The AMX-10P is a French amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. It was developed from 1965 onwards to replace the AMX-VCI in the French Army.[4] It served with the French Army from its introduction in 1973 until its retirement in 2015, when it was fully replaced by the VBCI.[1][5]
| AMX-10P | |
|---|---|
 An AMX-10P at the Musée des Blindés, Saumur. | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | Iran–Iraq War Gulf War Bosnian War War in Iraq (2013–2017) |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1968[1] |
| Manufacturer | GIAT Industries[2] |
| Produced | 1973–1994[3] |
| No. built | 1,750[3] |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 14.2 tonnes (15.7 short tons; 14.0 long tons)[4] |
| Length | 5.778 m (18 ft 11.5 in)[1] |
| Width | 2.78 m (9 ft 1 in)[1] |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) (hull)[1] |
| Crew | 3 (commander, gunner, driver) + 8 passengers[1] |
Main armament | 20 mm F2/M693 autocannon (800 rounds)[1] |
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm MAS coaxial machine gun (2,000 rounds)[4] |
| Engine | Hispano-Suiza Model 115-2 eight-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel[1] 205 kW (275 hp) at 3,000 rpm[1] |
| Power/weight | 14.9 kW/t (20.0 hp/t)[1] |
| Ground clearance | 0.45m[4] |
| Fuel capacity | 528 litres[4] |
Operational range | 600 km (370 mi)[4] |
| Maximum speed | 65 km/h (40 mph)[4] |
The AMX-10P was also successfully exported, and continues to serve with several nations' militaries. It was selected by a number of Arab armies and has been operated by Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.[2] Special marine variants were developed for Singapore and Indonesia, including the AMX-10 PAC 90 fire support version with a 90 mm gun.[3][4]
The AMX-10P is fully amphibious, being propelled through water at speeds of up to 7 km/h by twin waterjets. It is fitted as standard with a trim vane and bilge pumps to assist with the flotation process.[2] The AMX-10P shares a number of common transmission and chassis components with its wheeled counterpart, the AMX-10 RC.[1]
Development history
editThe AMX-10P was developed by the Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) in response to a French army requirement for a new tracked armoured fighting vehicle to supplement or replace the ageing AMX-VCI.[4] The first prototypes were completed around 1968. They were showcased to potential domestic and international customers at Satory in 1969.[1] Production did not commence until the French Army placed its first order in late 1972.[1] The first AMX-10Ps were delivered in mid to late 1973 to the 7th Mechanised Brigade stationed at Reims.[1]
French Army AMX-10Ps were fitted with a 20 mm autocannon in a Toucan II two-man turret with seating for a gunner and commander. Other one-man turrets could be fitted, as well as an observation cupola for training vehicles.[4] Export variants of the AMX-10P abounded, including models equipped with battlefield surveillance radars, the ATILA artillery fire control system, a bank of HOT anti-tank missiles, 60 mm or 81 mm gun-mortars, and a large 90 mm gun.[4]
Greece was the first foreign power to purchase the AMX-10P. Between 1974 and 1977 the Hellenic Army ordered over 100 vehicles in three separate variants.[6] Qatar ordered 30 AMX-10Ps in 1975, while Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia accounted for large export orders during the early 1980s.[6] GIAT Industries accepted a final order from Singapore for AMX-10P PAC-90s in 1994,[6] following which the production lines were closed.[3] At this point 1,750 AMX-10Ps had been manufactured.[3]
108 AMX-10Ps underwent extensive overhauls to improve their armour and mobility between 2006 and 2008, including new gearboxes and suspension systems.[7] By 2015, however, the AMX-10P had been entirely withdrawn from French service, being replaced by the VBCI.[5]
Description
editAMX-10P hulls are fabricated from a welded steel[1] or aluminum alloy[2] and notable for their parallel incorporation of the driving and engine compartments. The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle and to the left.[1] An AMX-10P's driving compartment is provided with a single hatch cover opening to the rear and three periscopes intended for observation purposes when the hatch is closed.[1]
Night vision equipment was not fitted as standard to the base production model. One of the three driving periscopes could be replaced with combined day/night intensification sights as needed.[1] The troop compartment is at the rear of the hull, and provided with two roof hatches. Passengers embark and debark from a ramp, which is accessed through two doors at the rear.[1]
Transmission consists of a hydraulic torque converter coupled to a gearbox with one reverse and four forward driving gears.[1] The AMX-10P utilises a torsion bar suspension, which supports five road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and idler near the rear.[1] These can be accessed from inside the hull through maintenance panels.[1]
Standard AMX-10P turrets are equipped with a GIAT M693 automatic cannon firing two different types of both high explosive ammunition and armour-piercing ammunition.[1] More than one ammunition type may be loaded at once and fired alternatively.[8] The high explosive rounds have a muzzle velocity of 1,050 m/s. The latest armour-piercing round has a muzzle velocity of 1,300 m/s and is capable of penetrating 20 mm of rolled homogeneous armour at an incidence of 60°.[1] The autocannon has a cyclic rate of fire of 740 rounds per minute, with the gunner being able to switch between semiautomatic, limited burst, or fully automatic fire as necessary.[8]
External
editAMX-10Ps have a very distinctive, pointed hull and a sloping glacis plate, with the driver's position plainly visible to the left.[2] The hull roof is horizontal as well as sloped slightly inwards, accommodating a turret ring near the centre of the chassis.[2] Both hull sides are vertical and lack firing ports.[2] There is a circular exhaust outlet on the right side of the hull above the second and third road wheels.[2]
Variants
edit
- AMX-10P: Standard production model. Armed with a two-man Toucan II turret and a M963 F2 20 mm autocannon.[4]
- AMX-10P 25: AMX-10P with a one-man Dragar turret and a M811 25 mm autocannon.[4] This was trialled by the French Army but not adopted into service.[2] It was later adopted by the Singapore Armed Forces.[3]
- AMX-10P Marine: AMX-10P with improved amphibious capabilities and a modified propulsion system that allowed for top speeds of up to 10 km/h in water.[4] This variant was developed for the Indonesian Marine Corps.[4]
- AMX-10P Sanitaire: A turretless AMX-10P designed as an ambulance vehicle.[4] It carried a wide range of medical equipment.[1]
- AMX-10ECH: AMX-10P modified as an armoured recovery vehicle, including a large hydraulic crane.[2] Also known as the AMX-10D.[1]
- AMX-10P/HOT: AMX-10P carrying HOT anti-tank missiles.[2] Two external HOT launchers were located on either side of the hull, with an additional twenty missiles stored outside.[1] This variant was developed for the Saudi Arabian Army.[3] At least 92 were manufactured.[6]
- AMX-10PC: AMX-10P modified as a command vehicle, including additional radios, a collapsible awning on either side of the hull, and a large generator on the hull roof.[1]
- AMX-10 RATAC: An unarmed AMX-10P with a RATAC fire control radar mounted over its turret ring and a tracing table located inside the hull.[1]
- AMX-10RAV: AMX-10P modified as a general cargo transporter. The French Army used this model to transport artillery ammunition.[4]
- AMX-10RC: Wheeled variant of the AMX-10P developed for armed reconnaissance.[4]
- AMX-10SAO: AMX-10P modified as a mobile forward artillery observation post. It possessed a long-range laser rangefinder in its turret, as well as a 7.62mm machine gun.[4]
- AMX-10SAT: AMX-10P modified as an artillery survey vehicle.[3] It was fitted with a custom navigation system.[4]
- AMX-10TM: AMX-10P modified as an artillery tractor, with a new one-man turret and its rear ramp removed.[1] It towed a F1 120 mm mortar and carried 60 mortar projectiles.[4]
- AMX-10VOA: AMX-10P modified as a mobile forward artillery observation post. It possessed a slightly different turret from the AMX-10SAO.[4]
- AMX-10VFA: AMX-10P carrying the ATILA artillery fire control system.[4] This spawned two sub-variants of its own, the more simplified AMX-10VLA, and the more sophisticated AMX-10VFA.[4]
- AMX-10P TMC-81: AMX-10P with an 81 mm breech loading, Hotchkiss-Brandt CL-81 gun-mortar.[4] Similar in concept to the earlier CM60A1, the CL-81 fired both high explosive and armour-piercing shells.[4]
- AMX-10P PAC-90: AMX-10P with the complete turret and 90 mm main gun assembly of the Panhard ERC-90 Sagaie armoured car.[4] It carried 30 90 mm shells and 2,000 rounds of 7.62mm machine gun ammunition.[4] This variant was marketed primarily to Indonesia and Singapore.[3]
- AMX-10M: Modified AMX-10M to fitted the 142mm ACRA Launcher with 20mm secondary gun.[9][10]
Operators
edit
Indonesia: 34 including 10 AMX-10PAC-90 purchased from France.[11] All in service with the Indonesian Marines as of 2024.[12]
Morocco: 10 currently in service.[12][13]
Qatar: 36 received from France.[11] IISS reports 40 AMX-10P currently in service.[12]
Saudi Arabia: 293 purchased from France in 1974.[11] IISS reports 380 AMX-10P and a further 90+ AMX-10P ATGM Carriers in service as of 2024.[12]
Singapore: 44 purchased from France in 1990.[11] IISS reports 22 in storage as of 2024.[12]
Former operators
edit
Bosnia-Herzegovina: 25 received from France in 1999.[11]
France: 331 in service in 2011;[14] withdrawn from service in 2015.[5][15]
Greece: 69 purchased from France in 1974.[11]
Iraq: 29 received from France between 1981-82;[11] some modernized in 2015[16]
UAE: 15-18 purchased from France in 1976.[11]
See also
editAMX series
editVehicles of comparable role, performance, and era
edit- FV510 Warrior – (United Kingdom)
- Marder – (West Germany)
- Schützenpanzer Puma – (Germany)
- Dardo – (Italy)
- Bionix – (Singapore)
- BMP-2 – (Soviet Union)
- M2 Bradley – (United States)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad Christopher F. Foss (1976). Jane's World Armoured Fighting Vehicles (1976 ed.). Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. pp. 213–216. ISBN 0-354-01022-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Christopher F. Foss (2000). Jane's Tanks and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide (2000 ed.). Harper Collins Publishers. pp. 142–145. ISBN 978-0-00-472452-2.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i O'Malley, T.J. (1996). Fighting Vehicles: Armoured Personnel Carriers & Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books. pp. 322–342. ISBN 978-1-85367-211-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Chant, Christopher (1987). A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware. New York: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 44–45. ISBN 0-7102-0720-4. OCLC 14965544.
- ^ a b c Jean-Dominique Merchet (28 May 2015). "À quoi ressemblera l'armée de terre en 2020 ?". Secret Défense (in French). Archived from the original on 26 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
- ^ "France to Upgrade 108 AMX-10P APCs". Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
- ^ a b Pretty, Ronald (1980). Jane's Weapon Systems, 1979–80 (1979 ed.). Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd. pp. 312–731. ISBN 978-0-531-03299-2.
- ^ "Department of the army". 1971.
- ^ "Content hosted at ImgBB".
- ^ a b c d e f g h SIPRI. "SIPRI Arms Transfer Database". SIPRI. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e International Institute for Strategic Studies (2024). The Military Balance 2024. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-040-05115-3.
- ^ 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. 27–28. ISBN 978-0-89206-552-3.
- ^ "Les chiffres-clés de la Défense – édition 2011". Ministère français de la Défense. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
- ^ "Projet de loi de finances pour 2008 : Défense - Equipement des forces". senat.fr (in French). 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Iraqi engineers have refurbished AMX-10P and Panhard IFVs/APCs in Basra, southern #Iraq. For security forces. - ISIS - ISIL map, map of war in Syria, Iraq, Libya - Daesh map - Mosul operation - isis.liveuamap.com". December 20, 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
External links
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