Within the framework of the prolonged acquisition of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), the Argentine Army is currently analyzing the proposal for 8×8 M1126 Stryker, put forward and revived by the United States government. As previously reported by Zona Militar, with the change in national administration and President Javier Milei’s expressed alignment, various proposals have regained traction in the consideration of the Ministry of Defense.
While no further details were provided, sources consulted by Zona Militar indicated that the Argentine Army is considering the proposal put forward by the United States government for the 8×8 Stryker IFVs. This armored vehicle, used by the U.S. Army, is a model extensively tested in multiple operational environments. However, various aspects of the proposal have raised doubts within the institution, as the IFV Program driven by the Army seeks the incorporation of a family of vehicles to fulfill various roles within Armored Brigades and the Rapid Deployment Force.
This requirement became clearer with the signing of the Letter of Intent for 156 6×6 IFVs Iveco Guarani. Of the total vehicles outlined in the document signed by then Minister of Defense Jorge Taiana, vehicles intended for personnel transport, infantry support (equipped with a 30mm cannon), and command post roles were noted. Specifically: 120 Personnel Transport vehicles (VCBR-TP) with a SARC REMAX turret equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun; 27 Infantry Combat vehicles (VCBR-CI) with a SARC UT30BR2 turret with a 30mm cannon; and 9 Command Post version vehicles (VCBR-PC).
Meanwhile, the offer put forward by the United States government is based on the one made during the presidency of Mauricio Macri (2015-2019), reflected in the authorization from the State Department in 2020. Through this, the DSCA authorized the sale through the FMS Program of a total of 27 M1126 Stryker WACVs in their Troop Transport version (Infantry Carrier Vehicles). The package, which included M2 Flex 12.7mm caliber machine guns, along with driver vision amplifiers AN/VAS-5 and related equipment, amounted to USD 100,000,000.
While the offer would meet the original requirement of the Army’s IFV program, being an 8×8 vehicle, the limited nature of the package negotiated during the 2015-2019 administration, in terms of quantity and armament per second-hand unit, clashes with the program’s main requirements aimed at a family of armored vehicles of this class. Moreover, in the pressing economic and financial context Argentina is going through, any progress in this direction will be met with the scant budget allocation for the Armed Forces, which has hindered various reequipment plans, with one of the latest examples being the failed negotiations for the 6×6 Guarani WACVs with Brazil, which opened the door to the revival of the U.S. proposal.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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