At the end of last May, Zona Militar detailed some of the proposals under consideration for the modernization of the Argentine Army’s TAM VCTP. With years of service and no replacement in sight, the update of this armored personnel carrier and infantry fighting vehicle is an option being evaluated by military authorities. This aligns with various proposals presented by Israeli firms, which not only include the update and replacement of components but also the integration of new anti-tank armament from the SPIKE missile family by RAFAEL.
Although it is a preliminary proposal, the Israeli companies involved in the TAM 2C-A2 Modernization Program, who have also presented their modernization plans for other vehicles in the VC TAM family, have indicated that there is a possibility to equip the VCTPs with the capability to launch SPIKE anti-tank missiles.
The possibility of equipping the TAM VCTPs with these types of missiles is linked to the offer and proposal to provide this Israeli equipment to the Argentine Army. As we previously reported, Israeli companies have presented their offer for the sale of initial batches of SPIKE LR2 missiles.
However, such an integration of weaponry must undergo various technical and feasibility studies, not to mention the necessary allocation of resources. It has not been mentioned whether the provision of this anti-tank capability, which would give the force a capacity it currently lacks or is severely limited due to the low availability of TOW missile systems, involves major changes to the armored vehicles.
More specifically, this could mean structural changes to the current VCTP turret, with the consequent installation of new sensor and firing systems, or, more radically, replacing it with a new design, echoing past projects and proposals that failed to gain traction in the past.
Years ago, one of the evaluated and considered plans, including technical visits to the country, involved a technical proposal from DLS, part of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Group, to conduct a feasibility analysis and submit a technical/commercial proposal along with a phased work plan. As we pointed out in a past article: “… the Army, together with various companies, worked to determine the feasibility of the VCTP MRO Program, during which contact was also established with Rheinmetall, Renk, MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH, and DST Defence Service Tracks.”
Adding: “The proposal for the VCTPs not only included a complete overhaul, including repairs and component replacements like Renk gearboxes and MTU MB833 KA500 engines, but also considered the possibility of extending the replacement of the turret with one similar to that used by the Marder 1A3.” This possibility, like the more recent one, included the capability to equip the VCTPs with anti-tank missile launchers, along with various new sighting and vision systems. However, as with other possibilities, this one did not materialize.
Returning to the Israeli proposal, no further details have been provided. The only thing we can note, based on past publications, is that Elbit Systems, also involved in the TAM 2C-A2 Program, has options for new unmanned turrets in its product portfolio.
One of these is the unmanned UT30 MK2 turret, armed with a 30mm Northrop Grumman MK44 Bushmaster cannon and incorporating the latest advancements in optronic and protection systems. Additionally, this MK2 version can also be configured with a SPIKE missile launcher and active protection systems.
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