The Argentine Army is in a process of evaluating vehicles from the American company Oshkosh Defense with the objective of incorporating a 4×4 reconnaissance armored vehicle for the Brigades that make up the Rapid Deployment Force. The advances in this initiative, as well as the intention to expand the fleet of medium and heavy logistical campaign vehicles from the North American manufacturer, were confirmed to Zona Militar in a recent interview with the Chief of the General Staff of the Argentine Army, Lieutenant General Carlos Alberto Presti.
In relation to a 4×4 reconnaissance vehicle, the head of the Argentine Army told Zona Militar that the Force is looking at two models from Oshkosh Defense. Although Lieutenant General Presti did not provide greater details regarding the armored vehicles of interest, it could be the L-ATV, the JLTV, or even the M-ATV. It is worth noting that the latter correspond to the family of MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) armored vehicles, a model that was conceived under the parameters of a light, maneuverable, and protected platform to face the threats of improvised explosive devices and mines in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“…We are looking for the possibility of having vehicles with protection for our reconnaissance elements, fundamentally in the different Rapid Deployment Brigades…There are two models we are looking at from Oshkosh…”, confirmed the Chief of the Argentine Army to Zona Militar.
This news goes hand in hand with the important progress the Argentine Army has made to initiate the incorporation of the 8×8 Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicles (VCBR) Stryker M1126. The institution expects the first four units to arrive in Argentine territory during the month of November, with a second batch of four other units to be incorporated in the first quarter of 2026.
This first batch of 8 VCBR Stryker M1126 represents a notable step for the Argentine Army, as the initial endowment allows starting the logistical and operational life cycle of the future Wheeled Medium Mechanized Brigade from a scalable base. According to the project details, “…the investment includes only 8 VCBR M1126 Personnel Carrier version, with an engine compatible with means already in service, initial spare parts kit, maintenance tools and training courses…”.
Oshkosh 4×4 reconnaissance vehicles for the Argentine Army
From what the head of the Argentine Army expressed, the Force is evaluating two models of vehicles from the Oshkosh Defense company for the niche of a 4×4 armored vehicle for reconnaissance. Currently, the firm offers the Light Combat Tactical – All Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV), a 4×4 conceived to participate in the competition for the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) program of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.
In its portfolio, Oshkosh Defense also has the JLTV. As mentioned, it is a 4×4 armored vehicle that was developed using the L-ATV to replace the HMMWVs of the U.S. Armed Forces. With an initial requirement for almost 64,000 of these vehicles, the JLTV has also been exported to 8 countries, including Brazil.
Finally, Oshkosh Defense also offers the M-ATV (MRAP- All Terrain Vehicle), which was conceived within the framework of the urgent requirement for a 4×4 MRAP vehicle. This initiative sought to acquire for the U.S. Armed Forces a light armored vehicle of 12 tons, with better maneuverability compared to previous MRAP models, designed so that the vehicle could be used in combat operations in restricted environments such as the rural and mountainous areas of Afghanistan.
It is worth noting that the M-ATV could also be offered second-hand by the U.S., since its Armed Forces acquired more than 9,000 units, many of which were sold or ceded to third countries. One of the most recent examples is the National Army of Uruguay, a Force that plans to incorporate 36 M-ATV units along with 60 6×6 trucks from the Oshkosh MTVR family.
The incorporation of new 4×4 reconnaissance vehicles like those mentioned would not only be a leap in capabilities in terms of protection, but also opens the door to diverse considerations due to the very nature of the platforms offered by Oshkosh Defense. Analyzing it within the framework of the FDR, this points directly to the Xth Mechanized Brigade and, why not, to the IV Airborne Brigade and the Special Operations Force Grouping. In the latter case, as a replacement for the very veteran Glover Tacticas.
*Cover image for illustrative purposes. Credits: US Army – Sgt Nathaniel Free
*Original text written in Spanish by Carlos Borda Bettolli
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