Chilean Army utilizes Leopard 2A4, Marder 1A3, and M109 in the Tarapacá maneuvers

The Chilean Army, as reported by the institution, aimed to assess the battle readiness of armored units within a limited time span during a field training exercise (FTX) arranged by the 2nd Armored Fighter Brigade and the VI Army Division Headquarters.

This field operation, conducted in the Atacama Desert, within the Tarapacá Region in northern Chile, saw the participating units’ troops employ their expertise and professional acumen to carry out the assigned missions, with actions performed both during daytime and nighttime.

The training operation included diverse tactical actions that made use of various battle assets such as tanks, self-propelled artillery, and engineering units, among others.

These assets performed several tasks the Land Operations Command (COT) assigned for this exercise.

Captain Raúl González, commander of the Sentinel Combat Team from the 2nd Hunter Armored Brigade, expressed his satisfaction, saying that “it has been a professionally rewarding exercise, simulating a realistic scenario where the units are performing various functions.

The FTX Tarapacá mirrors this issue and demonstrates how it is resolved by the 1st Armored Coraceros Brigade in Arica.”

Addressing the challenges of operating in a desert environment, which necessitates swift adaptation in a crisis, the officer noted that “the main difficulties are inherent to the environment, owing to the camanchaca (a thick coastal fog) causing limited visibility and extreme temperatures. We’ve had to adjust to complete our mission amidst these challenges.”

Captain González added that the conditions in the Atacama Desert “demand heightened coordination, training, and practice, but we’ve managed to surpass these challenges. We’ve exhibited the professionalism and resilience required in this exercise.”

First Sergeant Ernesto Cumián, tank commander in the Vencedores Group of the 1st Armored Coraceros Brigade, mentioned that “it’s been a fresh and educational experience, as the training in Arica significantly varies in terms of terrain and climate.”

“We’re experiencing different things here, trying to gain as much as possible from it, acquiring experiences and insights.”

According to the non-commissioned officer, the exercise highlighted the Army personnel’s impressive ability to adapt to adverse scenarios and met the goal of producing replacements.

“Training in the climate of this region, with factors like the camanchaca and even the unique dust, presents a considerable challenge. As it’s our first time working under these conditions, we’ve achieved our objective.”

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