French AMX-30 Main Battle Tank

From 1956 to 1963 France, Germany, and Italy cooperated in the design of a European medium tank. Several prototypes were submitted for revue, but in 1963 France quit the design consortium to focus on the development of its own AMX-30 main battle tank at their AMX Ateliers de construction d’Issy-les-Moulineaux. The first vehicles were delivered in 1966, and the AMX-30 series with 105 mm main gun was officially put into service in 1967 to replace the obsolete M-47 Patton tank in French service. Between 1974 and 1984 AMX-30 tanks were produced in Spain under licence. French production of the AMX-30 tank ceased in 1993. The first improved and up-armoured AMX-30 B2 were delivered in 1982. Many of these vehicles were later fitted with reactive armour and designated AMX-30 BrenUS.

Available Scale Model Kits

AMX-30, 1:35 Heller
AMX-30, 1:72 Heller
AMX-30, 1:87 ROCO 201
AMX-30, 1:87 WTD 7
AMX-30 B2, 1:72 Azimut 72007

Technical Specifications

AMX-30 char d’assaut
Type: Main Battle Tank
Motor: Hispano-Suiza HS-110 with 507 kW (680 hp)
Speed: 65 km/h on roads
Fuel Capacity: 460 l
Range: 500 km
Length: 6590 mm
Width: 3100 mm
Height: 2290 mm
Weight: 36000 kg
Armament: 105 mm GIAT CN-105 F1 tank gun, coaxial 12.7 mm machine gun, replaced by a 20 mm automatic cannon, 7.62 mm AA machine gun
Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner, Loader
Production: 1966–1993 (more than 2.000 vehicles)

Derivatives

AMX-30 D char de dépannage - recovery vehicle
AMX-30 AUF1 canon automoteur de 155 mm - SPG
AMX-30 EBG Engin blindé de génie - engineer vehicle
AMX-30 ROLAND missiles anti-aérienne - AA vehicle
AMX-30 PLUTON lanceur du Missile Pluton - missile carrier
AMX-30 B2 amélioration - improved and up-armoured
AMX 30 DT char de déminage - mine sweeper
AMX 30 BrenUS améliorée du blindage réactif - reactive armour
AMX 30 FORAD "char ennemi" - Opposing Force "OPFOR" vehicle for training
AMX 32 version pour l’exportation - up-gunned export version with 120 mm gun

Bibliography

Tanks from 1916 until today, Brown Packaging Books
Jane’s Tank & Combat Vehicle Recognition Guide. Christopher F. Foss
The Encyclopedia of Tanks and AFVs. C. F. Foss, Chris Foss, Will Fowler
The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World. David Miller

Deployment

Bosnia Herzegovina - 36 AMX-30
Chile – 29 AMX-30
Croatia – 42 AMX-30
Cyprus – 61 AMX-30 and 52 AMX-30 B2
France – 200 AMX-30 B2
- 4e Régiment de Dragons (44 AMX-30 B2), Gulf War 1991
Greece – 168 AMX-30 B2
Iraq – 98 AMX-30
Israel
Kuwait – 18 AMX-30
Nigeria – 16 AMX-30
Qatar – 25 AMX-30 S
- Gulf War 1991
Saudi Arabia – 572 AMX-30 S and AMX-30 SA
- Gulf War 1991
Spain – 327 AMX-30
United Arab Emirates – 68 AMX-30
Venezuela – 85 AMX-30 V (1989)

The AMX-30 main battle tank in French service has been replaced by the AMX-56 Leclerc which entered service in 1990. Most of formerly French AMX-30 tanks have since been sold to other countries, although some vehicles are still being used in maneuvres and for training purposes. In addition to the more than 2,000 AMX-30 main battle tanks originally produced, more than 1,000 chassis were used for self-propelled guns and other variants.

Frequently Asked Questions

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