The Uruguayan Army has announced the arrival of a new batch of 4×4 Oshkosh M-ATV armored vehicles and 6×6 MTVR Mk23 trucks from the United States. In total, 11 units arrived at the Port of Montevideo as part of the ongoing modernization process of the Army’s land vehicle fleet.
According to information released by the Uruguayan Army, the new batch consists of seven MTVR Mk23 trucks and four 4×4 Oshkosh M-ATV armored vehicles. The MTVRs correspond to the utility version of the 6×6 truck manufactured by Oshkosh for the U.S. Marine Corps, while the M-ATVs are of the M1240A1 variant, belonging to the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) family of armored vehicles developed to replace the tactical 4×4 HMMWVs during the Iraq and Afghanistan occupations.
“…This new shipment adds to the first batch received in May, which included six armored combat vehicles and six trucks. In total, during 2025, the Force has received 23 vehicles…,” stated the Uruguayan Army in a Facebook post. With this new delivery, the Uruguayan Army now operates a total of 10 M-ATVs and 12 MTVR Mk23 trucks.
It is worth noting that Uruguay and the United States agreed on an order for 36 4×4 M-ATV armored vehicles and 60 6×6 MTVR trucks — a quantity that represents a significant improvement in the Uruguayan Army’s ground fleet capabilities. As part of its modernization and re-equipment efforts, the institution recently incorporated a first batch of fifteen Marruá AM11 4×4 tactical vehicles and two Marruá AM23 4×4 ambulances. The arrival of these vehicles is part of a contract for 89 units, with deliveries expected to be completed in the early months of 2026.
Oshkosh M-ATV and MTVR Trucks
The Oshkosh M-ATV was conceived under the urgent requirement for a 4×4 MRAP vehicle, an initiative aimed at acquiring a 12-ton light armored vehicle with greater maneuverability than previous models. This improvement was designed so that the vehicle could be effectively used in combat operations within restricted environments such as the rural and mountainous areas of Afghanistan.
For the M-ATV, Oshkosh wisely used the chassis of the well-known MTVR truck, which has been in service with the U.S. Marine Corps since the 1990s. Key features include the TAK-4 independent suspension system and a widely used powerplant across the U.S. Armed Forces, simplifying logistics and maintenance.
By securing this contract, Oshkosh not only ensured its participation in the MRAP program but also gained a significant advantage in the JLTV program, which was established to replace the extensive family of 4×4 HMMWV High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Over the years, M-ATVs have proven the effectiveness of their design on the battlefields of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine, among others.
As for the 6×6 Oshkosh MTVR Mk23 trucks, these are designed for cargo and personnel transport, with a payload capacity of 7 tons off-road and 15 tons on highways. Conceived in the 1990s as replacements for the 5-ton M939 and M809 truck families used by the Marines, the Oshkosh MTVRs are powered by an 11.9-liter, six-cylinder Caterpillar C-12 diesel engine producing 425 hp. The powerplant is coupled to a seven-speed Allison automatic transmission. The MTVRs feature outstanding off-road capability thanks to the Oshkosh TAK-4 suspension system, similar to that of the M-ATV.
Images: Uruguayan Army
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