Argentina’s Armed Forces acquire key ammunition. The country’s defense minister, Jorge Taiana, and Fabricaciones Militares (FMSE) president, Iván Durigón, handed over a significant batch of high-caliber ammunition.
This delivery is part of the Multi-Year Ammunition Acquisition Plan and signifies FMSE’s return to producing such items after an eight-year hiatus.
The batch included high-caliber ammunition for 120 mm mortars, 105 mm artillery for OTO Melara cannons, and 105 mm rockets for SLAM Pampero.
Additionally, 3,610,000 rounds of 7.62 x 51 mm and 560,000 rounds of 9 x 19 mm ammunition were delivered to the Armed Forces.
The defense minister emphasized the importance of Argentina having defensive and strategic military capabilities, achieved by recovering the military capabilities and skills of the Armed Forces.
Iván Durigón noted that capabilities had been regained in infrastructure and personnel who returned to work at Fabricaciones Militares.
FMSE has manufactured the Pampero rocket since 1983, although there was a production gap between 2017 and 2022.
The manufacturing process occurs at the FM Villa María and FM Fray Luis Beltrán facilities.
Pampero rockets are employed by both the Argentine Army’s Multiple Rocket Launchers Artillery Group and attack helicopters.
During the visit, the minister toured the San Lorenzo wheeled vehicle recovery plant, belonging to the Argentine Army.
Inaugurated in February 2023, the plant plays a crucial role in logistical operations for maintaining and supplying arsenals, including weapons, campaign equipment, and ammunition.
It is also dedicated to the comprehensive repair of trucks.
The current goal of this logistical unit is the modernization of 750 Jeep MB230 vehicles, mainly designated for reconnaissance units and command and control activities.
Minister Taiana told the press that the Armed Forces would soon receive new ammunition and have the opportunity to test this material in the coming weeks.
Considering a C-130H Hercules aircraft, registration TC-64, of the Argentine Air Force was recently in southern Israel, it is likely the ammunition referenced is the same as mentioned in a contract signed last December.
This contract was jointly signed with Yair Kulas, head of the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, and refers to the looming ammunition.