In the long history of tank warfare, the French AMX 13 has become a legend with its awesome design and enduring combat effectiveness. In this article, we'll take you through what makes this tank unique, how it has performed in past conflicts, and why it's still in service around the world today.
Tanks, the indestructible and devastating beasts of war, were key players in many conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. In order to break the stalemate of trench warfare on the Western Front of the First World War, the concept of tank warfare was born. Britain and France, on the other hand, made a concerted effort to promote the development of the first tanks in the First World War.
Israel AMX13
In 1915, the British "land ships" were given the name "tank" in order to keep the secrecy of armored vehicles. In order to fool enemy spies, the British military spread a rumor that they had been creating a "mobile tank".
On September 15, 1916, the British Army deployed these armoured landing ships for the first time in the Battle of the Somme, and the world saw tanks in battle for the first time. Throughout the 20th century, tanks played an active role in the military and witnessed fierce and devastating battles.
As a powerful mobile weapon platform, the tank is equipped with a large-caliber rotary cannon, capable of effectively stopping the advance of enemy vehicles. From the Battle of the Bulge in World War II to the Battle of Dezfur in the Iran-Iraq War in 1981, tanks have been the world's most important offensive weapon.
Close-up view of the swinging turret
However, after the fall of France in 1940, the development of armored vehicles in France fell into a period of stagnation, which continued throughout World War II. Although France probably had the finest tank design in Europe before the war, after being occupied by the Germans, France became a puppet state of Vichy France.
With the end of the war, the French military saw the need to continue its pre-war tradition of tank design and quickly began the development of several models. In 1946, they drew up preliminary drawings of the Char 13t-75 Modèle 51, the tank that later became known as the AMX 13.
The AMX 13 gets its name from its original weight, which is 13 tons. Perhaps the most innovative feature of the tank was its swinging turret, which was made of two hinged parts, to which the gun was fixed, and the entire upper turret was able to change height.
This design provides for a higher gun position, a smaller turret size, and easier autoloader installation. The AMX 13 uses a loading system fed by two six-round magazines.
Decommissioned Israeli AMX-13, shown from the rear and sides
However, the auto-loading system proved to be unreliable enough, which led to the unpopularity of the design. The AMX 13 was originally designed as a light tank suitable for air transport and was intended to act as a fire support vehicle for paratroopers.
In 1948, the first prototype began trial operation, and by 1953 the tank was already in production. It was armed with a 75-mm gun, a machine gun and smoke grenade launchers and was designed to provide rapid fire support after an airborne rebellion.
The armor of the AMX 13 was relatively light (10-40 mm thick) in order to reduce the weight of the tank and increase its speed and mobility. The AMX tank is capable of reaching speeds of up to 37 mph (60 km/h).
It was identified as a light tank for the French Army, while the AMX 13 produced more than a hundred different variants during its service, including self-propelled guns, air defense systems, armored personnel carriers and ATGM versions.
The tank was tested as part of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment during the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956. In the Algerian War of Independence, it also took part in a number of operations, but due to the peculiarities of the conflict, that is, the widespread guerrilla tactics used by the Algerians, this tank found itself practically useless.
AMX 13 is exported to other countries, including Israel, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Pakistan, etc. During the Six-Day War, 400 AMX tanks were part of the IDF armored forces.
AA version of AMX 13; Image source
Obviously, the tank was too light in armor and armament and could hardly accomplish other tasks than to excel in support and reconnaissance. The AMX 13 also underperformed as part of Pakistan's arsenal during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, cementing its reputation as unrivaled to the main battle tanks of the time.
Despite this, the AMX 13 has undergone several modernizations and continues to serve with the militaries of 11 countries, including Argentina, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Nepal, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kuwait, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela.
The legend of the AMX 13 is not only a symbol of French tank design, but also an outstanding example of innovation and adaptation to diverse needs. Although the initial automated loading system was unsatisfactory, the tenacity and determination of the French military drove the continuous improvement of the AMX 13, adapting it to a variety of operational environments and mission needs.
As a model of a light tank, the tank was known for its high mobility, speed and versatility. The AMX 13's swinging turret design, while controversial at the time of its debut, became its unique feature, providing an innovative solution for increasing the gun position, reducing the turret size, and simplifying the installation of the autoloader.
Over the course of its long service, the AMX 13 has participated in numerous combat tests, from the Suez Canal crisis to the Algerian War of Independence, as well as providing reliable fire support to armies in various international conflicts.
Israeli AMX 13 on display next to the Sherman tank
Although it performed poorly in some special environments, such as the guerrilla war in Algeria, the AMX 13 has won the trust of many countries around the world. From Israel to Pakistan, the AMX 13 has left its mark and has become an indispensable part of the military power of all countries.
Overall, the legend of the AMX 13 continues, and despite the changing times and the rapid evolution of tank technology, the classics of this French tank design still shine through. It is not only an outstanding representative of the French military industry after World War II, but also a monument in the history of tank design, witnessing the changes of the times and the continuous evolution of military technology.