Patagón

The "Patagón" tank is a light tank developed in Argentina during the early 2000s, that was expected to enter service with the Argentine Army. It is based on a SK-105 Kürassier chassis with a refurbished AMX-13 turret. The project was cancelled in late 2008 after five tanks were converted.

Development

In 2003 the Argentine Army defined goals for increasing its capabilities, among them nationalizing the manufacturing of its equipment; the VC SK-105 "Patagón" tank upgrade project was part of that effort. It was planned to convert and upgrade up to 40 vehicles at an expected cost of USD 23,4 million in the period 2005-2009; these vehicles were going to be assembled in Comodoro Rivadavia and provided to the army units based in Patagonia.

The vehicle is composed of a SK-105 Kürassier chassis which mounts a refurbished FL-12 oscillating turret armed with a 105 mm gun, obtained from obsolete AMX-13 tanks. Both vehicles were in service with the Argentine Army in the early 2000s. Most of the Patagón technical specifications are similar to the SK-105.

The Patagón prototype was unveiled on 22 November 2005; however the project was cancelled in late 2008, as it was considered uneconomical.

Production As of late 2014 four units have been completed, in addition to the prototype unveiled in 2005.

Operators Argentine ArmyThe Military Balance 2010; Page 175.

See also Nahuel DL 43 – Medium tank developed by Argentina during the Second World War. Tanque Argentino Mediano - Medium tank developed by Argentina during the 1970s, in use by the Argentine Army since the early 1980s.

Footnotes

References Notes

Sources Online Patagón: el tanque de fabricación argentina que fue presentado ayer - DERF Agencia Federal de Noticias, November 2005 Online article about the unveiling of the Patagón prototype Argentine Army tank assembly plant in Comodoro - MercoPress, November 2005 Online article about the unveiling of the Patagón prototype and production plans in Comodoro Rivadavia Argentina abandona el proyecto de blindado Patagón – Infodefensa, December 2008 Online article about the cancellation of the Patagón project Bibliographical

Patagón

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