, which is now General Dynamics. It was designed as a highly mobile main-battle tank for modern armored ground warfare. Weighing in at 62 metric tons, it’s one of the heaviest main battle tanks in service.

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Design and Dedication

Ronald Reagan delivered the following statement during a speech on February 8, 1982, which was part of an address to Congress and the American people, largely focused on the state of national defense and the military buildup in response to Soviet capabilities.

“In my first address to the country, I went before the American people to report on the condition of our economy. I also proposed strengthening the Nation's defenses, to restore our margin of safety and counter the Soviet military buildup….A year ago every component of military strength was flashing warning lights of neglect, under-investment, and deteriorating capability. Today, health is being restored….Critical investments in conventional and strategic force modernization are now moving rapidly forward. A new bomber for early deployment and an advanced (Stealth) bomber for the 1990's have been approved to retain our capability to penetrate Soviet air defenses. Development of a new, larger, and more accurate MX missile to preserve our land-based deterrent is proceeding. A 5-year shipbuilding program including 133 new ships and a total investment of $96 billion -- double the 5-year program of the previous administration -- has been launched. Rapid production of new combat systems including the M-1 Abrams tank, the AV-8B Marine Corps attack aircraft and the F/A-18 Navy tactical fighter have been approved. Improvements in our airlift and sealift forces to transport equipment and soldiers rapidly to counter military aggression anywhere in the world, are moving forward.”

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