Tanque Argentino Mediano

History

The Argentinian government appealed, in 1974, at the German firm Thyssen Henschel to develop the vehicle and to put in place the production unit at Buenos Aires.

Thyssen Henschel was pressed on the fighting vehicle of infantry Marder which equips the Bundeswehr to conceive the TAM. The family ties are obvious so much the two machines resemble themselves, they divide the same case and the same train of bearing while the turret resembles that of the Char Leopard 1.

The Argentinian Armée wished to have a complete family of very protected armoured tanks, in the middle which a tank was. However for reasons which are due to the geography and the road Infrastructure of the country, the acquisition of a traditional Char of battle heavy of 40-60 ton S could not be considered. Limit of mass being located around 30 tons.

The three prototypes were delivered in 1976 and 1977. The trial run was held initially in West Germany, before the materials are not delivered in Argentina for a complete operational evaluation.

Argentina then ordered 200 gun tanks of 105 mm and 300 VCI. These armoured tanks were to replace the Sherman M4 and the Half-track S of the Second world war.

Starting from delivered components of Germany, the production started into 1979 under the supervision of the TAMSE, industrial engineering in charge of the production of these armoured tanks, in Buenos Aires, for the frames, and with Rio Tercero, where the turrets were assembled. In fact the total production of family TAM was only of 270 materials.

A modernization program of the TAM was launched, then quickly stopped because of the budgetary difficulties recurring which Argentina knows.

It was useful at the time of internal disorders (fight antiguérilla and Coup d'etat) but no TAM did not take part in the Guerre of the Falklands and the only deployment abroad was the sending of some specimens to the Kosovo under the command of KFOR.

Characteristics

The Tourelle carries a gun Rheinmetall L7A2 of 105 mm stabilized out of 2 axes, allowing the Tir in movement and carries 50 Obus of 105 mm and 6.000 cartridges of 7,62 X 51 mm NATO for 2 Mitrailleuse S MG3.

This tank can cross a Gué of 1,40 m without supplement of equipment, if it equipped with it, it will be able to pass a ford of 2,25 m, and with a Schnorchel a ford of 4 Mr.

It can climb a Pente of 60%.

Its tank S receives 650 Liter S of Mazout, which gives him a autonomy of 550 km. It can have 2 additional reserves in the shape of barrel located at the back of the vehicle and not resting on the hull. Its autonomy can reach 900 km then.

Versions and projects

TAM (tank with a gun de105 mm): 136 specimens
VCTP (VCI with a gun of 20 mm): 106 ex
VCPC (version headquarters): 15 ex
VCTM (carries mortar of 120 mm): 13 ex
VCRT (tank of breakdown service): 1 prototype
Command vehicles of artillery: 6 prototypes
multiple Rocket launchers of 160 mm: 1 prototype
Ambulance: project without continuation
VCA 155 (Howitzer of 155 mm): without opening continuation
Bridge of attack: without continuation
Lance Ground-to-air missile: without continuation

External bonds

TAM TAMSE on www.armyrecognition.com
TAM on Enemyforces

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