The TAM 2C Medium Tank is an upgraded version of the TAM (Tanque Argentino Mediano) Medium Tank who was developed by the German company Rheinmetall Landsysteme (then Henschel Wehrtechnik) to meet the operational requirements of the Argentine Army. Development of the new TAM 2C was performed by Argentine Army Research, Development work on the TAM 2C upgrade was carried out by the Argentine Army Research, Development and Production Directorate in collaboration with Israelis companies Elbit Systems, IMI, and Tadiran. After the first prototype was delivered to Argentina, the development was continued by Argentine company TAMSE and introduced more than 1,450 modifications to production vehicles. The Argentine MoD has emitted a contract in 2010 to modernize the TAM Medium Tank, such funding was expected to allow the upgrade of up to 138 tanks, while the remaining “old” TAM Medium Tank would be possibly upgraded in a future contract. First prototype of the TAM 2C was completed in 2013 and final contract between Argentina and Israeli Ministry of Defense was signed mid-2015. The modernization of the TAM 2C mainly focused on FCS, 105mm gun stabilization and commanders/gunners optics which could allow the TAM Medium Tank to detect and engage targets under almost any weather conditions, day/night and improving first hit probability.
At the rear of the hull an auxilary power unit (APU) has been fitted. This reduces fuel consumption and allows operating the tanks electrical systems when the main engine is turned off, which can be extremely beneficial for ambushes. The APU is located at the exterior of the tank and apparently lacks any sort of proper armor, making it vulnerable to even small arms fire. This reduces fuel consumption and allows operating the tanks electrical systems when the main engine is turned off, which can be extremely beneficial for ambushes. T Night vision for driver is provided by a camera sight added onto the tank’s hull. It is probably fitted with a thermal imager or an LLTV image intensifier (low-level light TV). The TAM 2C includes a new thermal sleeve, which will reduce the temperature influences on the barrel and thus will increase accuracy.
A new comman the COAPS sight from Elbit Systems has replaced the earlier PERI RITA. Compared to the earlier PERI RITA this enhances the night vision and enables faster hunter/killer operations, however the lack of a proper optical daysight is a disadvantage due to the lower image quality of a digital sensor. The gunner’s sight is also replaced with a newer model from Elbit Systems, it appears to be a variation of the gunner’s sight of Elbit’s Thermal Imaging Fire Control System (TIFCS). The sight includes at least an optical day-channel, an eyesafe laser rangefinder and a thermal imager, although there is also an option for incorporating a CCD camera. This new FCS allows the tank to accurately fire on the move, something the original TAM could not achieve. On a small mast ontop of the turret a laser warning system (LWS) made by Elbit is installed. This can provide up to 360° coverage and react to laser beams and in some cases can also pinpoint radar/RF sources.
TAM has been fitted with new armor elements from Isreali Military Industries, Iron Wall armor. Iron Wall is a type of applique armor designed primarily to increase protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosively formed penetrators (EFPs) and self-formed fragmentation charges. It consists of composite materials and metal to offer a higher protection per weight than steel armor. The thickness of Iron Wall typically ranges from 110 to 150 milimetres, the areal density from 200 to 230 kilograms per m². Iron Wall fullfills the STANAG 4569 level 4 requirement for protection against kinetic energy penetrators such as AP and APDS ammunition. This means it cannot be penetrated by 14.5 mm AP ammunition from relatively close ranges (200 metres), which can penetrate about 32 to 38 mm of steel armor at point blank.
The TAM 2C Medium Tank is powered by a MTU MB 833 Ka-500 6-cylinder diesel motor developing 720 hp and is coupled to a Renk HSWL-204 transmission. The MTU diesel power pack is mounted to the right of the driver, with a trap door on the right to allow access to the motor for maintenance. The torsion bar suspension on either side consists of six dual rubber road wheels, with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear and three track-return rollers. The first, second, third and sixth road wheel stations are provided with hydraulic shock-absorbers. The TAM 2C Medium Tank can run at a maximum speed of 75 km/h. It has a maximum range of 940 km. The tank can climb up to 60% gradient, move on 30% side slope, cross a trench of maximum 2,5m, vertical obstacle of 1m and fording depth of 1,20m without preparation or 4m being prepared with a snorkel.
