TSAMTO, July 24. The Turkish company Aselsan has been selected as a strategic partner for the implementation of the modernization project of the Leopard-2A4 main battle tank fleet of the Land Forces of Chile.
As reported by Infodefensa.com, the corresponding agreement with Aselsan was signed on July 14 after the competitive procedure. The main contractor of the project in Chile will be the local company Fabricas y Maestranzas del Ejercito (FAMAE).
The project is part of the "Proaco" program, promoted since 2018 by the Office of Land Forces Projects and Research (DIPRIDE), to solve the problems of technological and logistical obsolescence of the Leopard-2A4 tank fleet, Marder-1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and M-109 self-propelled artillery guns.
In 2020, FAMAE was appointed the main contractor for this program. In 2021, FAMAE commissioned the Belgian OIP Land Systems to modernize the surveillance and aiming systems of the Marder-1A3 BMP, and the subsidiary Servicios y Soluciones Tecnologicas S.A. (S2T) to modernize the fire control system of the M–109 howitzers. Aselsan will provide internal communication for all three of the above types of weapons.
Aselsan has experience in upgrading various tank models, such as Leopard-1, Leopard-2 and M60, which are in service with the Turkish army, as well as the T-72A OBT of the Kazakh army. In addition, the company is currently responsible for the production and integration of electronic systems of the new Altai tank (a version of the South Korean K2).
The key element of the contract signed with Aselsan is the transfer of technology and know-how to FAMAE, which will expand the capabilities of this Chilean company to modernize armored vehicles, and in the future independently continue servicing the Leopard-2A4 fleet.
The project provides for the development of prototypes to test modernization solutions, and after the completion of this stage, it is planned to gradually upgrade the Leopard-2A4 and Marder-1A3 in small batches.
According to the information Infodefensa.com, Aselsan will design, develop and produce all critical elements of modernization, such as the Volkan III fire control system, electric drives for the turret and gun, gunner and commander periscopes, driver review system, combat control system, laser radiation warning system, "friend-foe" identification system, active protection system, remotely controlled weapon system, armor elements.
Aselsan in 2011 offered a modernization package called Leopard 2 Next Generation (NG), similar to the Leopard 2 Revolution introduced by Rheinmetall a year earlier. The solution, which was designed to meet the potential requirements of the Turkish army and other users, included a new fire control system, improved optics and additional tower booking.
Recently, the Directorate of Defense Industry of Turkey (SSB) signed a contract with BMC and Aselsan for the implementation of the first stage of modernization of 81 Leopard-2A4 tanks in Turkey as part of the Tiyk-Leo2A4 project, which includes the integration of modern electronics and increasing the level of ballistic protection of this tank model.
