At the beginning of last May, the United States Army, in a decision that continues to cause surprise and controversy, announced the cancellation of its Combat Vehicle Program, or light tank, M10 Booker. The decision, in line with the guidelines of the current administration heading the Department of State, was based on the need to eliminate “unnecessary spending” and to focus efforts and resources on other programs with greater prospects. With this background, on the 11th, the force officially announced the cancellation of the current low-rate initial production contracts that had been reached with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), thereby marking the end of the program.
Framed within the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program, the M10 Booker was one of the most modern combat vehicles developed to equip the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs).
At the time of the cancellation last May, the U.S. Army had already formalized its official presentation and completed the delivery to the first units, among which the 82nd Airborne Division stood out, having received a total of three M10s for testing and evaluation.
Although, at first glance, the decision can be justified by the lessons being drawn from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict —where the use of tanks and other armored vehicles is being questioned— the reality also shows that the Booker failed to meet some of the objectives and goals originally set by the MPF Program.
Beyond the anecdote, taken humorously by various specialized media, of whether the M10 was or wasn’t a light tank —to which the official answer was that it was a “combat vehicle”— the reality showed that the United States Army was incorporating a platform weighing 38 tons, complicating its transfer and transport.
In addition, various contractual issues related to repair and maintenance rights established by GDLS raised serious concerns within the current Republican administration.
Thus, and following what was announced yesterday, June 11, the United States Army announced the “…cancellation for convenience of the current low-rate initial production of the M10 Booker combat vehicle and will not proceed to full-rate production as originally planned.”
Adding that: “…it will request the reassignment of the remaining funds from fiscal year 2025 to accelerate the incorporation of decisive warfighting capabilities and anticipates significant additional savings that will fully materialize within the next 18 to 24 months.”
Finally, and as of today, the cancellation of the M10 Booker production contracts seems to mark the end of this light tank and its failed incorporation into the U.S. Army. However, and speaking hypothetically, it remains to be seen whether GDLS will give up after years of efforts and multimillion-dollar investments.
It is worth considering whether various technologies applied and obtained during the development of the M10 could be used in new developments and projects. Likewise, the possibility remains open that the Booker may be offered to the export market, considering the fleet renewal needs of various ground forces worldwide.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes
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