French AMX-30 Main Battle Tank

French AMX-30 Main Battle Tank MBT.

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

  • Ford, Roger: Tanks from 1916 until today
  • Foss, Christopher F.: Jane’s Tank & Combat Vehicle Recognition Guide.
  • Foss, Chris: The Encyclopedia of Tanks and AFVs.
  • Miller, David: The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World.

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 manœuvres and for training purposes. In addition to the more than 2000 AMX-30 main battle tanks originally produced, more than 1000 chassis were used for self-propelled guns and other variants.

Cold War Miniatures