TAM

   The TAM or Tanque Argentino Mediano (Argentinean medium tank) is considered a light tank. In early 1970s a contract was awarded to German Thyssen-Henschel to develop a 30-tonne tank, armed with a 105-mm gun and an infantry fighting vehicle (VCTP) with as much common components as possible. Production commenced in 1976 in Argentina. Out of 500 TAMs and VCTPs initially planned only 350 were built due to budget cuts.

   Design of the TAM light tank resembles that of  German Marder 1 infantry fighting vehicle.

   Front armor protects from up to 40-mm armor-piercing rounds, all-round protection is against small arms bullets. Engine is located in front of the hull, thus adding protection.

   The TAM is fitted with a fully-stabilized L7A2 105-mm rifled gun. It fires all standard NATO 105-mm munitions. Vehicle carries a total of 50 rounds, 20 of them are located in the turret, while remaining are stored inside the hull.

   Secondary armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is coaxially mounted with the main gun, while the other is mounted on top of the roof.

   Vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   The TAM light tank is powered by German MTU MB-883 Ka500 diesel engine, developing 720 horsepower. Vehicle is fitted with a deep wading kit, enabling to ford water obstacles up to 4 meters deep. It can carry additional fuel tanks for extended operational range.

   Variants

   VCTP infantry fighting vehicle;

   VCA 155-mm self-propelled howitzer, fitted with turret of Italian Palmaria;

   VCTM 120-mm self-propelled mortar;

   VCPC command vehicle;

   VCLC-CAL and VCLC-CAM 160- and 350-mm multiple launch rocket systems, prototypes only;

   VCRT armored recovery vehicle, prototype only.

   Further development of the TAM by Thyssen Henschel has resulted in the TH301 which has a number of improvements including new fire control system and more powerful engine.