According to information published by the InfoDefensa website on May 1, 2021, the Army of Argentina has launched public tenders to acquire spare parts for the modernization of the TAM medium tank.
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Argentine Army TAM Medium tank. (Picture source Internet)
The TAM is a medium tank developed and designed by the German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme to meet the operational requirements of the Argentine Army. The first prototype of the tank was completed in 1976 and was delivered to the Argentine Army in 1979.
According to the military balance 2020, Argentina armed forces have a total of 231 TAM medium tanks. The tank was developed by Germany and Argentina using the tracked chassis of the German-made Marder IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle).
The latest upgraded version of the TAM medium tank is fitted with a three-man turret armed with a Rheinmetall Rh-105-30 105 mm cannon. The gun can fire the M735A1 armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot, high-explosive anti-tank rounds, high-explosive squash head, and smoke ammunition. The second armament of the TAM includes one coaxial 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun and a second FN MAG is mounted on the TAM's turret roof.
The TAM is powered by an MTU MB 833 Ka-500 6-cylinder diesel engine developing 720 hp at 2,400 rpm coupled to a Renk HSWL-204 planetary transmission with 4 speeds forward and reverse. The tank can reach a maximum road speed of 75 km/h with a maximum range of 590 km or 940 km with additional fuel drums mounted at the rear of the hull.
In March 2013, the first upgraded TAM Medium tank was delivered to Argentine Army under the name of TAM 2C. It was modernized by the Israeli Company Elbit Systems with many features including a thermal imager for the gunner and commander, a thermal sleeve for the barrel, and an auxiliary power unit to provide power to critical systems when the main engine is off and reduce fuel consumption while idling.
In 2015, the Argentine army has tested a new modernized version of its TAM medium tank which was called TAM 2IP. This upgrade was also developed in Israel by Elbit Systems. This version is fitted with an add-on armor kit, a new fire control system, and new sights. The ballistic profile of the appliqué armor was improved and includes extra protection for the turret on all sides, as well as the sides and front of the chassis.
