The topic of Ukraine’s war with Russia does not leave the front pages of foreign media. And one of the most controversial issues in recent weeks remains the transfer of tanks. Both Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Prime Minister Denys Shmigal are fighting on the diplomatic front for the transfer of tanks to Ukraine.
Good news also came from Germany, because the Bundestag does not reject such a possibility and calls on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to agree to the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks. However, our officials are also appealing to France with a request to transfer Leclerc tanks.
The French are steadily helping Ukraine, because their CAESAR self-propelled guns and Crotale air defense systems are working successfully at the front. And after US President Joe Biden confirmed the transfer of Bradley fighting vehicles, the French president announced in a conversation with Zelensky the possible supply of French AMX-10 RC armored vehicles. Let’s consider what the French defense complex is known for in this area and what we can soon get from Paris.
Difference between AMX-56 Leclerc and AMX-10 RC
Let’s start with what Emmanuel Macron spoke about. The AMX-10 RC is not quite a tank in the classical sense. It is illogical to compare this armored vehicle with Leopards or even more so with Abrams, although it is classified as a light tank. The two letters RC in the AMX-10 RC name stand for Roues-Canon, which is French for “wheel cannon.”
Course
EXCEL FOR BUSINESS
Master Excel in just 1.5 months and increase the efficiency of business processes in your company.
REGISTER!
The main battle tank of the French army is the AMX-56 Leclerc. And it is just on the same level with the Abrams and Leopards, and, most likely, it is after the announcement of the transfer of American and German tanks that Paris will be ready to take a similar step with the Leclercs.
The manufacturer of the two machines is GIAT (now Nexter). It was she who started the development of both an armored car and a tank in the 80s. The AMX-56 Leclerc replaced the outdated AMX-30 tank and has been in mass production since 1992.
AMX-56 Leclerc operators are only three countries, France has 406 units and 388 tanks in the United Arab Emirates, and these tanks are used by the Jordanian army. The AMX-56 Leclerc is named after General Philippe Leclerc de Autcloque, whose armored division liberated Paris in 1944. At the time of production, this tank was the most expensive in the world.
AMX-10 RC perform the role of reconnaissance vehicles and were created for expeditionary missions. Often this armored car is called a wheeled tank, because in France the word “char” (from French “tank”) is used to describe the car. Serial production of the AMX-10 RC was launched in 1981, and production began as early as the 70s.
Open data indicates that France has 245 AMX-10 RC units in service, 80 units have been exported to Morocco, 12 to Qatar and another 6 have gone to Cameroon. The combat experience of the machine began with the war in the Persian Gulf, and the AMX-10 RC was used in Afghanistan, Mali, Kosovo, Ivory Coast.
First introduction to the AMX-10 RC
Let’s consider the design of the AMX-10 RC armored car to understand how it will strengthen the Armed Forces.
A 105-mm 105/47 F2 MECA rifled gun is placed on a wheeled chassis with a 6×6 formula, which is mounted in a GIAT Industries TK 105 triple turret. The gun is not stabilized, so it does not allow fire on the move, but it has an electro-hydraulic guidance system. Secondary armament includes a 7.62 mm twin NF1 machine gun, and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun can also be installed.
The undercarriage provides extreme mobility and precise aiming thanks to the suspension and transmission, which allows the car to spin in place and reverse quickly. The armored vehicle is maneuverable and fast, capable of accelerating up to 85 km per hour on the highway and off-road at a speed of 40 km per hour. Since 1985, a Baudouin 6F11 SRX diesel engine has been used, designed for 280 hp. at 3000 rpm.
The machine has three modifications: the basic AMX-10 RC, with additional armor AMX-10 RC Surblindé and the third newest AMX-10 RCR revalorisé. In 2010, Paris upgraded 256 of these vehicles, installing additional SIT battlefield control system armor, new DIVT-16, 18 and 19 CASTOR thermal sights, as well as Galix smoke grenade launchers.
In addition, the car received improvements to the suspension, gearbox and tactical communication. The AMX-10RC is equipped with a nuclear/biological/chemical defense system and can conduct reconnaissance in a radioactive environment. It should be noted that the first version of the AMX-10 RC machine was amphibious, but the additional sealing of the armor left the machine only with the possibility of land movement.
Like any other wheeled vehicle, the AMX-10 RC is inferior in cross-country ability to the tracked chassis, and the wheels themselves remain vulnerable to debris. However, the armored car has the best mobility, and the operational range is 800 km. For comparison, Leclerc has a highway range of 550 km. The car’s armor protects it from 14.5 mm bullets, and the frontal armor withstands 23 mm shells.
AMX-10 RC is able to see the enemy at night and destroy it independently thanks to the pumped detection means. Fire from closed positions is supported, and high mobility will help you move quickly, which is important in conditions of a stretched front line.
AMX-10 RCR in action can be seen in the video:
Technical characteristics of the AMX-10 RC (in the latest modification):
| Characteristics | Value |
| Weight | from 17.2 to 22 tons |
| Length with a gun | 9.15 m |
| Body length | 6.24 m |
| Width | 2.78 m |
| Height | 2.56 m |
| Crew | 4 persons |
| Engine | Baudouin Diesel Model 6F11 SRX |
| Pendant | hydropneumatics |
| Operating range (highway) | 800 km |
| Speed (highway) | 85 km per hour |
| Speed (off-road) | 40 km per hour |
Value for the front
Of course, the AMX-10 RC is not capable of replacing any tank for attacking or breaking through enemy defenses. However, in a situation where you need to start a battle and then travel several hundred kilometers, the AMX-10 RC boasts high operational mobility. \
The vehicle’s suspension allows it to “crouch down” to successfully fire from ambushes, and the cross-country ability, although inferior to tracked tanks, still allows the AMX-10 RC to be used in difficult conditions. For example, the French army has experience using the AMX-10 RC in the mountainous terrain of the Alps.
Experts call the potential place of the AMX-10 RC in the army of Ukraine as an operational reserve for quick response to enemy actions. AMX-10 RC vehicles are suitable for a quick transfer of forces, in conditions of a stable front – for night “forays” to advanced positions, and in conditions of a defense breakthrough – for direct work as a reconnaissance vehicle.
France is decommissioning these machines, replacing them from 2021 with the latest EBRC Jaguars, so one can hope for a quick transfer of the AMX-10 RC and in sufficient numbers. However, for a successful offensive and counterattack, Ukraine still hopes for heavier weapons, including Leclerc, Abrams, and Leopard 2 tanks.
