Brazil to donate 25 light tanks M41C to armed forces of Uruguay to replace M24 Chaffee 21121312

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Defence & Security News - Uruguay

 
 
Saturday, December 21, 2013 11:35 AM
 
Brazil to donate 25 light tanks M41C to armed forces of Uruguay to replace M24 Chaffee.

The Brazilian Parliament has agreed the donation of 25 light tanks M41C to Uruguay. The negotiations about this transfer have started in 2011, and now the agreement is accepted by the two countries and the United States Department of Defense.

     
The Brazilian Parliament has agreed the donation of 25 light tanks M41C to Uruguay. The negotiations about this transfer have started in 2011, and now the agreement is accepted by the two countries and the United States Department of Defense.
M41C light tank of Brazilian army.
     

Brazil still has a fleet of 150 M41, which have been replaced for frontline units by German Leopard main battle tanks.

The cost of the transfer for the 25 light tanks is around $150,000 and will be paid by the Brazilian government.

These M41C light tanks will be delivered to the Cavalry and Armoured Infantry units of the Army Uruguay to replace old M24 Chaffee.

The Light Tank M24 Chaffe was an American light tank used during the end of the World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War and, with the French, in the War in Algeria and the First Indochina War. A total of 17 M24 Chaffe tanks are still in service with the armed forces of Uruguay.

Uruguay has also 22 M41UR armed with a 90 mm Cockerill cannon in place of the original 76mm light gun.

The M41C is a Brazilian upgrade of the standard M41 Walker Bulldog developed by United States after the World War II.

The latest version of the M41C is motorized with Brazilian build Saab-Scania DS-14A O4 eight cylinder diesel engine with modifications to the rear hull and electrical system. The transmission package is upgraded allowing the tank to run at a speed of 70 km/h. Night vision and a laser range finder is added to the gun sight. Additional spaced armour plates are added to the forward part of the hull, glacis plate and turret. Four smoke grenade dischargers were added to each side of the turret. The original 76 mm M32 gun is replaced by a 90 mm Ca 76/90 M32 BR3 gun with thermal sleeve and muzzle break made in Brazil.

     

M24 Chaffee light tank of Uruguay Army.