The French AMX-13 Tank

About The French AMX-13 Light Tank

The French AMX-13 Tank was a very unique vehicle and a very popular export vehicle for the French arms industry. It was the first tank of many to use an automatic loader for the main gun.

The initial design of the vehicle began in 1946 at the end of WW2 with the first prototype completed in 1948 and designated AMX-13. After successful field trials, it entered production with the French company Atelier de Construction Roanne (AKA – AMR) in 1952, but by the early 1960’s production had been taken over by the French firm Creusot-Loire (which was taken over by the former GIAT Industries) at Chalon-sur-Saone whilst AMR concentrated on the newly developed AMX-30 MBT.

The Oscillating Turret

To reduce weight it couldn’t be fitted with heavy armour as the vehicle had to be air portable to support paratroopers, so its designers decided to reduce the height of its silhouette with a new turret design. Rather than the traditional design of the main gun being elevated as found on other tanks, the upper half of the AMX-13’s turret would elevate rather than the main gun, whilst the lower half of the The AMX-13 turret is made up of x2 parts.

The AMX-13 Oscillating turret
Diagram of The AMX-13 Oscillating turret – Click To enlarge

Part 1 is attached to the turret ring and can traverse left and right by 360 degree’s. Part 2, the upper hull osculates on a central point large pin (one either side attached to part 1) as marked as a red cirle in the picture. The main gun is fixed to Part 2 and relys on the osculating  of Part 2 to elevate and depress it. Picture belows shows Part 2 osculated and the main gun elevated.

AMX-13 Production Models

AMX-13 “Chaffee Turret” (1952)

AMX-13 with M24 Chaffee Turret
AMX-13 with M24 Chaffee Turret

The AMX-13 was first fitted with the turret of the American Chaffee Light Tank complete with its main gun etc, but the hull and its running gear was that of the AMX-13. Only limited number were built.

AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (1952)

AMX-13/75 Modèle 51
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51

The next model used the same FL-11 turret as Panhard EBR Armored Car and had only x2 top rollers in the tracks. The crew would manually load the Main Gun. Again limited number were built.

AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (1952)

AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (1952)
AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (1952)

The  Modèle 51 was the main production model. it was fitted with the FL-10 turret, mounting a 75mm Main Gun and the tracks featured x4 top rollers.

AMX-13 T75 aka “Char Lance SS-11” (1962 onwards)

AMX-13 T75 Char Lance SS-11
AMX-13 T75 aka “Char Lance SS-11” (1962 onwards)

Above image is copyright and courtesey of http://www.chars-francais.net/2015/

Concerned with the effectivness of the 75mm Main Gun at the time, the decission was made to fit a launcher on top of the main gun, that fired x4 SS-11 ATGM. It was later re-designated “AMX-13 T75 avec TCA” once it was fitted with an electronic guidance system for the missiles.

AMX-13/90 (1966)

AMX-13-90
The AMX-13/90

Fitted with a CN-90-F3 90mm Main Gun in a FL-10 Turret. The Main Gun had a thermal sleeve and late fitted with a Laser Designator.

AMX-13/105 Modèle 58 (Early 1970’s)

AMX-13/105 Modèle 58
AMX-13/105 Modèle 58

105mm L/44 main gun mounted in a FL-12 Turret. The 105mm Main Gun was later offered with a Thermal Sleeve.

AMX-13/105 Modèle 1987 (1987)

The last of the AMX-13 series to be developed (but didn’t enter production) it offered increased frontal protection (unspecified/no pictures), firepower (could be retrofitted with various Fire Control Systems) and mobility, with the choice of Diesel engines, new transmission as well as hydro pneumatic suspension.

Engines Offered:
Baudouin 6F 11 SRY, diesel 280hp. Road range increased to between 550 to 600 km and a top road speed of 65 km/h
Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T, diesel 280hp. Road range increased to between 550 to 600 km and a top road speed of 65 km/h

Transmission:
An automatic transmission from Rockford Powertrain

The hydro pneumatic suspension would have enabled faster speed across rough terrain, smoother ride for the crew (reducing fatigue) and assisted with better firing on the move.

AMX-13 Prototypes Trialled

AMX-13 57mm L/100 (1948-1952?)

AMX-13 57mm L/100
AMX-13 57mm L/100

This vehice Is featured in World Of Tanks as a premium vehicle. It mounts a fast firing 57mm with the capcity to carry more rounds in the autoloader. Remaind at the prototype stage.

AMX-13 FL-10 Turret on M24 Chaffee Hull (1955-56)

The AMX-13 FL-10 Turret on M24 Chaffee Hull
The AMX-13 FL-10 Turret on M24 Chaffee Hull (1955-56)

In 1955-1956, while AMX-13 was in early production phase, a single prototype was made, coupling the AMX-13’s FL-10 turret with the M24 chassis. It was deemed unsatisfactory and project was abandoned.

AMX-13 HOT Early Version (1976-78)

AMX-13 HOT Early Version
AMX-13 HOT Early Version

Developed for both home and export, HOT ATGM system was proposed to make up for the lacking armor piercing capability of the old 75mm main gun. The vehicle was not accepted into service due to other newer French vehicles entering service. The above picture is believed to be the first version upgraded with the HOT ATGM system. It had a new sight for missile guidance and a pod of x4 HOT missiles on either side of the turret.

AMX-13 HOT Late Version

AMX-13-75 HOT (later model)
AMX-13-75 HOT (later model)

The above picture is believed to be the final HOT version completed in 1978. The guidance sight appears to have been retained but the firing pods changed to carry either x2 or x3 HOT missiles. The HOT missile is an Optical Remote-Guided anti-tank missile that entered production in 1976 and upgraded in to 3 variants throughout its service life.

DF 105 Combat Tank (Mid 1980’s)

DF 105 Combat Tank
DF 105 Combat Tank

The DF 105 was a tank destroyer / support tank design (just like Pz57 in game FL-15 Turret mounted on a Marder 1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The FL-15 turret was developed in 1983 as a further development of the earlier FL-12.

This oscillating turret was equipped with the modern SOPTAC Fire Control system and TCV 186 laser rangefinder. The turret was equipped with the French 105mm FN gun. The turret armor was 40mm thick and could depress and elevate -8 / + 12. Rate of fire of fire was 12 rounds per minute and the ammunition capacity was 50 shots of various types – HE (T) , HEAP, HEAT, APDS (T) and APFSDS. The entire vehicle weighed 30 tons and was powered by a 720hp MB-833 Ka-500 engine just like the TAM.

The French AMX-13 Tank Variants

AMX-13 PDP AVLB
AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 51 – Scissors type AVLB

AMX-13 DTT
Driver training tank with the turret of the M24 Chaffee
AMX-DCA AKA AMX-13/S530 –
Self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle with two HS 831 30 mm cannons
AMX-DCA 30 AKA Bitube de 30 mm anti-aérien automoteur, Oeil Noir –
Self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle 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 AKA AMX-D
Armoured recovery vehicle
AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 51 –
Scissors type AVLB

AMX-13 DCA anti aircraft vehicle
The AMX-13 DCA anti aircraft vehicle

Above image is copyright and courtesey of http://www.chars-francais.net/2015/

The more common variants of the AMX-13 are the Mk F3 155mm self-propelled howitzer, the AMX VCI APC (10 infantrymen) and the AMX-13 DCA anti-aircraft equipped with two 30mm Hispano cannons (only 60 were manufactured). Other vehicles include a bridge layer (AKA AVLB) and armoured recovery vehicle.

AMX-13 Combat History

Isreali AMX-13
Isreali AMX-13/75 During the 6 Day War

Of the estimated 7700 manufactured AMX – 13’s, 3400 were exported all around the world and saw action in the Six-Day War when 200 of them were deployed by the IDF. They were also used in a limited number of French air-bourne operations.

The French AMX-13/75 Tank Spec’s

Armament: 75mm main gun one/two 7.5mm or 7.62mm machine guns
Crew: 3 Driver, commander & gunner
Weight: 14.76 tons
Dimensions: length 4.88m width 2.51m height 2.3m
Powerpack: Sofan model 8Gxb 8 cylinder petrol generating 250hp
Speed: road 60km/h
Range: 350/400km
Suspension: Torsion bar

The French AMX-13 Tank Operators:

Argentina / Dominican Republic / Ecuador / Indonesia / Ivory Coast / Lebanon / Peru / Singapore / Veneuela

AMX-13/75 Operator Upgrades

Singapore (1988): AMX-13SM1

Singapore (1988): AMX-13SM1
Singapore (1988): AMX-13SM1

290bhp turbo-charged Detroit Diesel 6V-53T engine, new ZF 5WG-180 fully automatic transmission, new electrical system and a hydro pneumatic suspension system (so faster off-road). Fire Control System was upgraded by ST Kinetics with a new laser range-finder and night vision.

Switzerland (1952 onwards): Leichter Panzer 51

Switzerland (1952 onwards): Leichter Panzer 51
Switzerland (1952 onwards): Leichter Panzer 51

AMX-13/90 Operator Upgrades

Venezuela (1988): AMX-13V

Venezuela (1988): AMX-13V
Venezuela (1988): AMX-13V

US Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T engine developing 280 hp coupled to a Borg Warner three-speed fully automatic transmission with torque converter, a new Chausson air-water/oil cooler, hydro pneumatic units for increased cross-country mobility.
A SOPELEM 18-02 SOPTAC fire-control system incorporating an M213 day sight and a TCV-107 laser range-finder has been fitted.
An Israeli Tadiran communications system is fitted.

AMX-13/105 Operator Upgrades

Ecuador (1988): No re-designation

AMX-13 Ecuado
AMX-13 Ecuado

SOPELEM Fire Control System, no thermal sights

Indonesia (2014): Tank AMX-13 Retrofit aka Yonkav 2 Tank

Indonesia (2014): Tank AMX-13 Retrofit aka Yonkav 2 Tank
Indonesia (2014): Tank AMX-13 Retrofit aka Yonkav 2 Tank

Complete armor package, Navistar 320hp engine, and other upgrades too. Requires further info as development is ongoing. Great Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWO15TOuNcA

Netherlands (1972 onwards): AMX-13/FL-12 [Modernised]

AMX-13-105 Netherlands
AMX-13-105 Netherlands

AMX-13/FL-12 [Modernised] Fitted with a searchlight and FN MAG machine-guns
AMX-13/FL-15 Dutch FL-12 version refitted with an FL-15 Turret

Peru (2010): AMX-13PA3 “Escorpion”

AMX-13PA3 "Escorpion"
AMX-13PA3 “Escorpion”

Fitted with modern communications and x4 9M14-2T missiles (AT-3 Sagger)

Peru (2010): AMX-13 tank Alacran or “Scorpion” Tank Destroyer

AMX-13 tank Alacran or “Scorpion” Tank Destroyer
AMX-13 tank Alacran or “Scorpion” Tank Destroyer

105mm Main Gun removed and turret fitted with a dual ATGM launcher firing 9M133 Kornet and a x3 launcher proposed too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=3&v=HWiU5qUpox8 Video of turret movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuLu4if2m80

AMX-13 International Upgrades

NIMDA AMX-13 Modernization Program (Israel)

NIMDA AMX-13 Modernization Program
NIMDA AMX-13 Modernization Program

NIMDA AMX-13 Spec Sheet

AMX-13 NIMDA Spec Sheet
AMX-13 NIMDA Spec Sheet

Cockerill 90mm Mk IVA3 Main Gun Package

Cockerill 90mm Mk IVA3 Main Gun Package
Cockerill 90mm Mk IVA3 Main Gun Package

Cockerill Mechanical Industries offered a 90mm Mk IVA3 re-gunning package for the AMX-13 light tank as a replacement for the existing 75mm or 105mm Main Gun.

The new Main Gun required additional modifications, which were sold with the Mk IVA3 as a package:

  • Fume Extractor, a muzzle brake and breech ring accessories
  • Changes to the two six-round ammunition drums, the turret basket ammunition racks and the existing automatic loading system.

STATUS

A total of 22 packages had been produced for export. This upgrade package- is no longer being marketed by Cockerill Mechanical Industries.