Argentina to Purchase Stryker M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicles

In a deal estimated to be worth $100 million, the South American strategic partner of the US will purchase nearly 30 vehicles with M2 machine guns, driver’s vision enhancers, vehicle intercom systems, ground and airborne radio systems, and smoke grenade launchers 

According to the US Foreign Military Sales website, the government of Argentina will buy 27 M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million.

The government of Argentina has requested to buy 27 M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and 27 M2 Flex .50 Cal Machine Guns. Also included are AN/VAS-5 Driver’s Vision Enhancers; AN/VIC-3 Vehicle Intercom Systems; AN/VRC-91E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS);); M6 Smoke Grenade launchers and associated spares; OCONUS Contractor-provided training; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $100 million and the prime contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems.

The Stryker is based on the LAV III light-armored vehicle, which in turn was based on the LAV-25 series. The vehicle comes in several variants with a common engine, transmission, hydraulics, wheels, tires, differentials and transfer case. The M1130 Command Vehicle and M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicle have an air conditioning unit mounted on the back. The medical vehicle also has a higher-capacity generator. A recent upgrade program provided a field retrofit kit to add air conditioning units to all variants, and production started in 2005 on the Mobile Gun System mounting an overhead General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) 105 mm automatic gun called the M1128 Mobile Gun System.

For its powerpack, the Stryker uses a Caterpillar diesel engine common in US Army medium-lift trucks, eliminating additional training for maintenance crews and allowing the use of common parts. Because of obsolescence concerns, the Caterpillar 3126 engine was recently replaced by a Caterpillar C7 engine and the Allison 3200SP transmission. Pneumatic or hydraulic systems drive almost all of the vehicle's mechanical features; for example, a pneumatic system switches between 8×4 and 8×8 drive.