Country of origin |
France |
Entered service |
1963 |
Crew |
4 |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
36 t |
Length (gun forward) |
9.5 m |
Hull length |
6.6 m |
Width |
3.1 m |
Height |
2.8 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
105 mm rifled |
Machine guns |
1 x 7.62 mm, 1 x 20 mm |
Elevation range |
- 8 to + 20 degrees |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
47 rounds |
Machine guns |
2 050 x 7.62 mm rounds, 1 050 x 20 mm rounds |
Mobility |
Engine |
Hispano-Suiza HS-110 diesel |
Engine power |
720 hp |
Maximum road speed |
65 km/h |
Range |
650 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
30% |
Vertical step |
0.93 m |
Trench |
2.9 m |
Fording |
1.3 m |
Fording (with preparation) |
4 m |
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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.
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