The Chilean Army is negotiating the purchase of tanks Leopard 2A5

02/04/2013

(Infodefensa.com) L. Vasquez, Santiago, Chile - The Chilean Army is negotiating the purchase of one hundred Leopard 2 A5 tanks, surplus stocks from the German government, said Infodefensa Chile qualified sources close to the force.

The tanks are necessary to maintain the operational capabilities of the armored brigades deployed in northern Chile, where vehicles should undergo more frequent maintenance due to the environmental conditions of the region.

The negotiation also includes the provision of modernization kits to raise the same standard A5 to eighty of the nearly one hundred eighty Leopard 2 A4 acquired between 2005 and 2007, as well as a number of other engines and replacement components.

According to sources, though the negotiations forward and materialize the acquisition of the Leopard 2 A5 and upgrade kits, will be dropped from the eighties Dutch Leopard 1 V ex still in service in southern Chile, to be replaced by Leopard 2 A4.

The same sources confirmed that the operation of the Leopard A4 in northern Chile, particularly around the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, characterized by a powder called "Chusca" high capacity-abrasive and corrosive due to its acid-metal composition has imposed heavy maintenance requirements on the three armored brigades (BRIACOR) deployed in the region.

According to information, the above conditions have reduced the time between major maintenance tanks only one-third of schedule by the manufacturer KMW for Europe. Against this, it was determined that it is necessary to have a number of additional tanks for replacement units sent to maintenance, in order to maintain enrollment levels of BRIACOR.