AMX-13
Encyclopedia
The AMX-13 is a French
light tank
produced from 1953 to 1985. It served with the French Army and was exported to over twenty-five other nations. Named after its initial weight of 13 tonnes, and featuring a tough and reliable chassis, it was fitted with an oscillating turret
built by GIAT Industries (now Nexter
) with revolver type magazines which was also used on the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier
. Including prototypes and export versions there are over a hundred variants including self-propelled gun
, anti-aircraft systems, APC
s, and ATGM versions. Total production of the AMX-13 family is approximately 7,700 units, around 3,400 of which were exported.
had torsion bar suspension with five road-wheels and two return rollers; the engine runs the length of the tank on the right side with the driver on the left. It features an uncommon two-part oscillating turret where the gun is fixed to the turret and the entire upper turret changes elevation. The turret is set to the rear of the vehicle and holds the commander and gunner. The original 75 mm gun, allegedly modelled on the German 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun (used, among others, in the Panther tank
) but firing very different ammunition from a shorter barrel, was fed with an automatic loading system in two six-round magazines located in the turret's bustle. The twelve rounds available in the loaders meant that the crew could engage targets quickly, however once those rounds were expended the vehicle had to retreat to cover and the crew reload them from outside the vehicle.
Production began at ARE (Atelier de Construction Roanne) from 1952, with the first tanks delivered the following year. In 1964 production was transferred to Creusot-Loire at Chalon-sur-Saône, as the ARE moved to building the AMX 30
MBT
, and the numbers produced declined significantly.
From 1966 the 75mm high-velocity gun was replaced by a 90 mm (the AMX-13/90) medium velocity gun firing more effective HEAT ammunition, with the French upgrading all existing base models to this specification. By the early 1970s export models were available with an even more potent 105mm gun. Although there were many variants on the turret the basic chassis was almost unchanged until 1985 when changes including a new diesel engine
, fully automatic transmission
and new hydropneumatic suspension
were introduced.
Production halted with the Model 1987. After sales support and upgrades are still offered through GIAT Industries (now Nexter).
The AMX-13 tank was phased out of service with the French Army in the 1980s. Current French armoured vehicles with a similar role are the ERC 90 Sagaie
and the AMX 10 RC
.
with 4 roadwheels and trailing idler
Char AMX-13 (2B): Prototype with 5 roadwheels and raised idler
Char AMX-13 (2C): Prototype with FL-10 turret and two support rollers
Char AMX-13 (2D): Prototype with 4 support rollers
Char AMX-13 (2E): Prototype with 3 support rollers and 90 mm gun
Char AMX-13 (2F): Prototype with 2 support rollers and, later, a thermal sleeve
AMX-13: Fitted with 105 mm howitzer barrel
AMX-13/75 (AMX-13e): Experimental variant with short-barreled 75 mm in FL-11 turret
Char AMX-13 avec Canon 57 L/100: Prototype with special gun
AMX-13 Twin 20 mm in welded turret without bustle
Char 48FCM: AKA Char 12T FCM, DCA de Quatre Canons de 20 mm—4 x 20 mm cannon in FL-4 turret
DCA de 40 mm: AKA Char 13T DCA a 40 mm Bofors L/70 gun in large faceted turret
AMX-13 GTI: Improved suspension by Krauss-Maffei
AMX-13 THS: Prototype fitted with hydrostatic transmission
AMX-13: Fitted with Rapace 14 MBRL
AMX-13 HOT: Fitted with HOT
ATGM launchers
AMX-13: Some initial vehicles were fitted with the turret of the M24 Chaffee
AMX-13 [DTT]: Initial vehicles with the turret of the M24 Chaffee converted into a driver training tank. Gun removed.
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret as installed in Panhard EBR
armoured car and 2 top rollers
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret and 4 top rollers and revised stowage
AMX-13 T75 (Char Lance SS-11): Fitted with SS.11 ATGM launchers
AMX-13 T75 avec TCA: Fitted with an electronic guidance system
for the missiles
AMX-13/90 Modèle 52: FL-10 turret refitted with the F3 90 mm gun
AMX-13/90 LRF: Fitted with laser
rangefinder
AMX-13/105 Modèle 58: Fitted with 105 Gun mm in FL-12 turret (used by the Argentine Army
and the Netherlands
)
AMX-13/105: Upgraded export version of the Modele 58 with thermal sleeve and revised hull front
AMX-13 Model 1987: Late production version
AMX-DCA aka AMX-13/S530: SPAAG version armed with two HS 831 30 mm cannons
AMX-DCA 30 aka Bitube de 30 mm anti-aérien automoteur, Oeil Noir: SPAAG version with retractable radar fitted, 60 delivered between 1969 and late 80s
AMX-13 [Training Tank]: AMX-13 with turret
removed and used for driver training
AMX-13 Modèle 55 (AMX-D): Recovery version
AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 51: Scissors-type bridgelayer
Singapore
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Switzerland
Peru
Venezuela
beginning with the AMX-VTT
and culminating with the AMX-VCI
. The APC chassis was itself the basis of a number of variants.
155 mm
- ? - ? - 60 AMX-13/105 FL-12 received currently in storage - ? - 12 AMX Mk F3 155 mm self-propelled howitzer version - 15 - ? - 12 ordered, but no evidence that they were ever delivered. - The AMX-13 tank was phased out of service with the French Army in the 1970s. - 12 - Indian Army used AMX-13 Tanks against Pakistan in 1965 Indo-pak war a couple of AMX-13 Tanks captured in operational condition by Pakistan Army - Retired and sold to Singapore in 1969. - 35 in service with the Lebanese Army in 1976, passed on to the Kataeb Regulatory Forces
militia, Tigers Militia (Lebanon)
, Amal Movement
, Al-Murabitun
, Army of Free Lebanon
, Lebanese Arab Army, Lebanese Forces
, South Lebanon Army
. - Replaced by SK-105 Kurassier. - 131 - ? (Captured to Morocco in the Western Sahara War
). - 200 AMX-13 introduced as Light Tank 51 (Leichter Panzer 51) between 1952 and 1954. Served in light tank battalions till 1961 and then as recon vehicles with recon battalions till the last ones were phased out in 1980. Four howitzer variants purchased for trials in 1962-64; not introduced into service.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
light tank
Light tank
A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movement, and now primarily employed in low-intensity conflict. Early light tanks were generally armed and armored similar to an armored car, but used tracks in order to provide better cross-country mobility.The light tank was a major...
produced from 1953 to 1985. It served with the French Army and was exported to over twenty-five other nations. Named after its initial weight of 13 tonnes, and featuring a tough and reliable chassis, it was fitted with an oscillating turret
Oscillating turret
An oscillating turret is a form of turret for armoured fighting vehicles, both tanks and armoured cars. The turret is unusual in being made of two hinged parts. Both elevation and recoil rely on the upper part of the turret moving relative to the lower part....
built by GIAT Industries (now Nexter
Nexter
Nexter is a French government-owned weapons manufacturer.-Products:...
) with revolver type magazines which was also used on the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier
SK-105 Kurassier
The SK-105 Kürassier is an Austrian light tank armed with a rifled 105 mm gun in an oscillating turret. It is estimated that over 700 have been produced.-History:...
. Including prototypes and export versions there are over a hundred variants including self-propelled gun
Self-propelled gun
A self-propelled gun is form of self-propelled artillery, and in modern use is usually used to refer to artillery pieces such as howitzers....
, anti-aircraft systems, APC
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
s, and ATGM versions. Total production of the AMX-13 family is approximately 7,700 units, around 3,400 of which were exported.
History
The tank was designed at the Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux in 1946 to meet a requirement for an air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers, the first prototype ran from 1948. The compact chassisChassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
had torsion bar suspension with five road-wheels and two return rollers; the engine runs the length of the tank on the right side with the driver on the left. It features an uncommon two-part oscillating turret where the gun is fixed to the turret and the entire upper turret changes elevation. The turret is set to the rear of the vehicle and holds the commander and gunner. The original 75 mm gun, allegedly modelled on the German 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun (used, among others, in the Panther tank
Panther tank
Panther is the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as...
) but firing very different ammunition from a shorter barrel, was fed with an automatic loading system in two six-round magazines located in the turret's bustle. The twelve rounds available in the loaders meant that the crew could engage targets quickly, however once those rounds were expended the vehicle had to retreat to cover and the crew reload them from outside the vehicle.
Production began at ARE (Atelier de Construction Roanne) from 1952, with the first tanks delivered the following year. In 1964 production was transferred to Creusot-Loire at Chalon-sur-Saône, as the ARE moved to building the AMX 30
AMX 30
The AMX-30 is a main battle tank designed by GIAT, first delivered to the French Army in 1966. The first five tanks were issued to the 501st Régiment de Chars de Combat in August of that year. The production version of the AMX-30 weighed , and sacrificed protection for increased mobility...
MBT
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...
, and the numbers produced declined significantly.
From 1966 the 75mm high-velocity gun was replaced by a 90 mm (the AMX-13/90) medium velocity gun firing more effective HEAT ammunition, with the French upgrading all existing base models to this specification. By the early 1970s export models were available with an even more potent 105mm gun. Although there were many variants on the turret the basic chassis was almost unchanged until 1985 when changes including a new diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, fully automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
and new hydropneumatic suspension
Hydropneumatic suspension
Hydropneumatic suspension is a type of automotive suspension system, invented by Citroën, and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being used under licence by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce, and Peugeot. It was also used on Berliet trucks and is since recently used on Mercedes-Benz...
were introduced.
Production halted with the Model 1987. After sales support and upgrades are still offered through GIAT Industries (now Nexter).
The AMX-13 tank was phased out of service with the French Army in the 1980s. Current French armoured vehicles with a similar role are the ERC 90 Sagaie
ERC 90 Sagaie
The Panhard ERC 90 is a French six-wheeled armoured all terrain vehicle which is highly mobile and amphibious with an option of being NBC-proof. While various models were tested, only two versions of the ERC were developed and produced: the Lynx and the Sagaie...
and the AMX 10 RC
AMX 10 RC
The AMX-10RC is a wheeled recon vehicle and tank destroyer built by GIAT. Over 300 are in service in the French Army. 120 additional vehicles were sold to Morocco and Qatar ....
.
Additional characteristics
- Ground clearance: 370 mm (14.6 in)
- Fording: 600 mm (23.6 in)
- Vertical obstacle 650 mm (25.6 in)
- Trench: 1.6 m (5.2 ft)
- Gradient 60%
- Side slope: 60%
- NBC system: None
- Night vision: Optional
Prototypes
Char AMX-13 (2A): PrototypePrototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
with 4 roadwheels and trailing idler
Char AMX-13 (2B): Prototype with 5 roadwheels and raised idler
Char AMX-13 (2C): Prototype with FL-10 turret and two support rollers
Char AMX-13 (2D): Prototype with 4 support rollers
Char AMX-13 (2E): Prototype with 3 support rollers and 90 mm gun
Char AMX-13 (2F): Prototype with 2 support rollers and, later, a thermal sleeve
Other prototypes
AMX-13 avec tourelle: A14 Fitted with German HS-30 turretAMX-13: Fitted with 105 mm howitzer barrel
AMX-13/75 (AMX-13e): Experimental variant with short-barreled 75 mm in FL-11 turret
Char AMX-13 avec Canon 57 L/100: Prototype with special gun
AMX-13 Twin 20 mm in welded turret without bustle
Char 48FCM: AKA Char 12T FCM, DCA de Quatre Canons de 20 mm—4 x 20 mm cannon in FL-4 turret
DCA de 40 mm: AKA Char 13T DCA a 40 mm Bofors L/70 gun in large faceted turret
AMX-13 GTI: Improved suspension by Krauss-Maffei
AMX-13 THS: Prototype fitted with hydrostatic transmission
AMX-13: Fitted with Rapace 14 MBRL
AMX-13 HOT: Fitted with HOT
Euromissile HOT
The HOT is a second-generation long-range anti-tank missile system developed originally as an effort to meet a joint German-French Army requirement, by the then German firm Bolkow and the French firm Nord, to replace the older SS.11 wire guided...
ATGM launchers
Production variants
AMX-13 [DTT]: Initial vehicles with the turret of the M24 Chaffee converted into a driver training tank. Gun removed.
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret as installed in Panhard EBR
Panhard EBR
The Panhard EBR is a light armoured car designed by Panhard for the French Army and later used across the globe, notably by the French Army during the Algerian War and the Portuguese Army during the Portuguese Colonial War in Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau.The EBR is an 8x8 wheeled...
armoured car and 2 top rollers
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51: High-velocity 75 mm Gun in FL-11 turret and 4 top rollers and revised stowage
AMX-13 T75 (Char Lance SS-11): Fitted with SS.11 ATGM launchers
AMX-13 T75 avec TCA: Fitted with an electronic guidance system
Guidance system
A guidance system is a device or group of devices used to navigate a ship, aircraft, missile, rocket, satellite, or other craft. Typically, this refers to a system that navigates without direct or continuous human control...
for the missiles
AMX-13/90 Modèle 52: FL-10 turret refitted with the F3 90 mm gun
AMX-13/90 LRF: Fitted with laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
rangefinder
Rangefinder
A rangefinder is a device that measures distance from the observer to a target, for the purposes of surveying, determining focus in photography, or accurately aiming a weapon. Some devices use active methods to measure ; others measure distance using trigonometry...
AMX-13/105 Modèle 58: Fitted with 105 Gun mm in FL-12 turret (used by the Argentine Army
Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
)
AMX-13/105: Upgraded export version of the Modele 58 with thermal sleeve and revised hull front
AMX-13 Model 1987: Late production version
AMX-DCA aka AMX-13/S530: SPAAG version armed with two HS 831 30 mm cannons
AMX-DCA 30 aka Bitube de 30 mm anti-aérien automoteur, Oeil Noir: SPAAG version with retractable radar fitted, 60 delivered between 1969 and late 80s
AMX-13 [Training Tank]: AMX-13 with turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
removed and used for driver training
AMX-13 Modèle 55 (AMX-D): Recovery version
AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 51: Scissors-type bridgelayer
Modernisation packages
- Cockerill 90 mm Regunning Packaging: 90 mm upgunning package
- Giat Industries upgrade with a Baudouin 6F 11 SRY diesel engine and an upgraded turret.
- Giat Industries Add-on Armour package installed on turret front/sides and glacis plate
- NIMDA Upgrade Package: Israeli retrofit package
National
Netherlands- AMX-13/FL-12 [Modernised] by the Netherlands: Fitted with searchlightSearchlightA searchlight is an apparatus that combines a bright light source with some form of curved reflector or other optics to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction, usually constructed so that it can be swiveled about.-Military use:The Royal Navy used...
and FN MAG machine-guns - AMX-13/FL-15 Dutch FL12 version refitted with an FL-15 Turret
Singapore
- AMX-13S Rebuild of standard AMX-13 by SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
prior to SM-1 upgrade - AMX-13SM1 (Singapore Modernised 1): Singaporean upgrade with modern communications, original petrol engine replaced by a diesel engine, improved transmissions & suspensions system, laser range-finder and night vision elbow upgrade by ST Kinetics. The 75 mm main gun remain unchanged.
Switzerland
- Leichter Panzer 51 Swiss Army version
Peru
- AMX-13PA5 Escorpion Proposed upgrade for a standard AMX-13/105 by the Peruvian designer Sergio Casanave, fitted with modern communications and 4 9M14-2T missiles.
- AMX-13PA8 Escorpion-2 equipped with Dante fire-control system (a ballistic computer/laser range-finder/night vision/CCTV system), four Ukrainian laser-guided Barrier R-2 antitank missiles and 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine-guns was also proposed. Rejected by the Peruvian ArmyPeruvian ArmyThe Peruvian Army is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations...
.
Venezuela
- AMX-13V CLI upgraded AMX-13/90 for VenezuelaVenezuelaVenezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n Army - AMX-13 [LAR-160] Venezuelan MLRS version armed with IMI LAR-160LAR-160The LAR-160 is a light artillery rocket with a 160mm calibre and a range of 45 km, from a multiple rocket launcher.It is manufactured by Israel Military Industries...
mm. rockets - AMX-13M51 Ráfaga Venezuelan Army's AA version armed with two 40 mm cannons mounted on an M-4E1 turret
APC
The AMX-13 was the basis of a family of APCsArmoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
beginning with the AMX-VTT
AMX-VCI
The AMX-VCI is one of the many variants of the French AMX-13 light tank. It was the front line APC of the French Army until replaced by the AMX-10P.- History :...
and culminating with the AMX-VCI
AMX-VCI
The AMX-VCI is one of the many variants of the French AMX-13 light tank. It was the front line APC of the French Army until replaced by the AMX-10P.- History :...
. The APC chassis was itself the basis of a number of variants.
Self propelled howitzer
105 mm- AMX Mk 61 (AMX-105A) Automoteur de 105 du AMX-13 en casemate: 105 mm casemate SP
- AMX Mk 61 [Netherlands] Dutch Army version with 30 calibre howitzer and Browning commander's MG
- AMX Mk 62 (AMX-105B) Prototype with 105 mm howitzer in a turret
- AMX Mk 63 (AMX-105B, AMX Mk F2) Prototype of Mk 62 with MG cupola fitted to turret
155 mm
- AMX Mk F3 (Obusier de 155 mm sur affut automoteur AMX-13 T, AMX-155) 155 mm SPH
Current
- 24 AMX Mk F3 155 mm self-propelled howitzer version - 12 - 5 - 12 - 60 - 102 - 500 - ? - 409 AMX-VCI - ? - 210 - 350 AMX-13/SM1 (ex-IDF machines, locally upgraded and modernised) - ? - 36 AMX-13C.90Former
Kataeb Regulatory Forces
The Kataeb Regulatory Forces – KRF or RF , Forces Regulatoires du Kataeb in French were the military wing of the right-wing Lebanese Christian Kataeb Party, otherwise known as the Phalange, from 1961 to 1977...
militia, Tigers Militia (Lebanon)
Tigers Militia (Lebanon)
The Tigers Militia , also known as NLP Tigers or Tigers of the Liberals and PNL "Lionceaux" in French, was the military wing of the National Liberal Party during the Lebanese Civil War.- Origins :The NLP militia was first raised in October 1968 by Camille Chamoun at his own home town...
, Amal Movement
Amal Movement
Amal Movement is short for the Lebanese Resistance Detachments the acronym for which, in Arabic, is "amal", meaning "hope."Amal was founded in 1975 as the militia wing of the Movement of the Disinherited, a Shi'a political movement founded by Musa...
, Al-Murabitun
Al-Murabitun
The Independent Nasserite Movement or al-Murabitoun , also termed variously Mouvement des Nasséristes Indépendants ' in French, Independent Nasserite Organization , or Movement of Independent Nasserists, is a Nasserist political party in Lebanon.-Political...
, Army of Free Lebanon
Army of Free Lebanon
The Army of Free Lebanon – AFL or ‘Colonel Barakat’s Army’ , also designated Armée du Liban Libre or ‘Armée du Colonel Barakat’ in French, was a predominantely Christian splinter faction of the Lebanese Army that came to play a major role in the 1975-77 phase of the Lebanese Civil War.-Emblem:Upon...
, Lebanese Arab Army, Lebanese Forces
Lebanese Forces
The Lebanese Forces is a Lebanese political party. Founded as a militia by Bachir Gemayel during the Lebanese Civil War, the movement fought as the main militia within the Christian-dominated Lebanese Front...
, South Lebanon Army
South Lebanon Army
The South Lebanon Army , also "South Lebanese Army," was a Lebanese militia during the Lebanese Civil War. After 1979, the militia operated in southern Lebanon under the authority of Saad Haddad's Government of Free Lebanon...
. - Replaced by SK-105 Kurassier. - 131 - ? (Captured to Morocco in the Western Sahara War
Western Sahara War
The Western Sahara War was an armed conflict primarily between the Polisario Front and Morocco, the conflict erupted after the withdrawal of Spain from the Spanish Sahara in accordance with the Madrid Accords by which it gave administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania...
). - 200 AMX-13 introduced as Light Tank 51 (Leichter Panzer 51) between 1952 and 1954. Served in light tank battalions till 1961 and then as recon vehicles with recon battalions till the last ones were phased out in 1980. Four howitzer variants purchased for trials in 1962-64; not introduced into service.