Description
The Tanque Argentino Mediano ("Argentine Medium Tank"), or TAM, is the main battle tank in service with the Argentine Army. Lacking the experience and resources to design a tank, the Argentine Ministry of Defense contracted German company Thyssen-Henschel. The vehicle was developed by a German and Argentine team of engineers, and was based on the chassis of the German Marder infantry fighting vehicle. The TAM met the Argentine Army's requirement for a modern light-weight and fast tank with a low silhouette and sufficient firepower to defeat contemporary armored threats. Development began in 1974 and resulted in the construction of three prototypes by early 1977 and full-scale production by 1979. Assembly took place at the local 9,600 meters squared TAMSE plant, founded for the purpose by the Argentine government. Economic difficulties halted to production in 1983, but manufacturing began anew in 1994 until the army's order of 200 tanks was fulfilled.

Variants :
TAM VCA : ambulance version
TAM VCA 155 : self-propelled howitzer with Palmaria turret 155mm gun
TAM VCCDT : Artillery command post
TAM VCDA : anti-aircraft armoured vehicle with 30 mm or 35 mm guns
TAM VCLC : rocket launcher system vehicle
TAM VCLM : sol-air missile system Roland 2
TAM VCLP : bridge layer vehicle
TAM VCPC : command post VCTP infantry armoured vehicle
TAM VCRT : armoured recovery vehicle
TAM VCTM : mortar carrier
TAM VCTP : armoured infantry fighting vehicle with 20 mm gun.

Armament
The TAM Light Tank is armed with the L7A2 105-mm Rifled Gun, stabilized in both planes. Gun's barrel is completed with a very effective muzzle-brake, thermal sleeve, and ejection device. This gun fires all 105-mm NATO standards compatible projectiles. Ammunition load consists from 50 projectiles. 20 of them are placed in the turret, while remaining - in the hull. Additional armament consists from the MG-3 7.62-mm Machine Gun coaxially mounted with the main gun. One more similar machine gun can be mounted over the commander's turret to defend from air and ground targets. Smoke grenade launchers are mounted from the both sides of the turret.
Protection

The hull and the turret are welded from steel armor plates. Frontal armor of the hull and the turret protects from up to 40-mm armor-piercing projectiles, board armor - from firearm bullets. Hull's boards and chassis are covered with a steel anti-cumulative screens. Furthermore front arranged engine and transmission serve as additional protection for the combat compartment.
Propulsion
The TAM is powered with the MB883 Ka-500 6-cylinder diesel engine. It is developed by German "MTU" company and reaches a maximum power of 70 hp. under 2 400 rpm. It is made in one block with HSWL-204 hydro-mechanic transmission, designed by German company "Renk". Planetary gearbox provides 4 forward and 4 backward gears. Chassis use individual, torsion suspension. There are 6 rubbered wheels and 3 supporting rolls from the each side. The first, second, fifth, and sixth wheels are completed with hydraulic absorbers. TAM is completed with tracks, similar to the "Marder" Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Tracks feature internal and external rubber run course. Furthermore track is fitted with dismountable rubber pads
Accessories
On cross-country terrain it manages 60º slopes, 0.9 meter height vertical step, 2.9 meter wide trenches. Tank fords 1.4 meter depth water obstacles without preparation and up to 4 meters with an underwater driving equipment. The TAM is also equipped with fire control system, sight and optical rangefinder, ballistic computer. TAM is completed with air filtering device, fire prevention means, heater and radio equipment.

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