While many details are still being handled cautiously and with reservation, the Argentine Army is analyzing the proposal for 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicles (IFV) M1126 Stryker floated by the United States government. As previously noted by Zona Militar, one of the concerns of the evaluating authorities was whether the proposal for the vehicles, in their armored personnel carrier version, could be extended to a family of armored vehicles, in order to fulfill various roles and functions in line with the original requirements of the national VCBR Project.
Following the deadlock in negotiations for the 6×6 Guarani VCBR with Brazil, which had reached the milestone of a Letter of Intent signed for 156 units in 2023, the United States government, taking advantage of the National Executive Power’s newly expressed international alignment, revived one of its past proposals for the sale of military equipment to Argentina. More precisely, for the provision of 8×8 M1126 Stryker VCBRs for the Argentine Army, based on the authorization issued in 2020 by the Department of State.
In said document, through those published by the DSCA, the United States government authorized the possible sale of 27 M1126 Stryker VCBRs in their Troop Transport version (Infantry Carrier Vehicles). The package, which included M2 Flex 12.7mm caliber machine guns, along with driver vision enhancers AN/VAS-5 and related equipment, amounted to USD 100,000,000.
However, the revived proposal for the Strykers raised doubts within the Argentine Army, since although the M1126 is a model with wide availability, tested in various operational environments, and meets the original requirement of being 8×8, the force’s reluctance focused on whether this offer could be extended to a family of wheeled armored combat vehicles.
More specifically, this issue required in the Army’s IFV Program was reflected in the Investment Project arising from the 2024 Budget Law Project. Through this, it is contemplated to incorporate 209 VCBRs in the following versions: 120 Armored Personnel Transport Vehicles armed with an M2 12.7mm machine gun; 27 Infantry Fighting Vehicles armed with a 30mm cannon; 14 Tank Hunter Vehicles; 12 Mortar Carrier Vehicles; 9 Ambulance Vehicles; 9 Command Post Vehicles; 8 Recovery Vehicles; 6 Bridge-Laying Vehicles; and 4 Gap Crossing Vehicles. The contemplated investment reaches USD 320 million.
In this way, and based on sources consulted by Zona Militar, it was reported that the United States’ offer is based on the proposal from 2020, with the possibility of being expanded to more vehicles of the Stryker family. Although no further details were provided, it was mentioned that they would include armored vehicles corresponding to versions of Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) with 20mm or 30mm cannons, command post vehicles, recovery vehicles, and ambulances. Additionally, without providing specifics, those intended for tank hunting or combat against other armored vehicles. The objective, following the program’s guidelines, would be to offer Argentina a consolidated VCBR family through General Dynamics’ Stryker 8×8.
However, it is still unclear whether, in case of progress, contract signing would be done in stages, with the implications of purchasing in separate batches, considering past experiences. Or, conversely, the signing of a document that, emulating what was signed in 2023 for the 6×6 Guarani VCBRs (embodied in a non-binding Letter of Intent), establishes a total number of Strykers to be acquired, specifying quantities and versions to be supplied to the Argentine Army.
*Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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