Morocco Orders 50 More Heavy Transporters to Move Abrams and Other Military Vehicles
Morocco has ordered 50 new American tank transporters and an equal number of trailers to carry its heavy military equipment. Announced on October 5 by Oshkosh Defense, this second order follows an initial delivery already in service with the Royal Armed Forces.
The purchase covers 50 Heavy Equipment Transporter A1s, or HET A1s, paired with 50 MN573 trailers designed and built with Dutch company Broshuis. It is being handled through Optimum Vehicle Logistics, Oshkosh’s exclusive distributor in Morocco, reports Defence Industry Europe.
These transporter-and-trailer combinations are used to carry tanks and other heavy vehicles to their destinations. They can also bring equipment back to maintenance workshops. The order includes spare parts, services and training to support their use.
The use of these transporters addresses a practical constraint for armored forces: long journeys wear out equipment before it is even deployed. Loading a tank onto a trailer preserves its running gear and reduces crew fatigue. The manufacturer specifically highlights these advantages in its presentation of the HET A1.
Transporters to support the Abrams
Morocco had already selected this model in September 2024, with 635NL trailers. At the time, Oshkosh Defense directly linked the contract to the modernization of Morocco’s M1 Abrams tanks. The new order therefore extends a capability that has been in service for two years.
An initial batch of tractors has since been delivered and is now in use by Moroccan forces, the statement issued today says. The additional 50 transporter-and-trailer combinations are expected to increase the capacity available to move armored vehicles and other heavy equipment.
The HET A1’s missions also go beyond transporting tanks. The vehicle can also carry armored recovery vehicles and military construction equipment. Its towing capacity is therefore useful both for transfers between sites and for supporting units.
For these tasks, the tractor has an eight-wheel-drive configuration and a 700-horsepower engine. The manufacturer’s specifications describe a cab that can accommodate six people, allowing the crew to travel with its equipment.
Loading is handled by two winches, each with a pulling capacity of nearly 25 tonnes. They make it easier to load equipment onto the trailer, particularly when a vehicle has to be evacuated for repairs.
