SK-105 Kurassier

   Development of the SK-105 Kurassier began in mid-1960s. Production began in 1971 and a total of 600 vehicles were produced. Austrian Army ordered 234 vehicles, while remaining were sold for export customers. Foreign operators include Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Morocco and Tunisia.

   The SK-105 was referred as a tank destroyer by Austrian army, however this vehicle is rather considered as a light tank. The SK-105 Kurassier uses improved chassis of the 4K 4FA armored personnel carrier and mounts an improved French FL-12 turret of the AMX-13 light tank.

   Front armor protects the crew from 20-mm projectiles, while all-round protection is against small arms bullets only. Some export vehicles were fitted with add-on armor.

   Turret of the AMX-13 has an unusual oscillating design. It is made from two parts. Lower part moves horizontally, while the upper part moves with the main gun vertically. The SK-105 Kurassier is armed with a 105-mm rifled gun. This gun is completed with a semi-automatic revolving magazine type autoloader. It allowed to reduce crew to three members. Vehicle has two revolving magazines holding 6 rounds each. A total of 43 rounds for the main gun are carried. The SK-105 Kurassier has a maximum rate of fire in 12 rounds per minute. Unfortunately gun is non-stabilized and vehicle can't fire accurately on the move.

   Secondary armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is mounted coaxially with the main gun, while the other is positioned on top of the roof. Some tanks lack roof mounted MG.

   The SK-105 Kurassier has a crew of three, including commander, gunner and driver.

   Vehicle is powered by Steyr 7FA turbocharged diesel engine, developing 320 horsepower.

Variants

   SK-105A1 could fire armor-piercing rounds of new type. This variant featured improved autoloader and fire control system;

   SK-105A2 is a further development of the SK-105A1, featuring a number of improvements, including new fire control system. It's ammunition loading system is fully automatic;

   SK-105A3 is fitted with a fully-stabilized US M68 105-mm rifled gun (license-produced version of the British L7). Protection of this variant was significantly improved;

   4K-7FA SB 20 Greif armored recovery vehicle;

   4HK 7FA Pionier engineering vehicle;

   4KH 7FA-FA driver training vehicle with turret removed and replaced with superstructure for instructors.