During his address at the Infantry Weapon Day ceremony in Córdoba, the Chief of the Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Presti, expressed a firm commitment to acquiring 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicles, with the intention of incorporating the first batch in early 2025.
Lieutenant General Presti elaborated on the 8×8 Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicle (VCBR) project while listing some initiatives for the acquisition and modernization of equipment for the Argentine Army. The purchase of the 8×8 armored vehicle is in advanced development stages after evaluating various candidates, a process that considered factors such as logistics, adaptability, and compatibility.
The Army chief stated that there is a strong commitment to acquiring this equipment, a desire shared by the entire leadership. The goal is for the first units to be integrated into the force by early 2025, suggesting that the selected candidate has short-term availability. The arrival of the VCBRs to the Army will have a significant positive impact, General Presti emphasized.
It is worth noting that a few days ago, Defense Minister Luis Petri also referred to the acquisition of 8×8 VCBRs for the Argentine Army. During the ceremony presenting the new Diamond DA-62 MPP for Army Aviation, the Defense Minister confirmed that the government is aligning future acquisitions with the Argentine Army’s needs, where priorities include 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicles and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
Minister Petri stated that the acquisition of 8×8 armored vehicles has been a long-standing requirement of the Army. “…We are on our way because we know it is an urgent need for the Argentine Army,” Petri said on September 12.
Although no official details have been provided yet regarding the leading candidates for the 8×8 VCBR project, Zona Militar has reported that the models generating the most interest are the GDLS Stryker/NZLAV/LAV III and the Pandur II 8×8 EVO. The latter has gained consideration in recent months due to a joint offer highlighting several advantages of its modern design.
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