In 1977, the Leopard AS 1 Main Battle Tank entered service with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. It was the replacement for the Centurion Tank, which had given sterling service since 1952, including four years on active service in South Vietnam. The Leopard AS 1 MBT was one of several Main Battle Tanks evaluated by the Medium Tank Trials Unit.

During the period March to May 1971, RAAC officers visited the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany to review developments in armoured vehicles. Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) that were reviewed by the group included M60A1 (USA), Chieftain and Vickers (UK), AMX 30 (France) and Leopard (Federal Republic of Germany). The review of these armoured vehicles was the first step in the programme to investigate the replacement of the Centurion as the Australian Army's Main Battle Tank.

Late in 1971, the investigation into the replacement of the Centurion Tank took a step forward, when it was announced that two contenders, the German Leopard and the US M60A1, would be trialed in Australia. The nature of the trials was such that a special tank trials unit was formed. B Squadron 1st Armoured Regiment, under the command of Major Peter Jarratt, was converted to the Medium Tank Trials Unit (MTTU) in Puckapunyal in early 1972. Training of personnel in Germany and the United States was undertaken, and in mid 1972 the tanks arrived. The trials tanks comprised two M60A1 (chassis numbers 6108 and 6113) MBTs, two Leopard 1A2 MBTs (with original cast turrets) (chassis numbers 8954 and 8955) and a Leopard Armoured Recovery Vehicle.

Trials of the Leopard and M60A1 tanks started later in 1972, initially being conducted in Puckapunyal and later moving to the Tully - Innisfail region of north Queensland. Generally, both tanks performed well during the trials. The Medium Tank Trials Unit completed its tasks in Queensland in March 1973 and returned to Puckapunyal in April of that year. The trials vehicles travelled about 5000 miles in 10 months, and it was now up to others within Army and Defence to evaluate the results. MTTU reverted to B Squadron of 1 Armoured Regiment on 1 June 1973. (P Handel)

One of the M60A1 tanks during its tropical trials. The crew commander wears the black beret whilst the operator is sporting a US CVC helmet. The tank carries a full range of B Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment markings. A yellow plate with black radio call sign was affixed to the rear of the turret basket.
(MTTU PM)

This site was last updated 15/10/06.

Unit History Book(s)
Medium Tank Trials Unit 1972-73
Dept of Defence Booklet

 

Medium Tank Trials Unit patch