By Matt Grossman

General Dynamics Corp.'s land-systems unit has been awarded a $4.6 billion contract to produce battle tanks for the U.S. Army, the company said Wednesday.

The contract to make M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks has an estimated completion date in June 2028. The first delivery order under the contract has a value of approximately $406 million, General Dynamics said.

The tank model has a 120 millimeter cannon and can be deployed against troops, armored vehicles and low-flying aircraft, the Sterling Heights, Mich.-based manufacturer said. The version ordered by the Army has improvements in communications, lethality and reliability, according to General Dynamics.

Write to Matt Grossman at matt.grossman@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-23-20 1031ET