AMX 13 Tank

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The AMX-13, a French light tank produced from 1953 to 1985, served in the French Army as Char 13t-75 Modele 51 and was exported to over 25 countries. Weighing initially 13 tonnes, it featured a robust chassis and an oscillating turret built by GIAT Industries (now Nexter), with revolver-type magazines. Over a hundred variants were created, including self-propelled guns, anti-aircraft systems, APCs, and ATGM versions. Total production reached approximately 7,700 units, of which about 3,400 were exported. Designed in 1946 by Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) for a requirement of an air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers, the first prototype ran in 1948. The compact chassis had torsion bar suspension with five road wheels and two return rollers, while the engine ran along the right side with the driver on the left. Distinctively, it featured a two-part oscillating turret with a fixed gun and an elevating upper turret. The turret housed the commander and gunner. The original 75mm gun, allegedly inspired by the German 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun but firing different ammunition from a shorter barrel, was fed through an automatic loading system with two six-round magazines in the turret's bustle. However, this limited the crew to engaging targets quickly before retreating to reload shells externally. Production began at ARE in 1952, transitioned to Creusot-Loire in 1964, and ceased with the Model 1987. Upgrades and after-sales support are still provided by GIAT Industries (now Nexter). The French Army phased out the AMX-13 tank in the 1980s, replaced by vehicles like the ERC 90 Sagaie and AMX 10 RC.