M1A2 Elias Main Battle Tanks conducting a training exercise on the Eastoria Land Forces training field in the Beitbridge Region. PHOTO| JAN SCHNEEBERGER
By Jan Schneeberger |@JanSchneeberger
Steinbruck, Diekirch — Anduril Industries, Eastoria’s leading defense manufacturer based in Steinbruck, Diekirch, has officially launched the M1A2 Elias Main Battle Tank, the next generation of armored warfare for the Eastoria Defense Forces (EDF). The unveiling coincides with a historic €62 billion ($71.5 billion) contract between the company and the Ministry of Defense for 4,500 units to be delivered throughout the 2030s — the largest defense procurement in Eastoria’s history. The first 50 tanks are set for delivery by January 2026.
The M1A2 Elias replaces the long-serving M1A1, which has been the backbone of the EDF’s armored divisions since 1992. Designed, engineered, and built domestically, the Elias marks a new era of Eastorian self-reliance and defense innovation.
Anduril’s CEO and Managing Director, Adrian Voelker, described the M1A2 Elias as “a generational step forward for Eastoria’s defense industry.” At the launch event in Steinbruck, he stated, “This is the product of Eastorian engineering excellence — a platform that integrates the best of artificial intelligence, mobility, and protection. The Elias will not only serve our forces but redefine Eastoria’s role in NATO’s defense ecosystem.”
The M1A2 Elias features several major advancements:
• 125mm smoothbore hybrid cannon capable of firing kinetic, programmable, and guided munitions.
• Adaptive modular armor combining composite and reactive layers for maximum protection.
• Hybrid diesel-electric powertrain with a reduced thermal signature and 650 km operational range.
• AI-assisted targeting and threat detection, fully linked with the EDF’s integrated battlefield network.
• Crew of three, supported by an automated loader and autonomous monitoring systems.
• Maximum speed: 72 km/h on road, 50 km/h off-road.
• Weight: 62 metric tons.
The Minister of Defense, Gen. Sophie Schubert praised the acquisition as “a monumental stride toward full-spectrum readiness.” Speaking at the event, she said, “The M1A2 Elias represents the confidence and competence of our defense sector. It ensures that the EDF remains not just modern, but dominant in any operational environment. Our allies in NATO will see Eastoria not as a follower, but as a technological contributor to collective security.”
Analysts have compared the Elias to NATO’s most advanced systems, including Germany’s Leopard 2A8 and the U.S. Abrams X. Defense strategist Jonas Heller noted that “Eastoria has achieved in one generation what larger nations take decades to modernize — a digital-era tank for hybrid warfare.” Fellow analyst Clara Neuberg added, “The Elias elevates Eastoria from a regional player to a strategic supplier within the alliance. It sends a message — Eastoria builds its own strength.”
For Anduril Industries, once a mid-sized manufacturer of industrial machinery, the project solidifies its transformation into a global defense innovator. CEO Adrian Voelker concluded, “This is Eastoria’s engineering and strategic vision in metal and motion. The Elias is more than a tank — it’s a symbol of national capability, built by Eastorians for Eastoria.”
With assembly lines already active in Steinbruck and the first production models nearing completion, the M1A2 Elias stands as a testament to how far Eastoria’s defense sector has come — and how much further it intends to go.
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