When will Argentina receive its modernized tanks?

SANTIAGO, Chile — The Argentine Army will begin receiving its first modernized 2CA2 medium tanks in September, with a dozen to be delivered by year’s end, military sources in Buenos Aires told Defense News.

The more detailed confirmation follows a hint from the president during a June 20 event in the capital. In front of attendees, Argentine President Javier Milei asked Defence Minister Luis Petri: “Is it true that we will have new toys?”

“Yes, Mr. President,” Petri replied. ”We will start receiving the modernized tanks this year.”

The program is expected to be worth $30 million and involve the modernization of 74 of Argentina’s existing 200-plus medium tanks by 2027. The initial budget for this effort is $3 million, but the government plans to allocate more money between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2027, the sources said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the program.

Argentina launched the tank upgrade project in 2010 under a cooperation agreement with Israel where Elbit Systems would provide technological support to the South American country. For its part, Argentine private firms involved in the metal mechanic sector would participate.

The initial budget was approved in 2021, and contracts were finalized by July 2023 following a technical and operational evaluation of the final prototype. Work started in late 2023.

“One of the main priorities of President Javier Milei is rebuilding the capabilities of Argentina’s armed forces, neglected by governments since the 1980s and 1990s, and even more after the financial meltdown of 2000,” according to Emilio Meneses, an independent analyst based in Santiago, Chile.

“Milei wants to make a difference. The recent procurement of F-16s, coupled with the decision to phase out older fighter jets like the A-4AR and the Super Etendard, confirms his priorities — and it is the same with the upgrade of the [medium tank],” Meneses told Defense News.

According to the military sources, the Army would like to modernize up to 50 more medium tanks over those already earmarked in the current program.

What are the upgrades?

The tank modernizations are expected to improve the 2CA2 medium tank’s detection, targeting, engagement and destructive capabilities. To that end, Elbit is providing a new fire control system and associated technology.

The main local subcontractor, IMPSA, which specializes in precision engineering and the production of components for nuclear reactors, is refurbishing and modifying the turrets, replacing the original hydraulic action system with a new, indigenously designed servo-electric version that includes improved stabilization and reaction.

IMPSA is also integrating the new fire control and subsystems provided by Elbit. These include the Israeli firm’s E-LAWS laser warning system, which can simultaneously detect up to 10 threats, establishing an order of priorities for engagement.

Each tank is to receive two COAPS-L sight systems — one for the tank commander position and one for the aimer — fitted with optronics for thermal detection and vision as well as laser range-finding. The systems provide a day and night, all-weather capacity for target acquisition and tracking. The driver position is being fitted with a thermal vision system.

They will also receive a new communications suite, both for internal and external communications, with data transfer capabilities, as well as an auxiliary generator to secure electricity supply for electronic systems.

The tank’s main weapon is not changing; it is currently a Rheinmetall-made RH-105-30 105mm gun, manufactured under license by the local state-owned firm Fabricaciones Militares.

Protection improvements are currently on hold. However, the plan is to use a custom-designed, add-on applique armor proposed by Israeli company IMI, which is now a part of Elbit .

Arsenal Battalion 602, the Army’s main maintenance and support center for mechanized equipment, will use its facilities at Boulogne-Sur-Mer to complete any remaining work, testing and acceptance efforts of the upgraded tanks.

José Higuera is a Latin America correspondent for Defense News.

智利圣地亚哥——布宜诺斯艾利斯的军事消息人士告诉《防务新闻》，阿根廷陆军将于9月开始接收首批现代化2CA2中型坦克，到年底将交付12辆。

更详细的确认源于总统在6月20日于首都举行的一次活动中的暗示。当时，阿根廷总统哈维尔·米莱在与会者面前问国防部长路易斯·佩特里：“我们真的会拥有新的武器装备吗？”

“是的，总统先生，”佩特里回答说，“我们今年将开始接收现代化坦克。”

该项目预计耗资3000万美元，计划在2027年前对阿根廷现有的200多辆中型坦克中的74辆进行现代化改造。消息人士称，该项目的初始预算为300万美元，但政府计划在2025财年至2027财年期间追加拨款。由于未获授权讨论该项目，消息人士要求匿名。

阿根廷于2010年启动了坦克升级项目，该项目是根据与以色列的合作协议进行的，以色列埃尔比特系统公司将为阿根廷提供技术支持。阿根廷的私营金属机械制造企业也将参与其中。

初步预算于2021年获得批准，在对最终原型进行技术和运行评估后，合同于2023年7月最终敲定。工作于2023年底开始。

据智利圣地亚哥的独立分析师埃米利奥·梅内塞斯称，“哈维尔·米莱总统的主要优先事项之一是重建阿根廷武装部队的能力，自 20 世纪 80 年代和 90 年代以来，阿根廷武装部队一直被历届政府忽视，在 2000 年金融危机之后更是如此。”

“米莱希望有所作为。最近采购F-16战斗机，以及逐步淘汰A-4AR和超级军旗等老旧战斗机的决定，都证实了他的优先事项——升级中型坦克也是如此，”梅内塞斯告诉《防务新闻》。

据军方消息人士透露，陆军希望在现有计划已确定的范围内，再对多达 50 辆中型坦克进行现代化改造。

有哪些升级？

此次坦克现代化改造预计将提升2CA2中型坦克的探测、目标定位、交战和摧毁能力。为此，埃尔比特公司将提供一套新的火控系统及相关技术。

当地主要分包商 IMPSA 专门从事精密工程和核反应堆部件的生产，该公司正在翻新和改造转塔，用自主设计的新型伺服电动系统取代原有的液压作用系统，该系统具有改进的稳定性和反应能力。

IMPSA 还整合了埃尔比特公司提供的新型火控系统和子系统。其中包括这家以色列公司的 E-LAWS 激光告警系统，该系统可同时探测多达 10 个威胁目标，并确定交战优先级。

每辆坦克将配备两套COAPS-L瞄准系统——一套用于车长位置，一套用于炮手位置——均配备光电热成像和激光测距功能。这些系统具备全天候、昼夜目标捕获和跟踪能力。驾驶员位置也将配备一套热成像系统。

他们还将获得一套新的通信套件，用于内部和外部通信，具备数据传输功能，以及一台辅助发电机，以确保电子系统的电力供应。

该坦克的主武器没有改变；目前是莱茵金属公司制造的RH-105-30 105毫米炮，由当地国有企业Fabricaciones Militares获得许可生产。

目前防护性能提升计划暂停。不过，计划采用以色列公司IMI（现为Elbit公司的一部分）提出的定制附加式护甲。

陆军机械化装备的主要维护和支持中心——第 602 兵工厂营将利用其位于滨海布洛涅的设施，完成升级坦克的剩余工作、测试和验收工作。

何塞·伊格拉是《防务新闻》拉丁美洲记者。