The AMX-13 Light Tank: France’s reloaded fighting machine
In 1946, the design team of the Direction des Etudes et Fabrication d’Armament (DEFA) began working with the AMX design team to develop a light tank.
In the aftermath of WWII many of the Western European countries were in a disastrous state. They had suffered up to five long years under German Occupation, which had ruined the economies and industries of France, Belgium and Holland. The fighting and bombing to liberate these countries had not helped, but it was seen as essential to get these countries back to some sense of normality. It was the great General George C. Marshall who devised a method of providing financial assistance to these countries by creating a recovery plan which was named after him.
The Marshall Plan was enacted in 1948 with a budget of $13.3 billion U.S., (equivalent to around $133 billion today) which was to be awarded to countries as foreign aid to help rebuild industry and repair infrastructure. France received some $2.7 billion, some of which was used to get the country’s heavy industry back into production. France managed to repay this debt by 1962. One of the companies to benefit from this financial aid package was the Ateliers de Construction d’Issy-le-Moulineaux, AMX, a subsidiary of the Renault motor industry founded in 1936. Before the war the French Army had enjoyed the benefits of a successful tank production industry and in peacetime it was keen to rebuild a modern force from scratch.
In 1946, the design team of the Direction des Etudes et Fabrication d’Armament (DEFA), part of the French ministry for defense, began working closely with the AMX design team at the company’s premises at Satory, just outside Paris, to develop a light tank. One of the requirements for the new design was that it should be light enough to be transported by air to deploy with airborne troops to provide fire support.
The result would become known as the AMX-13. Although primarily a gun tank capable of being fitted to carry turret-mounted guns of varying calibers, the vehicle would prove sufficiently versatile to be configured to various roles, from bridge layer to vehicle recovery.
The first prototype was ready for trials and evaluation in 1948, just as the Marshall Plan was being formalized. This example had four road wheels and a trailing idler, a layout which did not prove satisfactory. A fifth road wheel was later fitted which did add to the weight but still produced a ground pressure of less than 11 lbs. per square inch. Further changes were made during the trials, including adding return rollers to support the tracks. The original 75mm Modele 1951 gun was replaced by the larger 90mm.
Series production commenced in 1952 at the Atelier de Construction Roanne (ARE) with the first deliveries being made the following year. Even at this early stage of production, outside interest was being shown in the design. For example, in 1952 Sweden trialed the vehicle, but there is no evidence to show that it was taken into service. Trials were conducted with various types of turrets mounting a range of weaponry from European states, which no doubt influenced later sales to Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and the Dutch Army, which still had 275 AMX-13s as recently as 2024. The AMX-13 is still in military service in several countries.
In 1964 production switched from ARE to Creusot-Loire. By the end of the AMX-13’s run 1987, 7,700 of all types had been produced, including those configured to roles other than as gun tanks. A total of 3,400 were exported to 26 countries such as Peru, Venezuela and Chile. The remaining 4,300 examples saw service with the French Army, being known at the “Char 13t Modéle 51”.
The tank gun version was served by a crew of only three — commander, gunner and driver — with the engine offset to the right of the hull, allowing it to be set to rear of the chassis. The “oscillating” turret was capable of a full 360-degree traverse and, depending on design, could accommodate main guns up to a caliber of 105mm. The oscillating turret dates back to 1915 and although considered for and event trialed on several designs of armored fighting vehicles, it was not taken to its practical conclusion until it was fitted on the AMX-13.
In operation, the turret is composed of two hinged parts with the gun fitted into the upper part and elevated. The turret completed a full 360-degree traverse in 12 seconds, and with a 90mm gun mounted could elevate to +12.5 degrees and depress to -5.5 degrees.
The turret was developed by a French state-owned weapons manufacturer that would later become known as the Groupement des Industries de l’Armee de Terre (GIAT). Three versions were developed: FL-10, FL-11 and FL-12. The first examples of the AMX-13 were fitted with the FL-10 turret mounting the Modele 50 75mm gun. They were equipped with two rotary drum loaders, one mounted either side of the gun’s breech, with each holding six ready-to-use rounds. This eliminated the need for a loader. A total of 37 rounds were carried along with 3,600 rounds for the co-axially mounted machine gun. This configuration was repeated on vehicles armed with the 90mm, but the number of rounds carried was reduced to 34 due to their larger size. Oscillating turrets were also fitted to the French EBR armored car around the same time, and later to the Austrian SK-105 “Kurassier” tank that appeared in 1971.
One of the earliest operational roles for the AMX-13 with the French Army was in 1956, when units from the 2nd Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment deployed vehicles around Port Fouad during the Suez Crisis. The AMX-13s were also used by French forces was during the Algerian War from 1954 to 1962, and by overseas operators during local conflicts such as the Six Day War in 1967, Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and the Guatemala Civil War from 1960 to 1996. Each of these overseas users had their examples of AMX-13 light tanks configured to their individual requirements in terms of weaponry, communications and ancillary features such as infra-red lights for night operations. It was not an amphibious vehicle, but the AMX-13 did benefit from having a deep wading capability.
In addition to the main guns in the oscillating turret with calibers between 75mm and 105mm, the AMX-13 design proved to be an ideal platform to accept a wide range of weaponry. The French Army operated examples with attachments mounted on either side of the gun barrel to carry four SS-11 anti-tank guided missiles. In addition to the usual range of variants developed for support roles such as bridge laying and vehicle recovery, specialist variants were created such as the AMX-13DCA (Défense Contre Avions) — a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The specially designed turret contained all the electronic fire control equipment for the pair of Hispano-Suiza HSS831A 30mm guns to provide air defense, either as point or mobile. The chassis also served as a platform to create self-propelled artillery such as the AMX-105A and the AMX Mk F3, which carried a 155mm howitzer.
turret by the crew for additional protection. Courtesy of John Norris
As the basic AMX-13s aged, they were withdrawn from service by the various armies and consigned to storage. Some were offered to museums to display as exhibits to show the evolution of armored vehicles. A few made their way into the hands of private owners, such as Barrimore “Baz” England-Davis, a military vehicle enthusiast living in Somerset, England. Some time ago, England-Davis and some like-minded friends established a re-enactment group called the “French Army Re-enactment Group” (FARG).
It was back in 2020 that England-Davis heard about an ex-demonstrator example of the AMX-13 that was available. During negotiations to buy it, some of the vehicle’s history was revealed, and it was indeed well-travelled. At one point it had lived in the Dominican Republic, which during the 1970s was known to have used around 20 AMX-13 light tanks. It was sent to Belgium, where it was used as a trials vehicle by the company of SABIEX. It later ended up in Indonesia, where it was used for 15 years by the military.
England-Davis describes driving his AMX-13 as “very noisy”. It’s loud outside watching it being driven and inside cannot be any less noisy. The driver’s position is very cramped and can get very warm. England-Davis says he taught himself how to drive his tank, noting “you have to do nine things at once”.
The example held by the FARG and seen in the accompanying photographs is an AMX-13 105 Modele 58. It was upgraded in the 1990s and today is fitted with an automatic gearbox and a Detroit V-6 diesel engine: 6V-53T 350/400hp. This allows it to reach speeds of up to 40 mph on cross-country driving and 60 mph on road driving. England-Davis and his friends in the FARG are experienced military vehicle enthusiasts and undertake the maintenance and servicing of the vehicle to keep it in good running order. They often take part in events around the UK, including the annual Tankfest and other smaller events.
One thing is certain, wherever their impressive AMX-13 turns up it makes an impression.
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