Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (Famae) and Aselsan, a Turkish company, have formalized a contract to upgrade the Leopard 2A4 tanks currently utilized by the Chilean Army.
This decision came after an exhaustive evaluation of both administrative and technical facets during a comprehensive bidding process.
The collaboration promises a transfer of technology and expertise from Aselsan, fostering Famae’s capacity and ensuring ongoing maintenance for the tanks, thereby lengthening their operational life.
The agreement caters to the unique requirements of the Chilean Army, factoring in the country’s geographical context and the project’s budget.
This upgrade ensures the reliable availability of these strategically significant armored units, benefiting both training endeavors and mission-critical operations.
Initiated in 2018, the Proaco project aimed to modernize the fire control system of the Leopard 2A4 tanks and revamp the observation and targeting system of the Marder 1A3 tanks.
Famae was appointed in 2020 to execute the Proaco project, as it specializes in integrating weapons systems and providing comprehensive maintenance.
In 2021, Famae commissioned the upgrade of Marder 1A3’s sighting system to OIP Land Systems, and the fire control system of M109 howitzers to Servicios y Soluciones Tecnológicas S.A., a Famae subsidiary.
Aselsan is also providing the internal communications for these vehicles.
The project includes creating and validating modernization prototypes, with subsequent phased upgrades for the Leopard 2A4 and Marder 1A3 tanks.