The focus of the United States to increase its military strength to face the threat from Russia and China to suite their latest national strategy became clear.
It is seen one of the Army's plan to improve the ability of their main battle tank which is long overdue.
The budget for the 2019 fiscal year will complete 261 M1 tanks or three brigades, with the Trophy active protection system made in Israel.
Active protection system is designed to deflect anti-tank missiles and other projectiles. Trophy system, called Windbreaker, using four antennas that offer 360-degree coverage, and radar shots to pick up incoming targets.
Internal computer then design the firing angle and beckoned two rotating launcher on the side of the vehicle to turn on the tube containing the ball. The system has been installed on the Merkava main battle tanks Israel since 2009.
"If you look at what we have done in the last 15 years, we face the fight lightly, so we took a lot of risks on the strength of weight," said John Daniels, deputy assistant secretary of the Army's plans, programs, and resources to Breaking Defense Monday February 19, 2018.
"Now you're at the point where the system start over," said Daniels. "If you see the age of the platform and how long it takes to rebuild a heavy brigade, you (need to modernize) of about one to 1.5 a year to actually make substantive changes." He added that the upgrade speed will depend on the decisions that made in 2019 and 2020.
2019 budget proposal requested US $ 182.1 billion, or about Rp2.457 triliununtuk US Army. Of that amount US $ 5.6 billion or around Rp76 trillion will be used for the procurement of weapons and combat vehicles. Trophy system is estimated to cost US $ 350,000 to US $ 500,000 (Rp4,7- Rp6.8 billion) for each tank.
US military officials said that Abrams remain at the top of the standings, but they also warned that foreign military has been trying to add their own active protection system and improve their ability to fight the system antitep opponent.
Americans have wanted APS to protect armor long enough. In 2016 and 2017, the Army hired and bought some systems Trophy for testing.
APS has become particularly important in the midst of ongoing tensions with Russia, which maintains a large tank force - with some use of APS - as well as anti-armor capabilities are extensive.
The American Army is also evaluating Iron Fist APS made in Israel to be mounted Bradley fighting vehicles and American-made Iron APS for Stryker combat vehicles. The program is still in the research and development with procurement decisions and funding should be made.