EE-T1 Osório
Encyclopedia
The Engesa EE-T1 Osório was a Brazil
ian main battle tank
prototype. It was developed as a privately funded venture by Engesa
, with little government support. It was intended to be sold first to Arab
and other Third World
countries, jump-starting production — and enabling the Brazilian Army
to later place its own orders without having to fund development costs. However macro-political events including the Gulf War
and North American political pressure led to the tank's demise, and the tank was never acquired by the Brazilian Army.
The EE-T1 was considered for service with the Saudi Arabian Army
. It was evaluated against the French AMX 40, the American M1 Abrams
, and the British Challenger 1, and emerged as the winner. In September 1989, Saudi Arabia quietly opted for the M1 Abrams instead and only announced its new decision shortly after Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait
, triggering the Persian Gulf War
. The two unique prototypes were given to the Brazilian Army as result of Engesa
going bankrupt.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian main battle tank
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
prototype. It was developed as a privately funded venture by Engesa
Engesa
Engesa – Engenheiros Especializados S/A was a Brazilian company in the agriculture and defense sectors that specialized in producing tactical military trucks, armored fighting vehicles, and civilian Sport utility vehicles....
, with little government support. It was intended to be sold first to Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
and other Third World
Third World
The term Third World arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either capitalism and NATO , or communism and the Soviet Union...
countries, jump-starting production — and enabling the Brazilian Army
Brazilian Army
The Brazilian Army is the land arm of the Brazilian Military. The Brazilian Army has fought in several international conflicts, mostly in South America and during the 19th century, such as the Brazilian War of Independence , Argentina-Brazil War , War of the Farrapos , Platine War , Uruguayan War ...
to later place its own orders without having to fund development costs. However macro-political events including the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and North American political pressure led to the tank's demise, and the tank was never acquired by the Brazilian Army.
Development
Development started in 1982 and the first prototype was completed in 1985.The EE-T1 was considered for service with the Saudi Arabian Army
Saudi Arabian Army
The Saudi Arabian Army , also called Royal Saudi Land Force . Is a branch of the Saudi Armed Forces. The total number of active troops is estimated to be 233,500The current Chief of the Saudi General Staff is Field Marshal Saleh Al-Muhaya....
. It was evaluated against the French AMX 40, the American M1 Abrams
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for...
, and the British Challenger 1, and emerged as the winner. In September 1989, Saudi Arabia quietly opted for the M1 Abrams instead and only announced its new decision shortly after Iraq invaded neighboring Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, triggering the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. The two unique prototypes were given to the Brazilian Army as result of Engesa
Engesa
Engesa – Engenheiros Especializados S/A was a Brazilian company in the agriculture and defense sectors that specialized in producing tactical military trucks, armored fighting vehicles, and civilian Sport utility vehicles....
going bankrupt.
External links
- Fprado.com
- Enemyforces.com
- Engesa EE-T1 Osório, the first brazilian MBT (in Portuguese with 'google translate' option)
- Military Today - Osório