Argentina receives first M1126 Stryker ICV infantry carrier vehicles from the U.S..

Argentina received its first M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles at the Port of Zárate on November 25, 2025, completing the initial shipment of eight units ordered earlier in the year.

On November 25, 2025, the Argentine Army received its first M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles (ICVs) from the United States at the Port of Zárate in Buenos Aires Province, initiating the first stage of a modernization process that includes the transfer of eight vehicles ordered on July 2, 2025, with a potential demand of up to 207 units over the long term. These ICVs were transferred to personnel for inspection and technical processing before their formal presentation scheduled for December 3, 2025, at the Boulogne barracks near Buenos Aires, as part of the current national effort to increase the mobility and protection of the land forces.
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The Stryker entered U.S. Army service in 2002 as a central component of medium brigades designed to bridge the operational gap between heavy tracked formations and lighter units with reduced protection. (Picture source: Argentine Army)

The Army noted that the Strykers delivered were shipped only after Argentine personnel from the Xma Brigada Mecanizada had completed relevant training cycles, including instruction at Joint Base Lewis McChord and other U.S. Army training sites. All knowledge obtained abroad, such as operational routines, maintenance procedures, and driving techniques, will now be replicated in Argentina to establish a domestic core capable of instructing future crews. On November 11, 2025, another group composed of four non-commissioned officer drivers and one officer began training on the M1126 Stryker, focusing on driving procedures, safety checks, and first echelon maintenance, directly on the vehicles that would later be incorporated into Argentine service. Representing a significant step in the implementation phase of the government’s modernization initiative, these Strykers will support upcoming operational and training activities following their entry into service.

Argentina’s path toward acquiring the Stryker began with the government’s broader modernization program aimed at replacing aging armored vehicles such as the M113 with vehicles offering higher mobility and improved survivability across all types of terrain. Over the past years, Argentine authorities prioritized agreements that increased interoperability with international partners, including training exchanges that exposed Argentine personnel to systems widely used by allied forces. This program was formalized on July 2, 2025, when Argentina signed an agreement for an initial batch of eight Strykers with the possibility of increasing the total to 207 units. The Argentine Army then selected personnel from the Xma Brigada Mecanizada and other units to travel to the United States to be trained on driving, maintenance, and tactical employment. These steps formed a foundation for domestic training programs that will be expanded with the arrival of additional vehicles, as part of a broader national defense modernization plan that also includes several F-16 fighter jets.

The Argentine Army states that the purpose of the M1126 Stryker ICV is to improve its tactical mobility and provide a protected transport for infantry across diverse environments, including urban areas, rural regions, and difficult terrain where current fleets face limitations. The ICV is intended to form part of standardized mechanized brigades that can operate with greater speed, flexibility, and coordination, benefiting from modern digital layouts and modular configurations. As the fleet expands, Strykers are expected to support roles such as troop transport, reconnaissance, command and control, and medical evacuation, enabling the Army to reorganize part of its force around a common 8x8 chassis. The vehicles are also positioned to enhance interoperability with foreign forces, especially during peacekeeping operations and combined exercises. The Army plans to replicate U.S. training models in Argentina to create the first domestic cadre of drivers, gunners, and maintainers capable of supporting full fleet integration. This platform also provides a basis for exploring additional variants if future procurement phases are approved.

Produced by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, the Stryker was developed from the Canadian LAV III and entered U.S. Army service in 2002 as a central component of medium brigades designed to bridge the operational gap between heavy tracked formations and lighter units with reduced protection. Initially conceived under the U.S. Army’s Interim Armored Vehicle program, the Stryker family now includes numerous variants such as the M1126 infantry carrier, M1127 reconnaissance, M1129 mortar carrier, M1130 command post, M1131 fire support, M1132 engineer, M1133 medical evacuation, and M1134 anti-tank guided missile, each configured for specialized tasks. Past variants include the M1128 Mobile Gun System, which mounted a 105 millimeter gun, while current modernization programs include the M1296 Dragoon infantry fighting configuration armed with a 30 millimeter cannon, as well as double V hull A1 versions that incorporate enhanced protection engines and electrical power generation.

The M1126 Stryker ICVs delivered to Argentina measure 6.985 meters in length, 2.717 meters in width, and 2.641 meters in height, for a weight of 17.236 kilograms. They use an 8x8 traction system supported by hydropneumatic independent suspension to improve cross-country stability, reduce structural stress, and maintain consistent wheel-to-ground contact. Power is provided by a Caterpillar C7 diesel engine identical to those already used in Oshkosh vehicles of the Xma Brigada Mecanizada, thus simplifying logistics and parts compatibility. With a fuel capacity of 190 liters, the M1126 possesses a range of over 500 kilometers, and the maximum speed exceeds 100 kilometers per hour on roads. Carrying two crew members and nine soldiers with equipment, the M1126 Stryker is armed with a remote weapon station capable of mounting light and heavy machine guns or automatic grenade launchers plus smoke grenade dischargers. The Stryker's modular armor could withstand fire from automatic weapons as well as certain explosive and fragmentation threats, with the possibility of adding further protective kits if required by future needs.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.