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Argentina Plans to Acquire 72 Self-Propelled Artillery Units to Modernize Army Firepower.
Argentina’s Ministry of Defense has proposed the acquisition of 72 self-propelled artillery systems in its 2026–2028 investment plan. The move signals a rare, large-scale push to rebuild the country’s ground combat strength after years of limited modernization.
On October 30, 2025, Argentina’s Ministry of Defense presented to Congress its 2026–2028 investment plan, outlining a significant step toward renewing the Army’s artillery capabilities. The document is based on official annexes published by argentina.gob.ar, confirms the planned incorporation of 72 artillery combat vehicles for the Armored Artillery Groups No. 1, 2, 9, and 10. The project reflects Buenos Aires’ broader effort to rebuild its land-based firepower after decades of underinvestment. Amid growing regional modernization trends, this program marks one of the few concrete modernization goals included in Argentina’s official defense budget.
Argentina’s Army is evaluating modern 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, including the Israeli ATMOS and Swiss-upgraded M109 KAWEST, to renew its artillery fleet (Picture Source: U.S. Army/ Philippine Army)
According to the official annex “Anexo PNIP 2026–2028” published by the Ministry of Defense, the acquisition of 72 self-propelled artillery vehicles represents a key investment within Argentina’s future force structure. The program aims to equip the four Armored Artillery Groups with new systems to replace aging platforms, many of which have been in service for over 40 years. No official document specifies the cost, platform type, or timeline, but the commitment to renew armored fire-support units is clearly outlined in the government’s multi-year planning document.
The plan does not yet identify which systems will be procured, though previous internal evaluations by the Argentine Army have compared several 155 mm platforms, including the Israeli ATMOS and the American M109. While some reports suggest that this combination emerged as a preferred solution after technical assessments, no official recommendation or acquisition contract has been made public. Defense officials have also refrained from confirming whether negotiations with manufacturers have started.
Unofficial information circulating in local defense circles and online forums has mentioned figures of up to 76 units and an estimated budget of around US $160 million. However, these numbers do not appear in the Ministry’s published documents or in any congressional submission. Experts caution that such claims remain speculative until formal procurement procedures are initiated and corresponding allocations are recorded in the public investment annex.
The artillery modernization initiative follows other efforts by the Argentine government to enhance operational readiness through selective acquisitions such as F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and new radar infrastructure. These programs, though modest in scale, indicate a policy shift toward restoring minimal combat readiness across all branches while maintaining fiscal restraint.
Argentina’s official defense plan for 2026–2028 confirms the intent to renew its artillery capability with 72 self-propelled vehicles, marking a rare instance of continuity in military investment policy. While discussions about system types and costs remain speculative, the inclusion of the project in the national investment annex signals that Buenos Aires recognizes the urgent need to rebuild credible deterrence and align with regional modernization efforts. Whether the initiative translates into an actual procurement will depend on political will, budget execution, and sustained support from the Army’s leadership.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.