Osorio T-2
Summary
| Origin country | 🇧🇷 Brazil |
| Category | Main Battle Tank |
| Sub-type | Medium Main Battle Tank |
| Manufacturer | Engesa |
| Number built | None units |
Technical specifications
| Crew | 4 personnels |
| Range | 550 km |
| Mass | 43.0 tons |
| Height | 2.37 m (7.8 ft) |
| Width | 3.26 m (10.7 ft) |
| Length | 9.99 m (32.8 ft) |
| Max. speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
| Engine | 12-Cylinder Diesel Engine with 1040 hp |
| Weapon 1 | 1 120mm smoothbore barrel (38 shells) gun |
| Weapon 2 | 1 7.62mm coaxial machine gun |
| Weapon 3 | 1 12.7mm M-2HB machine gun + 1 7.62mm MAG machine gun |
Further Reading
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Historical operators
Description
The Engesa EE-T1 Osório was a main battle tank prototype developed by the Brazilian manufacturer Engesa. Development began in 1982 to produce a tank for export to Middle Eastern and other Third World nations. Engesa intended for these foreign sales to subsidize the program, allowing the Brazilian Army to eventually procure the vehicle without funding its initial development. Although the project was initially a private venture, the Brazilian National Development Bank provided a loan in 1987 to address Engesa’s cashflow issues during the development phase.
The vehicle is designed for a four-man crew consisting of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. Its protection system utilizes composite armor, which includes steel, aluminum, carbon fibers, and ceramics. The tank was developed in two distinct armament configurations. The P1 prototype is equipped with a 105 mm L7 rifled gun, while the P2 prototype carries a 120 mm Giat Industries G1 smoothbore gun. Secondary armament for both versions consists of two 12.7 mm M2HB machine guns, with one mounted coaxially and the other on the roof. The tank is powered by a 12-cylinder MWM TBD 234 Diesel engine integrated with a ZF Friedrichshafen LSG 3000 transmission and a hydropneumatic suspension system.
The Osório never entered series production or foreign service. While the tank was considered for purchase by Algeria, Iraq, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, no contracts were finalized. The failure of the Saudi Arabian deal and the availability of surplus main battle tanks following the Cold War led to the cessation of the program. Engesa filed for bankruptcy in 1993, and the project was eventually scrapped during the late 1990s. The two prototypes were held in storage until 2003, when they were officially added to the inventory of the 13th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment in São Paulo. They remained in limited service until 2013. The 105 mm prototype is currently held at the Military Museum Conde de Linhares, and the 120 mm prototype is located at the Armored Instruction Center, both in Rio de Janeiro.