DEF20 Phase II ~ ARAT Fitted To M1 Abrams

An M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank brought to an installation site to be equipped with Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles at Bergen-Hohne Training Area [US Army: Sgt Evan Ruchotzke]

US Army 18th Military Police Brigade personnel have installed ARAT to M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks at Bergen-Hohne for DEFENDER-Europe Phase II.

Soldiers with 527 Military Police Company, 709 Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, recently installed Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) at Bergen-Hohne Training Area in Germany, prior to phase two of DEFENDER-Europe 20.

The ARAT consists of 62 tiles, weighing nearly two tons, that are designed to detonate upon impact from rocket propelled grenades forcing explosions away from the tank’s tracks. The exercise was the first occurrence of Military Police soldiers performing the installation of the armour system.

Soldiers with 527 Military Police Company, 709 MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, install ARAT at Bergen-Hohne Training Area prior to phase two of DEFENDER-Europe 20 [US Army: Sgt Evan Ruchotzke]

DEFENDER-Europe 20 was designed as a deployment exercise to build strategic readiness in support of the US National Defense Strategy and NATO deterrence objectives. In response to COVID-19, DEFENDER-Europe 20 was modified in size and scope. Phase I of the modified DEFENDER-Europe 20 was linked Exercise ALLIED SPIRIT, which took place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 5-19, with approximately 6,000 US and Polish Soldiers.

In Phase II of the modified DEFENDER-Europe 20, a US-based combined arms battalion will conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) to Europe July 14 – August 22.