TAM (Tanque Mediano Argentine) The TAM was designed by the West German firm of Thyssen Henschel to meet the requirements of the Argentinian Army. The contract alsp included a design requirement for an infantry combat vehicle model which was produced under the final designation VCTP (Vehiculo de Combate Transports de Personal). Production of the conventionally armoured TAM medium tank commenced in Argentina in the late seventies but was curtailed in the early eighties because of the country's serious financial difficulties which caused approximately
30% of the tanks built to be put directly into war stowage reserve by the Argentinian Army. The TAM chassis and powerpack system are based on those used in the Marder ICV. The main armament, however, is a two axis stabilised locally developed 105 mm rifled tank gun with bore evacuator and thermal sleeve. The gun fires all the NATO standard 105 mm ammunition types, The fire control system is of the coincidence rangefinder sight type and is operated by the commander.The gunner and loader also
Argentina have their observation sight systems, A night driving capability is provided. A prototype conversion to an ARV variant, the VCRT.was made n 1987 but not produced. A self-propelled howitzer, the VGA 155, using an Italian made Palmaria type turret housing a 155 mm howitzer and a lengthened TAM Chassis has also been produced to the prototype stage with a number of turrets awaiting to be fitted. Other multiple rocket launcher carrier prototypes have also been produced but not taken to the production phase, Thyssen Henschel has also built a private
