Weapons of Ukrainian victory: The AMX-10RC heavy armored personnel carrier

It has become known that France is sending the first batch of 14 AMX-10RC armored combat vehicles to Ukraine. All about this French “tank fighter”.

It is known that the Ukrainian crews have already completed training at the Saumur Cavalry School, one of the oldest French training centers. This means that the French armored personnel carrier is already on its way to Ukraine and will soon appear on the battlefield. The possibility of supplying armored personnel carriers to our defenders was announced back in December last year, but only now it has become known that our defenders will definitely have them. We decided to find out in more detail what the AMX-10RC armored fighting vehicle, also called a wheeled tank fighter or even a light tank, is.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What is interesting about the AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier

2. History of creation

3. Armor and protection of the AMX-10RC

4. Engine and mobility

5. AMX-10RC crew

6. Powerful weapons

7. Additional equipment of the AMX-10RC

8. Technical characteristics

9. Why AMX-10RC is called a tank fighter

What is interesting about the AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier

The AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier has several interesting features worth mentioning. One of the most important features is its high mobility. According to the developers, due to its powerful engine and relatively light weight, the AMX-10 can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h on highways and up to 60 km/h off-road. This allows the armored personnel carrier to move quickly across the battlefield and provide the necessary support to the infantry.

It is also worth mentioning the ability to conduct combat operations at night, as the AMX-10RC is equipped with a night sight and illumination for combat operations in low visibility conditions.

Of course, firepower is a very important factor for an armored personnel carrier. Here, the French armored vehicle boasts a powerful 105-mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun, which allows it to fire effectively against armored targets and infantry.

The AMX-10RC has small dimensions: about 9 m long (with the gun forward) and less than 2.8 m high, which allows it to maneuver in tight spaces and participate in operations in mountainous areas.

The armored personnel carrier can perform a variety of tasks on the battlefield, including reconnaissance, patrolling, security, infantry support, and others. This demonstrates its flexibility and versatility. These features make the AMX-10RC an effective means of combat support for infantry and destruction of armored targets on the battlefield. So, let’s talk about everything in more detail.

History of creation

The AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier was created in France in the mid-1970s by the French defense company GIAT Industries. This armored personnel carrier was developed on the basis of a modification of the chassis of the AMX-10P armored personnel carrier, which was created earlier for the needs of the French army.

The AMX-10RC was designed as an armored reconnaissance vehicle with a minimal set of weapons capable of operating at a considerable distance from the front line. The main weapon of the AMX-10RC is the 105-mm GIAT CN-105-57 cannon, which is capable of firing conventional and high explosive rounds at a distance of up to 6 km.

The AMX-10RC was first shown at an exhibition in Paris in 1977, and production of these armored personnel carriers began in 1981. In total, more than 300 AMX-10RCs were produced and successfully operated by the French army for many years.

Various modifications of the AMX-10RC were also created, such as the AMX-10RCR model, which was equipped with a tank gun, and the AMX-10RC Sagaie modification, which has an anti-tank missile system installed. The basic version was exported to several countries, including Spain, Greece and Morocco, and is still a well-known armored personnel carrier in the world. Now it is on its way to Ukraine.

Armor and protection of the AMX-10RC

The AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier is protected against bullets and shrapnel, and is capable of protecting the crew from certain types of mines and explosive devices. The AMX-10RC armor consists of aluminum alloys and steel, which provides an optimal balance between protection and weight.

The AMX-10RC has a 10 to 50 mm thick armor coating that provides protection against bullets of up to 12.7 mm caliber. Additional protection is provided by armor panels located on the sides of the conveyor. In addition, the AMX-10RC has a smoke grenade system that can protect against anti-tank guided missiles.

In addition to protection against small arms and mines, the AMX-10RC has protection against radiation and chemical contamination. This armored personnel carrier has an air filtration system that can protect the crew from hazardous substances in case of chemical or nuclear attacks.

In general, the AMX-10RC has a sufficient level of protection to protect the crew and passengers from most threats that can be encountered on the battlefield.

Engine and mobility

The AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier is equipped with a Hispano-Suiza diesel engine located at the rear. This engine develops 280 hp and allows the AMX-10RC to reach a top speed of up to 90 km/h on road and up to 60 km/h off-road. This makes the AMX-10RC one of the fastest armored personnel carriers in its class.

The AMX-10RC is equipped with a hydropneumatic suspension with variable ground clearance and tilt, which allows it to adapt quickly and efficiently to different types of terrain. In addition, it can overcome water obstacles thanks to special safety devices that prevent hydrodynamic forces that could damage the vehicle.

It is also worth noting that the armored vehicle has high maneuverability due to its design and light weight, which is about 16 tons. Interestingly, the AMX-10 is driven like a tank: its wheel axles do not rotate, and the direction of movement is changed by shifting gears separately for the wheels on different sides of the vehicle. This makes it possible to turn on the spot and makes the chassis simpler and more compact. The all-wheel drive 6×6 AMX-10RC is also equipped with a centralized tire inflation system.

AMX-10RC crew

The AMX-10 was designed to carry six people – four crew members and two infantrymen. The crew consists of a driver, a commander, a radio operator and a gunner. The driver’s seat is located in the front of the vehicle, while the rest of the crew is located in the turret.

The commander has a control panel and an observation system that includes a periscope, optical sight and thermal camera. The gunner is responsible for the transporter’s firepower and controls the gun.

The AMX-10RC can transport additional cargo weighing up to 500 kg. This allows for the transportation of additional equipment, ammunition and other materials.

The AMX-10’s manning depends on the specific mission that the armored personnel carrier is performing. It can be used to provide fire support to reconnaissance and infantry units and to provide combat support to units with special missions.

Powerful weapons

The AMX-10RC is equipped with a 105-mm GIAT CN-105-57 cannon mounted on the armored personnel carrier chassis. This cannon can fire conventional shells or high explosive rounds that can penetrate the armor of light armored vehicles. The AMX-10 is also equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the turret, and it is possible to install 7.62 mm machine guns on the sides of the armored personnel carrier.

The GIAT CN-105-57 cannon has a range of up to 6 km, which allows the AMX-10RC to support infantry at a considerable distance from the front line. In addition, the armored personnel carrier is equipped with additional armor on the turret and hull, which provides a certain level of protection for the crew from small arms, mortars and grenade launchers.

In addition to weapons, the AMX-10RC is also equipped with a variety of electronic systems, including navigation and surveillance systems, which allow the crew to quickly obtain information about the environment and potential enemies.

Additional equipment of the AMX-10RC

In addition to powerful weapons and good armor protection, the AMX-10RC has additional equipment that allows it to be effective on the battlefield. In particular, it can be equipped with night sights, which allows it to perform tasks at night.

It should also be noted that the AMX-10 can be equipped with modern navigation equipment that allows the crew to accurately determine their location and quickly navigate the battlefield. All these components allow the AMX-10RC armored personnel carrier to be very effective on the battlefield and successfully perform reconnaissance and infantry fire support tasks.

Technical characteristics

Crew: 4 people (commander, driver, gunner, radio operator)
Length: 9.1 m (with gun)
Hull length: 6,24 м
Width: 2,98 м
Height: 2,64 м
Weight: 16,6 т
Armor: steel armor with a thickness of 13 mm to 50 mm
Armament: 105-mm smoothbore gun, 7.62-mm machine gun
Engine: SACM V8 diesel engine (325 hp)
Maximum speed: 90 km/h
Range on the road: 600 km
Off-road range: 450 km

The AMX-10RC is highly mobile and can travel at high speeds on any type of terrain. It is also equipped with special systems that provide it with the ability to move through water, cross water obstacles, and carry cargo. All these characteristics allow the AMX-10RC to successfully perform tasks related to reconnaissance, combat protection and other activities on the battlefield.

Why AMX-10RC is called a tank fighter

The AMX-10 is called a tank fighter due to its firepower and ability to maneuver quickly on the battlefield. It is armed with a 105 mm cannon that can penetrate tank armor, as well as a 7.62 mm machine gun that provides additional firepower.

The AMX-10RC has high speed and maneuverability, allowing it to move quickly on the battlefield and change positions, avoiding fire from tanks and other enemy units. It also has quite good armor, which allows it to protect the crew from mines, shells and grenades.

In general, the AMX-10 is a fairly versatile combat vehicle that can perform a variety of tasks on the battlefield. However, thanks to its firepower and maneuverability, it can be quite effective in the fight against enemy tanks and other heavy combat vehicles.

I am sure that such reliable and protected equipment is very necessary for our defenders at the front line. That is why we are sincerely grateful to our Western partners, in particular France, for their support and supply of modern military equipment.

We believe in our defenders. The invaders will not escape from retribution. Death to the enemies! Glory to the Armed Forces! Glory to Ukraine!

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Weapons of Ukrainian victory: AMX-10RC heavily armored vehicle