Argentina to Upgrade 74 TAM Main Battle Tank with Israel
Argentina Defence Minister signed, on June 26, a $111 million (€100 million) contract the Israeli Ministry of Defence's International Defence Cooperation Division (SIBAT) for the modernization of 74 TAM Main battle tank.
The agreement includes the implementation and provision of all necessary supplies for the modernization and upgrade of 74 TAM tanks, main battle tank of the Argentine Army. In addition, it provides different tools for technological transfers to ensure that Argentina can develop their own through joint-production projects with Israel, licensed production, joint ventures, human resource training and Israeli technical assistance to enter insertion into the international market with locally manufactured defence products.
Secretary of Science, Technology and Defence Production, Santiago Rodriguez, said for that "the modernization of the TAM is emblematic because it is a tank designed and manufactured in Argentina," and explained that "the production line will be installed in our country factory in Boulogne, where locally manufactured components will be incorporated. "
Modernization of TAM main battle tank could includes LAHAT ant-tank missile launch capability, new short-range thermal camera for the driver, thermal and television sights for gunner and commander, both fitted with laser rangefinder. On-board computing would be upgraded. Four laser detectors would also be added as an auxiliary power unit.
The Tanque Argentino Mediano ("Argentine Medium Tank"), or TAM, is the main battle tank in service with the Argentine Army. Lacking the experience and resources to design a tank, the Argentine Ministry of Defense contracted German company Thyssen-Henschel. The vehicle was developed by a German and Argentine team of engineers, and was based on the chassis of the German Marder infantry fighting vehicle.
The TAM met the Argentine Army's requirement for a modern light-weight and fast tank with a low silhouette and sufficient firepower to defeat contemporary armored threats. Development began in 1974 and resulted in the construction of three prototypes by early 1977 and full-scale production by 1979. Assembly took place at the local 9,600 meters squared TAMSE plant, founded for the purpose by the Argentine government. Economic difficulties halted to production in 1983, but manufacturing began anew in 1994 until the army's order of 200 tanks was fulfilled.
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