AMX-13
AMX-13/105 at Tankfest 2023
TypeLight tank
Place of originFrance
Service history
WarsSuez Crisis
Algerian War
Sand War
Vietnam War
Cambodian Civil War
Dominican Civil War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
30 September Movement
Six-Day War
Western Sahara War
Indonesian invasion of East Timor
Lebanese Civil War
Guatemalan Civil War
Insurgency in Aceh
Production history
DesignerAtelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
Designed1946
ManufacturerAtelier de Construction Roanne
Produced1952–1987
No. built7,700 (Total)
3,400 (Exported)
4,300 (Used in French military)
Specifications
Mass13.7 t (30,000 lb) empty
14.5 t (32,000 lb) combat
Length6.36 m (20 ft 10 in) with gun
4.88 m (16 ft 0 in) hull
Width2.51 m (8 ft 3 in)
Height2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
Crew3 (Commander, gunner and driver)
Armour10–40 mm (0.39–1.57 in)
Main
armament
AMX-13/75: 75 mm SA 50 L/61
AMX-13/90: 90 mm CN-90-F3 L/52
AMX-13/105: 105 mm CN-105 L/57 with 32 Rounds
Secondary
armament
1× 7.5 mm (or 7.62 mm) coaxial machine gun with 3,600 Rounds
1× 7.62 mm AA machine gun (optional)
2× 2 smoke grenade dischargers
EngineSOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine
250 hp (190 kW)
Power/weight17 hp/tonne
SuspensionTorsion bar suspension
Operational
range
400 km (250 mi)
Maximum speed 60 km/h (37 mph)

The AMX-13 is a French light tank produced from 1952 to 1987. It served with the French Army, as the Char 13t-75 Modèle 51, and was exported to more than 26 other nations. Named after its initial weight of 13 tonnes, and featuring a tough and reliable chassis,[1] it was fitted with an oscillating turret built by GIAT Industries (now Nexter) with revolver-type magazines, which were also used on the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier.[1] Including prototypes and export versions, over a hundred variants exist, including self-propelled guns, anti-aircraft systems, APCs, and ATGM versions.

Development

The tank was designed at the Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) in 1946 to meet a requirement for an air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers. The first prototype ran from 1948. The compact chassis 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 FL-10 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.

Revolver style magazine drums in the bustle rack of the AMX-13 prototype, at the time known as the AMX-12t, during trials at Aberdeen Proving Ground, 19 December 1950.

The original 75 mm SA 50 gun was loaded by an automatic loading system fed by two six-round magazines located in on either side of the automatic loader in the turret's bustle. The 12 rounds available in the drum magazines meant that the crew could engage targets quickly; however, once those rounds were expended, the vehicle commander and gunner could either manually refill them from within the turret or retreat to cover and reload shells from outside the vehicle through hatches above.

Early variant of the AMX-13 trialled in Sweden, 1952.

Production began at ARE (Atelier de Construction Roanne) in 1952, with the first tanks delivered the following year. In 1964, production was transferred to Creusot-Loire at Chalon-sur-Saône, as ARE switched to the production of the AMX-30 MBT, and the numbers produced declined significantly.

After 1966, AMX-13s in French service were up-gunned with a 90 mm CN-90-F3 L/52 medium pressure gun firing more effective high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions; this variant was designated AMX-13/90.[2] The F3 was similar to the DEFA D921/F1 low pressure gun developed for the Panhard AML-90, and even utilized the same ammunition, though it possessed a significantly higher muzzle velocity.[3] By the late 1960s, an export model of the AMX-13 was also available with an even larger 105 mm CN-105 L/57 gun in a FL-12 turret.[2]

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 AMX-13 Model 1987. After sales support and upgrades are still[when?] 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.

Additional characteristics

Close view of oscillating turret

Service history

France

During the Suez Crisis of 1956, the French Army used two sections of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment's AMX-13 tanks in Port Fouad. The AMX-13s also saw limited action in the Algerian War, largely due to the rough terrain in most of Algeria and much of the fighting with the anti-colonial guerillas being in the difficult terrain of the countryside.[4] France also fielded a number of AMX-13s fitted with US Chaffee light tank turrets in the fighting in Algeria.

Argentina

The Argentinian Army fielded locally-built versions of both the AMX-13-105 and the AMX-VCI armoured personnel carrier.

Argentine AMX-13s were not deployed during the Falklands War. Senior commanders considered that off-road conditions in the Falkland Islands were too boggy for all of the armoured vehicles available at the time. The newly-developed Tanque Argentino Mediano (TAM) was not yet available. For on-road operations in the islands, Argentina's Panhard AML-90 wheeled fighting vehicles were considered more suitable than the AMX-13. The higher speed and other aspects of the Panhard's performance also represented acceptable trade-offs for its smaller (90 mm) main gun, relative to the AMX-13 (105 mm).

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2023)

Dominican Republic

AMX-13s saw service among both the loyalists and the rebels during the Dominican Civil War of 1965. Two AMX-13s used by the rebel forces were destroyed by M50 Ontos of the United States Marine Corps during the subsequent American intervention in the Dominican Republic.

Israel

Decommissioned Israeli AMX-13 on display at Yad La-Shiryon Tank Museum in Latrun.

The AMX-13 was Israel's first modern tank and was purchased at a time when France was the only country willing to openly sell arms to Israel. By 1956, Israel had ordered 180 AMX-13 light tanks as part of an agreement to reinforce Israel's military and to maintain the balance in Israel's favour after the Egyptian–Czechoslovak arms deal. Besides buying whole AMX-13s, Israel also purchased a quantity of SA 50 75mm tank guns for upgunning some of the American M4 Sherman tanks. Due to the shortage of tanks, the IDF used them as main battle tanks and employed them to form a tank battalion in the 7th Armored Brigade. IDF reconnaissance units did not use AMX 13s.

By 1967, Israel had less than 100 AMX-13s and formed three AMX-13 battalions, all of which fought actively on all fronts during the Six-Day War. The first battalion moved south in the West Bank area through Taluzi and Tubas and occupied Nablus (against Jordan). The second, attacking Egypt, captured the strongpoints protecting the Gaza Strip and the coastal road in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. The third, finally, assaulted the Golan Heights in south-western Syria.

The IDF realised that the AMX-13 tank was too lightly-armoured and had a weak main gun. Losses were heavy at places like Rafah Junction and Jiradi Pass during the Six-Day War with many destroyed by heavier Arab-fielded Soviet armour, such as T-55 MBTs and IS-3 (tank) heavy tanks. Subsequently, Israel gradually phased out all of its AMX-13s following the Six-Day War, with most ending up being sold to the then newly established Singapore Army between 1968 and 1969.

India

Indian AMX-13

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, India deployed AMX-13 Tanks to oppose the initial armour onslaught of Operation Grand Slam in the Chhamb-Jaurian area and also in the Battle of Asal Uttar.

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War in Chhamb-Jaurian in Jammu & Kashmir, the 20 Lancers, equipped with AMX-13 tanks was under command of the 10th Infantry Division. Pakistan's surprise attack on 1 September, Operation Grand Slam, fell on 191 Infantry Brigade which was supported by "C" Squadron of the regiment, under Maj Bhaskar Roy. The Pakistani armoured attack comprised two regiments, one of M48 Patton medium tanks and one of M36B2 tank destroyers.[5] The attack began at 0805 hours and was strongly resisted. During the initial phases of the attack, Roy destroyed six Pattons, three recoilless guns and captured a jeep. A second attack was launched by Pakistani armour at 1100 hours and contested by the AMX-13s of 20 Lancers, which despite being outgunned and outnumbered, destroyed a total 13 tanks that day and prevented the encirclement of 191 Infantry Brigade.[6] The regiment later fought in the defence of Jaurian under 41 Infantry Brigade.[7] For the defense of Chhamb-Jaurian, the regiment was awarded a theatre honour and Maj Bhaskar Roy was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership in this action.[6]

In the Battle of Assal Uttar, on 8–10 September 1965 in Asal Uttar (Khem Karan, Punjab, India), a regiment of AMX-13s — 8th Light Cavalry — along with a regiment each of Centurions and M4 Shermans fought off and defeated a Pakistani armoured offensive comprising five regiments of M48 Patton tanks and one regiment of M24 Chaffee tanks.[8]

Indonesia

Indonesian AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (SM1) in the lead of another two AMX-13 tanks and one AMX-VTT APC.

The Indonesian Army received 175 AMX-13/75, 32 AMX-VCI (including 4 command variants and six ARV variants), and 10 AMX-13 PDP from France in 1960, which were delivered in 1960–1962. Indonesia then bought around 100 to 180 ex-Royal Netherlands Army AMX-VCI in 1976, which were modernized and delivered in 1977–1978. The last batch of AMX-13 family were bought in 1980–1981, when the Army acquired 130 second-hand but modernized AMX-13/105 from the Netherlands.[9]

The AMX-13s first saw combat against the 30 September Movement in 1965, when they were deployed to secure Suharto's control of Jakarta against an alleged coup by other generals'.[10]

AMX-13/75 tanks and the VCI variants participated in the 1975 Indonesian invasion of East Timor (known in Indonesia as Operasi Seroja).[11][12]

Indonesian AMX-13s also participated in the 2003–2004 Indonesian offensive in Aceh.[13]

The AMX-13 gained momentary notoriety in Indonesian social media in September 2020, after an AMX-13 driver lost control when making a turn and ran over a street food vendor cart and four motorcycles.[14] The accident happened on 10 September 2020 at around 11:00 WIB, at an intersection in Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, during a 4th Cavalry Battalion company-level combat readiness exercise. No one was injured and the owners of the cart and vehicles were given compensation totaling 15.4 million rupiah.[15]

Lebanon

The Lebanese Army was an important user of the AMX-13 in the Middle East, purchasing 42 AMX-13/75s and 22 AMX-13/105s from France in 1972.[16] Lebanese AMX-13s saw extensive service during the Lebanese Civil War in the hands of the regular Lebanese Army and various armed groups in and outside Beirut between 1975 and 1990, following the collapse of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) structure in January 1976, and later again in February 1984 in the wake of the Mountain War. During this period, most of the regular Army's AMX-13s fell into the hands of the competing Christian-rightist Lebanese Front and Muslim-leftist Lebanese National Movement (LNM) militias or were taken way by dissident rebellious Lebanese Army factions. France later delivered additional 13 AMX-13/90s to the regular Lebanese Army between 1978-1981 and again in 1984.[17][18] Captured AMX-13s were employed by the Lebanese Arab Army (LAA),[19] Army of Free Lebanon (AFL),[20] Kataeb Regulatory Forces (KRF), Tigers Militia, Lebanese Forces (LF), South Lebanon Army (SLA), Amal Movement, and the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[21] Nearly all AMX-13s eventually were returned by the demobilized militias to the Lebanese Army between 1990 and 1993. Currently none of the Lebanese AMX-13 light tanks is believed to remain operational.[16]

In July 2018, six of these withdrawn AMX-13 and various other former Lebanese Army military vehicles were dumped in the sea off the coast of Sidon in southern Lebanon and used as part of an artificial reef.

Morocco

Morocco used some AMX-13s in the Sand War of 1963. Later on, they were engaged in the Western Sahara conflict. They were supplemented by the similar Austrian SK-105 Kürassier light tank during that war.

Prototypes

Other prototypes

Production variants

SS.11 anti-tank missile-launcher version of the AMX-13
AMX-13 DCA AA version
Modified AMX VCI (APC version of the AMX-13) with the American M55 turret

Late production version

Modernisation packages

National

Indonesia
The Indonesian Army's AMX-13/105 Modèle 58 (SM1) Note the hydropneumatic suspension and also the modified hull and turret stowage bins as part of SM1 upgrade
Netherlands
Peru
Singapore
The Singapore Army's AMX-13 Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)
The Singapore Army's AMX-13/SM-1 (Singapore Modernised 1)
Switzerland
Venezuela

APC

The AMX-13 was the basis of a family of APCs beginning with the AMX-VTT and culminating with the AMX-VCI. The APC chassis was itself the basis of a number of variants.

Self propelled howitzer

105 mm
105mm howitzer variant 4 purchased for trials by the Swiss Army.
155 mm

Operators

This section is about operators of the AMX-13 light tank and its engineering and recovery variants. For operators of the APC derivative, see AMX-VCI § Operators. For operators of the self-propelled howitzer derivative, see Mk 61 105 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer § User, and Mk F3 155mm § Operators.

AMX-13 (current)

Peruvian AMX-13 minus the 75mm main gun after upgrades and converted to carrying Kornet-E ATGM (NATO reporting name AT-14 Spriggan).
Dutch AMX-13/105 Modèle 58.

AMX-13 (former)

A Pakistani tank crew operating a captured Indian AMX-13
Swiss 75 mm armed AMX-13 light tanks on parade in 1981.

In popular culture

The AMX-13 has made some major TV and film appearances, most notably in the 1984 French war film Les Morfalous, where a Tunisian Army AMX-13/75 is mocked up as a German Panzer IV medium tank serving with the Afrika Korps.

See also

AMX series

Vehicles of comparable role, performance, and era

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b The Complete Guide to Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles, ISBN 978-1-84681-110-4 [page needed]
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  3. ^ Ogorkiewicz, Richard (1991). Technology of tanks, Volume 1 (1991 ed.). Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-0-7106-0595-5.
  4. ^ Jean Charles Auffret. "La cavalerie pendant la guerre d'Algérie - Le 1er RHP". FNCV (in French). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  5. ^ Singh, Jogindar (1993). Behind the Scene: An Analysis of India's Military Operations, 1947-1971. Lancer Publishers. p. 117. ISBN 978-1-897829-20-2.
  6. ^ a b Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. p. 114. ISBN 978-81-7023-516-3.
  7. ^ Bajwa, Kuldip Singh (2008). India's National Security: Military Challenges and Responses. Har-Anand Publications. pp. 225–235. ISBN 978-81-241-1389-9.
  8. ^ History, Official. "All out war pg 39" (PDF). Official History of 1965 war. Times of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Peace Research Institute Arms Trade Register". armstrade.sipri.org.
  10. ^ "Panser Kavaleri: Selalu Hadir di Saat Genting". sainsindonesia.co.id (in Indonesian). 27 November 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  11. ^ "AMX-13 : Tank Tempur Utama TNI-AD". indomiliter.com (in Indonesian). 10 August 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  12. ^ "AMX-13 VCI Kavaleri TNI AD Pernah Dipasangi Kubah 'Tertutup' Dengan Senapan Mesin Sedang". indomiliter.com (in Indonesian). 23 November 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Tank Saksi Bisu Operasi Militer di Aceh Ikuti Pawai Kemerdekaan". news.okezone.com (in Indonesian). 18 August 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Detik-detik Tank Tabrak Gerobak dan 4 Motor, TNI Siap Ganti Rugi". kompas.com (in Indonesian). 10 September 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Penyebar Video Insiden Tank Tabrak Gerobak Tak Diburu, Malah Sudah Ganti Rugi". voi.id (in Indonesian). 11 September 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  16. ^ a b Robinson, Lau and Gibeau, Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives (2018), p. 185.
  17. ^ Kassis, Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2012), pp. 15; 21–22.
  18. ^ Robinson, Lau and Gibeau, Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives (2018), p. 185, note 49.
  19. ^ Kassis (2012), p. 49.
  20. ^ "AMX-13 light tank of the Army of Free Lebanon at the siege of Tel al-Zaatar, East Beirut, July 1976". May 29, 2009.
  21. ^ Kassis, 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon (2003), p. 59.
  22. ^ "AMX-13 DCA SPAAG (1956)". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com.
  23. ^ "SS11 TCA". www.globalsecurity.org.
  24. ^ Hogg, Ian (2000). Twentieth-Century Artillery. Barnes & Noble Books. pp. 250. ISBN 978-0-7607-1994-7.
  25. ^ a b c d Robinson, M. P. (2017). The AMX 13 Light Tank : Rare photographs from wartime archives. Peter Lau, Guy Gibeau. Barnsley, South Yorkshire. ISBN 978-1-5267-0168-8. OCLC 1061275239.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  26. ^ "Amazon Compact Fire Control System" (PDF). indracompany.com. 29 November 2020.
  27. ^ a b "Official AM-13SM1 Brochure" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  28. ^ Nerguizian, Aram; Cordesman, Anthony (2009). The North African Military Balance: Force Developments in the Maghreb. Washington DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies Press. pp. 25–27. ISBN 978-089206-552-3.
  29. ^ Baja de los ultimos tanques livianos AMX-13 del Ejército Argentino - Bunker Argentino, 2020-01-07 (accessed 2022-07-17)
  30. ^ "AMX-13 VTT - Milpedia". Archived from the original on 2011-04-03. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
  31. ^ Kolodziej, Edward A. "Making and Marketing Arms: The French Experience and Its Implications for the International System." Princeton University Press, 2014. ISBN 1-40085-877-1. pp 48–49.
  32. ^ Piet F. van den Heuvel; Alfred Staarman. "AMX voertuigen in de Koninklijke Landmacht, 1961-1983" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2013.
  33. ^ "Rare photos from 1965 Pakistan-India war".

Bibliography

  • Speilberger, Walter (1967). AMX.13. Armour in Profile. Profile Publications. Nº 12.
  • Kassis, Samer (2012). Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975-1981. Chyah: Trebia Publishing. ISBN 978-9953-0-2372-4.
  • Lau, Peter (2006). The AMX-13 Light Tank. Vol. 1: Chassis. Rock Publications.
  • Lau, Peter (2007). The AMX-13 Light Tank. Vol. 2: Turret. Rock Publications.

External links

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