US Army to build a 16th Armored Brigade Combat Team!

via Inside Defense.

The Army is furthering its goal to build its armored capabilities with plans to create a 16th armored brigade combat team through conversion, according to Maj. Gen. William Hix, director of strategy, plans and policy in the office of the deputy chief of staff (G-3/5/7).

Hix told Inside the Army during a May 8 interview the service is "thickening our armor posture going forward."

He highlighted the service's decision to build another heavy brigade on top of the plans to create a 15th ABCT over the next year. The service announced in November its decision to convert the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division from an infantry to an armored BCT beginning this summer; the unit will be equipped with Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, humvees, the M109 howitzer and variants of the M113 personnel carrier.

Hix said the service has not yet determined which brigade to convert for the 16th ABCT, although he noted it would be equipped with modernized versions of existing armored platforms. After the conversion of the 2/3, he said, "there will be some refit of some systems" for the next heavy brigade, using the Abrams tank as an example.

"So bring [Abrams Integrated Management] to [System Enhancement Program] and then SEP to V3 eventually as we go forward," he explained.

Wow.

Just plain wow.

The armor race is on.  If I didn't know better, I would believe that someone somewhere actually believes combat against a technologically capable peer opponent will happen sooner rather than later.

This is noteworthy!  Think about it.  After 20 years chasing terrorists the US Army is heading full speed ahead back toward a heavily mechanized and lethal force.  Even its light forces are meching up!