PARIS — Argentina could buy Brazil’s Guarani armored vehicle and receive the first deliveries as early as next year, according to a senior executive at Iveco, the Italian company leading the design and development effort on the new machine. 

Discussions are underway with Argentina to become the first export customer for the 18-ton 6×6 amphibious armored vehicle.

Paolo Del Noce, the defense vehicles director of Iveco Latin America said at Eurosatory that the “Argentinean  army has already demonstrated its interest.”

The Guarani, also known as the VBTP, is scheduled to enter series production next year at a new defense facility being built by Iveco alongside its commercial-vehicles plant in Sete Lagos, Brazil.

Argentina could get some of the early positions on the production line next year to satisfy requirements, the Iveco executive said.

Iveco has been cooperating with the Brazilian army’s science and technology department in the design and development of a cavalry version of the armored vehicle.   

Some 2,044 vehicles were ordered by Brazil in 2009 with deliveries scheduled to span 20 years. Reconnaissance, ambulance, armored personnel carrier and other versions will be developed. An 8×8 version may also eventually be developed, although a decision about that has not been made yet.

Iveco used Eurosatory to announce it had agreed with its Brazilian partner to begin development of a new mechanized infantry variant of the Guarani. Del Noce said the configuration of the vehicle was still under discussion.

The Italian company also handed over a preproduction version of the Guarani to the Brazilian army.