AMX-30

   The AMX-30 main battle tank was developed in late 1950's to meet the French Army requirements. First prototypes were built in 1960 and it entered service with the French Army in 1963. Production of this MBT commenced in 1966 and ceased in 1993. About 2 800 of these main battle tanks including variants were built for the French Army and export customers, including Greece (190 units) and Saudi Arabia (250 units). Between 1974 and 1984 the AMX-30 was also license-produced in Spain. A total of 299 AMX-30E were built for the Spanish Army. French Army retired its AMX-30 series tanks in 2011. It was replaced in service with a new and more capable Leclerc MBT. Though by 2020 the AMX-30 was still in service with some of the export operators, including Cyprus, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.

   The AMX-30 has a welded hull and cast turret. Its development was focused on firepower and mobility rather than protection. It could be penetrated by all contemporary anti-tank weapons. The AMX-30 was regarded as the least protected main battle tank ever built.

Commander's cupola allows a panoramic view. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems. Armor of the AMX-30 is very thin and protects only from small-bore cannons and artillery shell splinters.

   The AMX-30 is fitted with non-stabilized French CN-105 F-1 105 mm rifled gun, which is comparable with the British L7, but has a longer 56 calibers barrel. The AMX-30 fires APFSDS, HE, HEAT, HE-FRAG, incendiary, smoke and illumination rounds. It is also compatible with all standard NATO 105 mm munitions. A total of 47 rounds are carried. Effective range of fire against MBTs is about 1 800 meters.

   Secondary armament consists of 20 mm cannon with independent elevation and a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. The first production AMX-30 main battle tanks were fitted with 12.7 mm machine guns in place of the 20 mm cannons.

   Vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   The AMX-30 is powered by Hispano-Suiza HS-110 multi-fuel diesel engine, developing 720 hp. Engine is mated to an automatic transmission. The tank is fitted with a deep wading kit and can ford water obstacles up to 4 meters deep.

Variants

   AMX-30B2 improved variant with better armor protection and new fire control system. This MBT is also fitted with new Hispano-Suiza HS-110-S2 diesel engine. The AMX-30B2 entered service in 1982. A total of 700 AMX-30 MBTs were upgraded to this standard.

   AMX-30S export variant, developed for desert operations. It has a downgraded engine and sand shields.

   AMX-30E is a Spanish license-produced variant. It had some modifications to meet specific Spanish Army requirements. Production in Spain commenced in 1974 and ceased in 1984. A total of 299 AMX-30E tanks were built for the Spanish Army. These were retired in 2002.

   AMX-30D armored recovery vehicle. Its French designation is AMX-30 Char de Depannage, or literally assistance tank. It was designed to support the AMX-30 tanks and other armored vehicles. It was the first mass produced variant of the AMX-30, adopted in 1973. Production continued until 1981. A total of 145 units were delivered to the French Army. Another 90 were built for the export customers who obtained the AMX-30 tanks.

   AU-F1 GCT 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. First prototype was built in 1972. Production commenced in 1977 and ceased in 1993. A total of 250-273 of these artillery systems were produced for the French Army. It was exported to Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

   AMX-30H armored bridgelayer.

   AMX-30 EBG armored engineer vehicle. It is also known simply as the EBG. It is fitted with a dozer blade and manipulator arm. It was adopted in 1989. A total of 71 units were built. In 2018 only 18 of these vehicles were operational. Some more vehicles were kept in long term storage. It is planned to remain in service until 2025.

   AMX-30 EBG SDPMAC minefield breaching vehicle. It lacks a manipulator arm, but is fitted with Israeli CARPET launcher and 20 rockets. It creates safe lanes in minefields for other vehicles to pass. It clears a 100 m long lane, which is 8-10 meters wide. This vehicle retains its dozer blade. It was adopted in 2008. In 2018 only 6 of these vehicles were operational and the other were kept in long term storage.

   AMX-30 EBG Vulcain is a recent armored engineer vehicle, fitted with an excavator arm. It was first observed in 2020.

   AMX-30 EBD armored minesweeper.

   AMX-30 DCA twin 30 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Never reached production.

   AMX-30R Roland surface-to-air missile system.

   Shihane anti-aircraft missile system, built for Saudi Arabia.

   Pluton short-range ballistic missile carrier.

   AMX-32 further development of the AMX-30 main battle tank, fitted with improved armor protection. This prototype was aimed at the export market, however it received no production orders.