RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Government of Uruguay is currently in negotiations to transfer about 60 M1117 ASV (Armored Security Vehicle) armored vehicles from US inventories. The units would be paid for with GPOI (Global Peace Operations Initiative) funds, administered by the U.S. State Department.
The transaction is valued at approximately US$7 million, and negotiations have been underway for several years, with an original order placed by Uruguay for Humvee armored vehicles, which has evolved into the current negotiations for the versatile M1117.
Although the negotiations are well advanced, until a few months ago, some aspects were still to be ironed out, especially regarding the additional equipment that would be transferred with the vehicles.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARMORED VEHICLES
The M1117 are 4×4 vehicles, with Cummins 6CTA8 260 hp engine, Alisson MD3560 transmission, expandable modular armor resistant to small arms fire, and good protection against improvised explosive devices, mines, and attacks with RPG type grenade launchers.
The armored vehicle has a turret similar to the one fitted on the AVGP Grizzly used by Uruguay, with the difference that it is equipped with a .50 machine gun and an automatic grenade launcher instead of the .50 and 7.62mm machine gun combination of the Uruguayan vehicles.
URGENT NEED
Uruguay urgently needs modern vehicles to replace its armored forces deployed in peacekeeping missions, particularly in the Golan Heights, where exposure to improvised explosive devices and mines is much higher than in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In addition, UN requirements regarding the age and characteristics of vehicles deployed in peacekeeping missions have rendered all of Uruguay’s armored vehicles ineligible due to their age.
The reimbursements for the use of material paid by the United Nations to Uruguay are essential for the maintenance and modernization of its Armed Forces, so if this income were to be lost, a profound crisis of material and resources would be generated. The receipt of these armored vehicles, besides allowing the modernization of part of the Uruguayan armored fleet, will also allow the continuation of the deployments under the UN flag, receiving the total financial reimbursements vital for the country.
With information from InfoDefensa