ℹ️ ➖➖➖ The TAM met the Argentine Army's requirement for a modern, lightweight and fast tank with a low silhouette and sufficient firepower to defeat contemporary armored threats. Development began in 1974 and resulted in the construction of three prototypes by early 1977 and full-scale production by 1979. Assembly took place at the local 9,600-square-meter (103,000 sq ft) TAMSE plant, founded for the purpose by the Argentine government. Economic difficulties halted production in 1983, but manufacturing began anew in 1994 until the army's order of 200 tanks was fulfilled.
The VCA 155 is essentially a lengthened TAM MBT chassis with seven road wheels either side, fitted with the same turret as installed on the Italian Oto Melara 155 mm/41 calibre Palmaria self-propelled howitzer, which was developed specifically for the export market.
Oto Melara supplied a total of 20 turrets to TAMSE and it is believed that at least 15 systems were in service by the late 1990s. The remaining five units may well now be operational. Previous information was that the TAMSE production line for the TAM had closed.
Oto Melara has now completed production of the Palmaria turret and it is no longer marketed. Full details of the Oto Melara Palmaria are given in a separate entry. Known users of the complete Palmaria 155 mm self-propelled artillery system include Libya (210 units) and Nigeria (25 plus units).
The layout of the VCA 155 155 mm self-propelled artillery system is virtually identical to the TAM medium tank, which is only in service with Argentina. The driver front left, power pack to his right and turret in the centre of the hull slightly to the rear. However, an auxiliary generator is mounted in the left side of the hull and, to increase the operational range of the system, two long-range drum type diesel fuel tanks are mounted at the rear of the hull.
The all-welded aluminium turret is identical to that of the Oto Melara Palmaria 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. Firing standard 155 mm ammunition, a maximum range of 24,000 m can be achieved while a range of 30,000 m can be achieved with special ammunition. A semi-automatic projectile loading system is installed, with charges being loaded manually. This increases rate of fire and reduces crew fatigue.

Crew 5
▪️⬇️ Weight (kg) 40000
Power-to-weight ratio (h.p./t) 18
▪️📏 Length (mm) 10300
▪️↔️ Width (mm) 3300
▪️↕️ Height (mm) 3200
Ground clearance (mm) 450
Track (mm) 2620
▪️⏭ Max. road speed (km/h) 55
Fuel capacity (l) 873
▪️🔁 Max. road range (km) 719
Fording depth (mm) 1400
Gradient (%) 60
Side slope (%) 30
▪️⬆️ Vertical obstacle (mm) 1000
Trench (mm) 2500
▪️⚙️ Engine power output (h.p.) 720
Auxiliary gun calibre (mm) 7.62
Grenade launcher calibre (mm) 76
Number of smoke grenade launchers 8
Elevation (degree) 70
Depression (degree) -5
Traverse arc (degree) 360
Ammunition of the main gun 28

Ref: Wikipedia; army-guide.