View source for AMX-13

{{short description|French light tank}}
{{Infobox weapon|name=AMX-13
|image=Amx-13 tankfest 2023.JPG
|image_size=300
|caption=AMX-13/105 at Tankfest 2023
|origin= France
|type=[[Light tank]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_UK=yes
|wars=[[Suez Crisis]] <br /> [[Algerian War]] <br /> [[Sand War]] <br /> [[Vietnam War]] <br /> [[Cambodian Civil War]] <br /> [[Dominican Civil War]] <br /> [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] <br /> [[30 September Movement]] <br /> [[Six-Day War]] <br /> [[Western Sahara War]] <br /> [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor]] <br /> [[Lebanese Civil War]] <br /> [[Salvadoran Civil War]] <br /> [[Guatemalan Civil War]] <br /> [[Insurgency in Aceh]]
|designer=Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
|design_date=1946
|manufacturer=Atelier de Construction Roanne
|production_date=1952–1987
|number=7,700 (Total)<br/>3,400 (Exported)<br/>4,300 (Used in French military)
|length={{convert|6.36|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with gun<br />{{convert|4.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}} hull
|width={{convert|2.51|m|abbr=on}}
|height={{convert|2.35|m|abbr=on}}
|weight={{convert|13.7|t|lb|abbr=on}} empty<br/>{{convert|14.5|t|lb|abbr=on}} combat
|suspension=[[Torsion bar suspension]]
|speed={{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on}}
|vehicle_range={{convert|400|km|abbr=on}}
|primary_armament=AMX-13/75: 75 mm [[SA 50]] L/61<br>AMX-13/90: 90 mm [[CN-90-F3]] L/52<br>AMX-13/105: 105 mm [[CN-105-57]] L/44 with 32 Rounds
|secondary_armament=1× 7.5 mm (or 7.62 mm) coaxial machine gun with 3,600 Rounds<br />1× 7.62 mm AA machine gun (optional)<br />2× 2 smoke grenade dischargers
|armour={{convert|10|-|40|mm|abbr=on}}
|engine=SOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder water-cooled petrol engine
|crew=3 (Commander, gunner and driver)
|engine_power={{convert|250|hp|abbr=on|lk=in}}
|pw_ratio=17 hp/tonne
}}

The '''AMX-13''' is a French [[light tank]] produced from 1952 to 1987. It served with the French Army, as the '''Char 13t-75 Modèle 51''', and was exported to more than 26 other nations. Named after its initial weight of 13 tonnes, and featuring a tough and reliable chassis,<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Complete Guide to Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles'', {{ISBN|978-1-84681-110-4}} {{page needed|date=February 2014}}</ref> it was fitted with an [[oscillating turret]] built by GIAT Industries (now [[Nexter]]) with revolver-type magazines, which were also used on the Austrian [[SK-105 Kürassier]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Including prototypes and export versions, over a hundred variants exist, including [[self-propelled gun]]s, [[anti-aircraft]] systems, [[Armoured personnel carrier|APC]]s, and [[ATGM]] versions.

==Development==
The tank was designed at the [[Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux|Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux]] (AMX) in 1946 to meet a requirement for an air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers. The prototype ran from 1948. The compact [[chassis]] had [[torsion bar suspension]] with five road wheels and two return rollers; the engine runs the length of the tank on the right side, with the driver on the left. It features an uncommon two-part FL-10 [[oscillating turret]], where the gun is fixed to the turret and the entire upper turret changes elevation. The turret is set to the rear of the vehicle and holds the commander and gunner.

[[File:AMX-13 drum magazine.png|thumb|left|upright|[[Cylinder (firearms)|Revolver style]] [[Drum magazine|magazine drums]] in the [[bustle rack]] of the AMX-13 prototype, at the time known as the ''AMX-12t'', during trials at [[Aberdeen Proving Ground]], 19 December 1950]]
The original 75&nbsp;mm [[SA 50]] gun was loaded by an automatic loading system fed by two six-round magazines located in on either side of the automatic loader in the turret's bustle. The 12 rounds available in the drum magazines meant that the crew could engage targets quickly; however, once those rounds were expended, the vehicle commander and gunner could either manually refill them from within the turret or retreat to cover and reload shells from outside the vehicle through hatches above.

[[File:Swedish Tank Trials French AMX-13 1952.jpg|thumb|Early variant of the AMX-13 trialled in Sweden, 1952]]
Production began at ARE (Atelier de Construction Roanne) in 1952, with the first tanks delivered the following year. In 1964, production was transferred to [[Creusot-Loire]] at Chalon-sur-Saône, as ARE switched to the production of the [[AMX-30]] [[main battle tank|MBT]], and the numbers produced declined significantly.

After 1966, AMX-13s in French service were up-gunned with a 90&nbsp;mm [[CN-90-F3]] L/52 medium pressure gun firing more effective [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) munitions; this variant was designated AMX-13/90.<ref name="trade">{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=2013-06-20 |archive-date=2010-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The F3 was similar to the DEFA D921/F1 low-pressure gun developed for the [[Panhard AML|Panhard AML-90]], and even utilized the same ammunition, though it possessed a significantly higher muzzle velocity.<ref name="Ogorkiewicz3">{{cite book | last = Ogorkiewicz| first = Richard|title = Technology of tanks, Volume 1| year = 1991|edition= 1991|pages= 70–71 | publisher = Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd| isbn= 978-0-7106-0595-5}}</ref> By the late 1960s, an export model of the AMX-13 was also available with an even larger 105&nbsp;mm [[CN-105-57|CN-105 L/57]] gun in a FL-12 turret.<ref name="trade"/>

Although there were many variants on the turret, the basic chassis was almost unchanged until 1985, when changes including a new [[diesel engine]], fully [[automatic transmission]] and new [[hydropneumatic suspension]] were introduced. Production halted with the AMX-13 Model 1987. After-sales support and upgrades are still{{When|date=July 2022}} offered through GIAT Industries (now Nexter).

The AMX-13 tank was phased out of service with the French Army in the 1980s. Current French armoured vehicles with a similar role are the [[ERC 90 Sagaie]] and the [[AMX 10 RC]].

===Additional characteristics===
[[File:AMX-13 150808 06.jpg|thumb|Close view of oscillating turret]]

*Ground clearance: {{convert|370|mm|abbr=on}}
*Fording: {{convert|600|mm|abbr=on}}
*Vertical obstacle {{convert|650|mm|abbr=on}}
*Trench: {{convert|1.6|m|abbr=on}}
*Gradient 60%
*Side slope: 60%
*NBC system: None
*Night vision: Optional

== Service history ==
=== France ===
During the Suez Crisis of 1956, the French Army used two sections of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment's AMX-13 tanks in Port Fouad. The AMX-13s also saw limited action in the Algerian War, largely due to the rough terrain in most of Algeria and much of the fighting with the anti-colonial guerillas being in the difficult terrain of the countryside.<ref>{{cite web|title=La cavalerie pendant la guerre d'Algérie - Le 1er RHP|url=http://www.fncv.com/biblio/conflits/algerie/cavalerie-1er-rhp/index.html|author=Jean Charles Auffret|website=FNCV|language=fr|access-date=11 May 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014100/http://www.fncv.com/biblio/conflits/algerie/cavalerie-1er-rhp/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> France also fielded a number of AMX-13s fitted with US [[M24 Chaffee|Chaffee]] light tank turrets in the fighting in Algeria.

=== Argentina ===
The Argentinian Army fielded locally-built versions of both the AMX-13-105 and the [[AMX-VCI]] armoured personnel carrier.

Argentine AMX-13s were not deployed during the [[Falklands War]]. Senior commanders considered that off-road conditions in the [[Falkland Islands]]  were too [[bog]]gy for all of the armoured vehicles available at the time. The newly developed [[Tanque Argentino Mediano]] (TAM) was not yet available. For on-road operations in the islands, Argentina's [[Panhard AML]]-90 wheeled fighting vehicles were considered more suitable than the AMX-13. The higher speed and other aspects of the Panhard's performance also represented acceptable trade-offs for its smaller (90&nbsp;mm) main gun, relative to the AMX-13 (105&nbsp;mm).

{{expand section|date=April 2023}}

=== Dominican Republic ===
AMX-13s saw service among both the loyalists and the rebels during the [[Dominican Civil War]] of 1965. Two AMX-13s used by the rebel forces were destroyed by [[M50 Ontos]] of the [[United States Marine Corps]] during the subsequent [[Dominican Civil War#U.S. intervention|American intervention]] in the Dominican Republic.

=== Israel ===
[[File:AMX-13 at Latrun4.JPG|thumb|Decommissioned Israeli AMX-13 on display at Yad La-Shiryon Tank Museum in [[Latrun]]]]
The AMX-13 was Israel's first modern tank and was purchased at a time when France was the only country willing to openly sell arms to Israel. By 1956, Israel had ordered 180 AMX-13 light tanks as part of an agreement to reinforce Israel's military and to maintain the balance in Israel's favour after the [[Egyptian–Czechoslovak arms deal]]. Besides buying whole AMX-13s, Israel also purchased a quantity of SA 50 75mm tank guns for upgunning some of the American [[M4 Sherman]] tanks. Due to the shortage of tanks, the IDF used them as main battle tanks and employed them to form a tank battalion in the 7th Armored Brigade. IDF reconnaissance units did not use AMX-13s.

By 1967, Israel had less than 100 AMX-13s and formed three AMX-13 battalions, all of which fought actively on all fronts during the [[Six-Day War]]. The first battalion moved south in the West Bank area through Taluzi and Tubas and occupied Nablus (against Jordan). The second, attacking Egypt, captured the strongpoints protecting the Gaza Strip and the coastal road in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. The third, finally, assaulted the Golan Heights in southwestern Syria.

The IDF realised that the AMX-13 tank was too lightly armoured and had a weak main gun. Losses were heavy at places like Rafah Junction and Jiradi Pass during the Six-Day War with many destroyed by heavier Arab-fielded Soviet armour, such as T-55 MBTs and [[IS-3 (tank)]] heavy tanks. Subsequently, Israel gradually phased out all of its AMX-13s following the Six-Day War, with most ending up being sold to the then newly established [[Singapore Army]] between 1968 and 1969.

===India===
[[File:Pakistani soldiers with captured Indian AMX-13.jpg|thumb|Indian AMX-13]]
During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, India deployed AMX-13 Tanks to oppose the initial armour onslaught of [[Operation Grand Slam]] in the Chhamb-Jaurian area and also in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]].

During the 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistani War]] in Chhamb-[[Jaurian]] in Jammu & Kashmir, the [[20th Lancers (India)|20 Lancers]], equipped with AMX-13 tanks was under command of the [[10th Infantry Division (India)|10th Infantry Division]]. Pakistan's surprise attack on 1 September, [[Operation Grand Slam]], fell on [[191 Infantry Brigade (India)|191 Infantry Brigade]] which was supported by "C" Squadron of the regiment, under Maj Bhaskar Roy. The Pakistani armoured attack comprised two regiments, one of [[M48 Patton]] medium tanks and one of [[M36 tank destroyer|M36B2]] tank destroyers.<ref name="Jogindar1993">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jogindar|title=Behind the Scene: An Analysis of India's Military Operations, 1947-1971|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=toheLRVgjLsC&pg=PA117|year=1993|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-1-897829-20-2|page=117}}</ref> The attack began at 0805 hours and was strongly resisted. During the initial phases of the attack, Roy destroyed six Pattons, and three recoilless guns and captured a jeep. A second attack was launched by Pakistani armour at 1100 hours and contested by the AMX-13s of 20 Lancers, which despite being outgunned and outnumbered, destroyed a total 13 tanks that day and prevented the encirclement of 191 Infantry Brigade.<ref name="Chakravorty1995"/> The regiment later fought in the defence of Jaurian under 41 Infantry Brigade.<ref name="Bajwa2008">{{cite book|last=Bajwa|first=Kuldip Singh|title=India's National Security: Military Challenges and Responses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hYLzW9BoJtAC&pg=PA235|year=2008|publisher=Har-Anand Publications|isbn=978-81-241-1389-9|pages=225–235}}</ref> For the defence of Chhamb-Jaurian, the regiment was awarded a theatre honour and Maj Bhaskar Roy was awarded [[Maha Vir Chakra]] for his leadership in this action.<ref name="Chakravorty1995">{{cite book|last=Chakravorty|first=B.|title=Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzizVBSb4YsC&pg=PA114|year=1995|publisher=Allied Publishers|isbn=978-81-7023-516-3|page=114}}</ref>

In the Battle of Assal Uttar, on 8–10 September 1965 in Asal Uttar ([[Khem Karan]], [[Punjab, India]]), a regiment of AMX-13s — 8th Light Cavalry — along with a regiment each of Centurions and M4 Shermans fought off and defeated a Pakistani armoured offensive comprising five regiments of M48 Patton tanks and one regiment of [[M24 Chaffee]] tanks.<ref name="Chapt 5 official history">{{cite web|last=History|first=Official|title=All out war pg 39|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|work=Official History of 1965 war|publisher=Times of India|access-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609072642/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1965War/PDF/1965Chapter06.pdf|archive-date=9 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Indonesia ===
[[File:Indonesian Army AMX-13s of the Yonkav 6.jpg|thumb|Indonesian AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (SM1) in the lead of another two AMX-13 tanks and one AMX-VTT APC]]

The [[Indonesian Army]] received 175 AMX-13/75, 32 [[AMX-VCI]] (including 4 command variants and six  ARV variants), and 10 AMX-13 PDP from France in 1960, which were delivered in 1960–1962. Indonesia then bought around 100 to 180 ex-Royal Netherlands Army AMX-VCI in 1976, which were modernized and delivered in 1977–1978. The last batch of AMX-13 family were bought in 1980–1981, when the Army acquired 130 second-hand but modernized AMX-13/105 from the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Peace Research Institute Arms Trade Register|website=armstrade.sipri.org}}</ref>

The AMX-13s first saw combat against the [[30 September Movement]] in 1965, when they were deployed to secure Suharto's control of [[Jakarta]] against an alleged coup by other generals'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sainsindonesia.co.id/index.php/en/rubrik/opini/1249-panser-kavaleri-selau-hadir-saat-genting|title=Panser Kavaleri: Selalu Hadir di Saat Genting|website=sainsindonesia.co.id|date=27 November 2014|access-date=30 May 2021|language=id}}</ref>

AMX-13/75 tanks and the VCI variants participated in the 1975 [[Indonesian invasion of East Timor]] (known in Indonesia as ''Operasi Seroja'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indomiliter.com/amx-13-tank-tempur-utama-tni-ad/|title=AMX-13 : Tank Tempur Utama TNI-AD|website=indomiliter.com|date=10 August 2009|access-date=30 May 2021|language=id}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indomiliter.com/amx-13-vci-kavaleri-tni-ad-pernah-dipasangi-kubah-tertutup-dengan-senapan-mesin-sedang/|title=AMX-13 VCI Kavaleri TNI AD Pernah Dipasangi Kubah 'Tertutup' Dengan Senapan Mesin Sedang|website=indomiliter.com|date=23 November 2020|access-date=30 May 2021|language=id}}</ref>

Indonesian AMX-13s also participated in the [[2003–2004 Indonesian offensive in Aceh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.okezone.com/read/2017/08/18/340/1758576/tank-saksi-bisu-operasi-militer-di-aceh-ikuti-pawai-kemerdekaan|title=Tank Saksi Bisu Operasi Militer di Aceh Ikuti Pawai Kemerdekaan|website=news.okezone.com|date=18 August 2017|access-date=30 May 2021|language=id}}</ref>

The AMX-13 gained momentary notoriety in Indonesian social media in September 2020, after an AMX-13 driver lost control when making a turn and ran over a street food vendor cart and four motorcycles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2020/09/10/18402261/detik-detik-tank-tabrak-gerobak-dan-4-motor-tni-siap-ganti-rugi|title=Detik-detik Tank Tabrak Gerobak dan 4 Motor, TNI Siap Ganti Rugi|website=kompas.com|date=10 September 2020|access-date=2 June 2022|language=id}}</ref> The accident happened on 10 September 2020 at around 11:00 [[UTC+07:00|WIB]], at an intersection in Cipatat District, [[West Bandung Regency]], during a 4th Cavalry Battalion company-level combat readiness exercise. No one was injured and the owners of the cart and vehicles were given compensation totalling 15.4 million rupiah.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voi.id/berita/13703/penyebar-video-insiden-tank-tabrak-gerobak-tak-diburu-malah-sudah-ganti-rugi|title=Penyebar Video Insiden Tank Tabrak Gerobak Tak Diburu, Malah Sudah Ganti Rugi|website=voi.id|date=11 September 2020|access-date=2 June 2022|language=id}}</ref>

=== Lebanon ===
The [[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] was an important user of the AMX-13 in the [[Middle East]], purchasing 42 AMX-13/75s and 22 AMX-13/105s from France in 1972.<ref name="Robinson 2018 p. 185">Robinson, Lau and Gibeau, ''Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives'' (2018), p. 185.</ref> During the [[Lebanese Civil War]], the Lebanese AMX-13s saw extensive service in the hands of the regular Lebanese Army and various armed groups in and outside [[Beirut]] between 1975 and 1990, following the collapse of the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] (LAF) structure in January 1976, and later again in February 1984 in the wake of the [[Mountain War (Lebanon)|Mountain War]]. During this period, most of the regular Army's AMX-13s fell into the hands of the competing Christian-rightist [[Lebanese Front]] and Muslim-leftist [[Lebanese National Movement]] (LNM) militias or were taken way by dissident rebellious Lebanese Army factions. France later delivered an additional 13 AMX-13/90s to the regular Lebanese Army between 1978–1981 and again in 1984.<ref>Kassis, ''Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2012), pp. 15; 21–22.</ref><ref>Robinson, Lau and Gibeau, ''Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives'' (2018), p. 185, note 49.</ref> Captured AMX-13s were employed by the [[Lebanese Arab Army]] (LAA),{{sfnp|Kassis|2012|page=49}} [[Army of Free Lebanon]] (AFL),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scale35.blogspot.com/2009/05/amx-13-tell-el-zaatar.html|title=AMX-13 light tank of the Army of Free Lebanon at the siege of Tel al-Zaatar, East Beirut, July 1976|date=May 29, 2009}}</ref> [[Kataeb Regulatory Forces]] (KRF), [[Tigers Militia]], [[Lebanese Forces (militia)|Lebanese Forces]] (LF), [[South Lebanon Army]] (SLA), [[Lebanese Resistance Regiments|Amal Movement]], and the [[People's Liberation Army (Lebanon)|People's Liberation Army]] (PLA).<ref>Kassis, ''30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2003), p. 59.</ref> Nearly all AMX-13s eventually were returned by the demobilized militias to the Lebanese Army between 1990 and 1993. Currently, none of the Lebanese AMX-13 light tanks is believed to remain operational.<ref name="Robinson 2018 p. 185"/>

In July 2018, six of these withdrawn AMX-13 and various other former Lebanese Army military vehicles were dumped in the sea off the coast of [[Sidon]] in southern Lebanon and used as part of an [[artificial reef]].

=== Morocco ===
Morocco used some AMX-13s in the [[Sand War]] of 1963. Later on, they were engaged in the [[Western Sahara conflict]]. They were supplemented by the similar Austrian [[SK-105 Kürassier]] light tank during that war.

==Prototypes==

* '''Char AMX-13 (2A)''': [[Prototype]] with 4 roadwheels and trailing idler
* '''Char AMX-13 (2B)''': Prototype with 5 roadwheels and raised idler
* '''Char AMX-13 (2C)''': Prototype with FL-10 turret and two support rollers
* '''Char AMX-13 (2D)''': Prototype with 4 support rollers
* '''Char AMX-13 (2E)''': Prototype with 3 support rollers and 90&nbsp;mm gun
* '''Char AMX-13 (2F)''': Prototype with 2 support rollers and, later, a thermal sleeve

=== Other prototypes ===

* '''AMX-13 avec tourelle''': A14 Fitted with a German HS-30 turret
* '''AMX-13/105''': Fitted with a 105&nbsp;mm howitzer barrel
* '''AMX-13/75 (AMX-13e)''': Experimental variant with a short-barreled [[75 SA 49|SA 49]] 75&nbsp;mm in FL-11 oscillating turret
* '''Char AMX-13 avec Canon 57 L/100''': Prototype with a special gun
* '''AMX-13 Twin 20&nbsp;mm in a welded turret without a bustle'''
* '''Char 48FCM''': AKA Char 12T FCM, DCA de Quatre Canons de 20&nbsp;mm—4 x 20&nbsp;mm cannon in an FL-4 turret
* '''DCA de 40&nbsp;mm''': AKA Char 13T DCA a 40&nbsp;mm [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors]] L/70 gun in a large faceted turret (DCA = Défense Contre Avions)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/France/AMX-13-DCA.php|title=AMX-13 DCA SPAAG (1956)|website=www.tanks-encyclopedia.com}}</ref>
* '''AMX-13 GTI''': Improved suspension by Krauss-Maffei
* '''AMX-13 THS''': Prototype fitted with hydrostatic transmission
* '''AMX-13''': Fitted with Rapace 14 MBRL
* '''AMX-13 HOT''': Fitted with [[Euromissile HOT|HOT]] ATGM launchers

== Production variants ==
[[File:Amx13 ss11 010.jpg|thumb|[[SS.11]] anti-tank missile-launcher version of the AMX-13]]
[[File:AMX-13 DCA img 2328.jpg|thumb|upright|AMX-13 DCA AA version]]
[[File:Amx13 dca.jpg|thumb|Modified AMX VCI (APC version of the AMX-13) with the American M55 turret fixed with [[M45 Quadmount]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft quad guns]]]]
*'''AMX-Chaffee:''' Some initial vehicles were fitted with the turret of the [[M24 Chaffee]]
*'''AMX-13 [DTT]:''' Initial vehicles with the turret of the M24 Chaffee converted into a driver training tank (DTT). Gun removed.
*'''AMX-13/75 Modèle 51:''' High-velocity [[SA 50]] 75&nbsp;mm Gun in FL-10 turret, with four top rollers and revised stowage
*'''AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 FL11:''' Low-recoil [[SA 49]] 75&nbsp;mm gun in FL-11 turret as installed in [[Panhard EBR]] armoured car, with two top rollers
*'''AMX-13 T75 (Char Lance SS-11):''' Fitted with SS.11 ATGM launchers
*'''AMX-13 T75 avec TCA:''' Fitted with an electronic [[guidance system]] for the missiles (TCA stands for "télécommande automatique")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/jhtml/jframe.html#https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/images/ss-11-tca-image1.jpg%7C%7C%7CSS-11+TCA+Wire+Guided+Anti-Tank+Missile|title=SS11 TCA|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>
*'''AMX-13/90 C90:''' FL-10 turret refitted with the [[SA 50#Second life|CN 90 F3]] 90&nbsp;mm gun
*'''AMX-13/90 LRF:''' Fitted with a [[laser rangefinder]]
*'''AMX-13/105 Modèle 58:''' Fitted with a [[CN 105-57]] 105&nbsp;mm Gun in an FL-12 turret (used by the [[Argentine Army]] and the [[Netherlands]])
*'''AMX-13/105:''' Upgraded export version of the Modele 58 with a thermal sleeve and a revised hull front
*'''AMX-13 Model 1987'''

=== Late production version ===

*'''AMX-13 DCA 30:''' [[SPAAG]] version with a retractable radar and two [[Oerlikon KCB|30mm cannons]] fitted; 60 were produced beginning in 1969. (DCA = Défense Contre Avions)<ref>{{cite book|last=Hogg|first=Ian|title=Twentieth-Century Artillery|year=2000|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|isbn=978-0-7607-1994-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760719947/page/250 250]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780760719947}}</ref>
*'''AMX-13 [Training Tank]:''' AMX-13 with the [[gun turret|turret]] removed; used for driver training
*'''AMX-13 CD (Char de Depannage) Modèle 55 (AMX-D):''' Recovery version
*'''AMX-13 PDP (Poseur De Pont) Modèle 57:''' Scissors-type bridgelayer

==== Modernisation packages ====

*'''Cockerill 90&nbsp;mm Regunning Packaging''': 90&nbsp;mm up gunning package
* Giat Industries upgrade with a Baudouin 6F 11 SRY diesel engine and an upgraded turret
* Giat Industries Add-on Armour package installed on turret front/sides and glacis plate
*'''NIMDA Upgrade Package''': Israeli retrofit package
* INDRA Amazon Fire Control System upgrade with thermal imaging and a laser rangefinder

=== International ===
[[File:AMX-13 Yonkav 4 Kodam III Siliwangi TNI-AD 4.jpg|thumb|The Indonesian Army's AMX-13/105 Modèle 58 (SM1) Note the hydropneumatic suspension and also the modified hull and turret stowage bins as part of SM1 upgrade]]
[[File:AMX-13 105 Retrofit.jpg|thumb|The Indonesian Army's AMX-13/105 Retrofit]]
; Indonesia
*'''AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (SM1)''' some were upgraded in 1995 with [[Detroit Diesel]] DDA GM6V-53T, [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] 5WG-180 Automatic Transmission, and [[Hydropneumatic suspension|hydropneumatic]] "Dunlopstrut" Suspension. Based on Singapore SM1 upgrade packages but without the upgraded gunner sight.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Robinson |first=M. P. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1061275239 |title=The AMX 13 Light Tank : Rare photographs from wartime archives |date=2017 |others=Peter Lau, Guy Gibeau |isbn=978-1-5267-0168-8 |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire |oclc=1061275239}}</ref>
*'''AMX-13/105 Modèle 58 (SM1)''' some were upgraded in 1995 with [[Detroit Diesel]] DDA GM6V-53T, [[ZF Friedrichshafen|ZF]] 5WG-180 Automatic Transmission, and [[Hydropneumatic suspension|hydropneumatic]] "Dunlopstrut" Suspension. Based on Singapore SM1 upgrade packages but without the upgraded gunner sight.<ref name=":0" />
*'''AMX-13/105 Retrofit''' major modernization and upgrade program done by local defense firm [[Pindad|PT. PINDAD]] featuring reworked front glacis to accommodate new diesel engine & transmission, new torsion bar suspension, updated FCS (laser range finder, thermal imager, day camera),<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2020 |title=Amazon Compact Fire Control System |url=https://www.indracompany.com/sites/default/files/indra_compact_fire_control_system_amazon_en_2020_0.pdf |website=indracompany.com}}</ref> new 105&nbsp;mm gun ([[CN 105-57#CN 105 G1|GIAT CN 105 G1]]) and turret ([[Steyr-Daimler-Puch|Steyr]] JT-1 Oscillating turret) from [[SK-105 Kürassier|SK-105 ''Kürassier'']].<ref name=":0" />

;Netherlands

* '''AMX-13/FL-12:''' Dutch upgrade fitted with a [[searchlight]] and [[FN MAG]] machine guns
* '''AMX-13/FL-15:''' Dutch FL-12 version refitted with an FL-15 Turret

;Peru
*'''AMX-13PA5 ''Escorpion''''' Upgrade for a standard AMX-13/105 by the Peruvian designer Sergio Casanave, fitted with modern communications and four [[anti-tank missile|anti-tank guided missiles]].
*'''AMX-13PA8 ''Escorpion-2''''' Equipped with ''Dante'' fire-control system (a ballistic computer/laser range-finder/night vision/CCTV system). Four Ukrainian laser-guided Barrier R-2 anti-tank missiles and 7.62&nbsp;mm and 12.7&nbsp;mm machine guns were also proposed.
;Singapore
[[File:AMX-13 ALB.jpg|thumb|The [[Singapore Army]]'s AMX-13 Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge (AVLB)]][[File:AMX-13 (SM-1).jpg|thumb|The Singapore Army's AMX-13/SM-1 (Singapore Modernised 1)]]
*'''AMX-13S''' Rebuild of standard AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 (FL-10) by [[Singapore]] prior to SM-1 upgrade.
*'''AMX-13SM1''' (Singapore Modernised 1): Singaporean upgrade with modern communications, a new diesel engine replacing the original petrol engine, improved transmissions/suspensions system, laser range-finder and night vision elbow upgrade by [[ST Kinetics]].<ref name="Brochure">{{cite web|url=http://www.stengg.com/upload/177Fh8Uj09hDGRXgLLU.pdf |title=Official AM-13SM1 Brochure |access-date=2008-11-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007182516/http://www.stengg.com/upload/177Fh8Uj09hDGRXgLLU.pdf |archive-date=2009-10-07 }}</ref> The 75&nbsp;mm main gun remained unchanged.<ref name="Brochure" />
;
*
;Switzerland
*'''Leichter Panzer 51:''' Swiss Army version
;
*
; Venezuela
*'''AMX-13V''' CLI upgraded AMX-13/90 for [[Venezuela]]n Army
*'''AMX-13 [LAR-160]''' Venezuelan MLRS version armed with IMI [[LAR-160]]&nbsp;mm rockets
*'''AMX-13M51 ''Ráfaga''''' Venezuelan Army's AA version armed with two 40&nbsp;mm cannons mounted on an M-4E1 turret
;
*

=== APC ===
The AMX-13 was the basis of a family of [[Armoured personnel carrier|APCs]] beginning with the [[AMX-VCI|AMX-VTT]] and culminating with the [[AMX-VCI]]. The APC chassis was itself the basis of a number of variants.
* [[AMX-VCI|AMX-VTT]]
* [[AMX-VCI]]

===Self-propelled howitzer===
;105&nbsp;mm
[[File:Panzerhaubitze AMX 13.jpg|thumb|105mm howitzer variant 4 purchased for trials by the [[Swiss Army]].]]
*'''[[Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer|AMX Mk 61 (AMX-105A)]]''' Automoteur de 105 du AMX-13 en casemate: [[Obusier de 105 modèle 1950|105&nbsp;mm casemate SP]]
*'''AMX Mk 61 (Netherlands)''' Dutch Army version with 30 calibre howitzer and Browning commander's MG
*'''AMX Mk 62 (AMX-105B)''' prototype with 105&nbsp;mm howitzer in a turret
*'''AMX Mk 63 (AMX-105B, AMX Mk F2)''' prototype of Mk 62 with MG cupola fitted to turret

;155&nbsp;mm
*'''[[Mk F3 155 mm|AMX Mk F3]] (''obusier de 155&nbsp;mm sur affut automoteur'' AMX-13 T, AMX-155)''' 155&nbsp;mm SPH

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
{{about|operators of the AMX-13 light tank and its engineering and recovery variants|operators of the APC derivative|AMX-VCI#Operators|operators of the self-propelled howitzer derivative|Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer#User|section=yes|and|Mk F3 155mm#Operators}}

===AMX-13 (current)===
[[File:MINISTRO DE DEFENSA ACOMPAÑÓ AL PRESIDENTE OLLANTA HUMALA EN LA GRAN PARADA MILITAR Y DESFILE CÍVICO 20125461145.jpg|thumb|Peruvian AMX-13 minus the 75mm main gun after upgrades and converted to carrying [[9M133 Kornet|Kornet-E]] ATGM ([[NATO reporting name]] AT-14 Spriggan).]]
[[File:Dutch AMX-13 Light Tank of the 102 Verkenningsbataljon van de Cavalerie 1970.jpg|thumb|Dutch AMX-13/105 Modèle 58.]]
*{{flag|Ecuador}}: 108 AMX-13/105s purchased from France between 1971-77.<ref name="SIPRI2024">{{Cite web |last=SIPRI |title=SIPRI Arms Transfer Database |url=https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/TransferRegister |access-date=12 December 2024 |website=SIPRI}}</ref> 25 in service as of 2024.<ref name="IISS 2024">{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-05115-3 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2024}} |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies }}</ref>
*{{flag|Indonesia}}: 175 AMX-13/75 and 130 AMX-13/105 purchased from France and The Netherlands.<ref name=SIPRI2024/> 275 remain in service as of 2024.<ref name="IISS 2024"/> Scheduled for replacement by the [[Modern Medium Weight Tank|PT Pindad Harimau]] jointly developed by Indonesia and Turkey.
*{{flag|Peru}}: 108 tanks; 30 AMX-13/75s and 78 AMX-13/105s.<ref name=SIPRI2024/> 96 remain in service as of 2024.<ref name="IISS 2024"/>
*{{flag|Venezuela}}: 40 AMX-13/75s and 31 AMX-13/90s purchased from France.<ref name=SIPRI2024/> 31 in service.<ref name="IISS 2024"/>

===AMX-13 (former)===
[[File:Pakistani AMX-13 (1965 War).jpg|thumb|A Pakistani tank crew operating a captured Indian AMX-13]]
[[File:Swiss Army AMX-13 Light Tanks Parade Through Egerkingen, Oberbuchsiten 1981.jpg|thumb|right|Swiss 75 mm armed AMX-13 light tanks on parade in 1981]]

*{{flag|Algeria}}: 44 AMX-13/75s.<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: 58 AMX-13/105 and 2 AMX-13 PDP armoured bridge-layers<ref name="trade"/><ref>[https://bunkerargentino.blogspot.com/2020/01/baja-de-los-tanques-amx13-del-ejercito-argentino.html Baja de los ultimos tanques livianos AMX-13 del Ejército Argentino – Bunker Argentino, 2020-01-07] (accessed 2022-07-17)</ref>
*{{flag|Austria}}: 72 AMX-13/75s and 3 AMX-13 CD armoured recovery vehicles<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Belgium}}: 555 AMX-13s<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://nl.milpedia.org/wiki/AMX-13_VTT#De_Belgische_AMX-13_Model_56 |title=AMX-13 VTT – Milpedia |access-date=2017-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403052743/http://nl.milpedia.org/wiki/AMX-13_VTT#De_Belgische_AMX-13_Model_56 |archive-date=2011-04-03 |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
*{{flag|Cambodia}}: 20 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}: 5 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Djibouti}}: 60 AMX-13/90s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Dominican Republic}}: 15 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Egypt}}: 20 AMX-13/75s<ref name="Kolodziej">Kolodziej, Edward A. "Making and Marketing Arms: The French Experience and Its Implications for the International System." ''Princeton University Press'', 2014. {{ISBN|1-40085-877-1}}. pp 48–49.</ref>
*{{flag|France}}: 4,300 (of all types)<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Guatemala}}: 8 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|India}}: 164 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flaglist|Israel}}: 100 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Lebanon}}: 75 tanks; 42 AMX-13/75s, 13 AMX-13/90s and 22 AMX-13/105s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Morocco}}: 120 AMX-13/75s and 4 AMX-13 CD armoured recovery vehicles<ref name=SIPRI2024/>
*{{flag|Nepal}}: 56 AMX-13/75s; possibly purchased second-hand from Singapore<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Netherlands}}: 131 AMX-13/105s, as ''AMX-13 PRLTTK'' (''Pantserrups  Lichte Tank'') and 34 AMX-13 PRB (''Pantserrups Berging'') armoured recovery vehicles. All retired in 1983<ref>{{cite web|title=AMX voertuigen in de Koninklijke Landmacht, 1961–1983|url=http://collectie.legermuseum.nl/sites/strategion/contents/i004528/arma34%20amx%20voertuigen%20in%20de%20kl.pdf|author1 = Piet F. van den Heuvel|author2=Alfred Staarman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101062148/http://collectie.legermuseum.nl/sites/strategion/contents/i004528/arma34%20amx%20voertuigen%20in%20de%20kl.pdf|archive-date=1 November 2013}}</ref>
*{{flag|Pakistan}}: Operationalized some amounts of Captured Indian AMX-13/75s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/156708-rare-photos-of-1965-pakistan-india-war | title=Rare photos from 1965 Pakistan-India war }}</ref>
*{{flag|Singapore}}: 340 second-hand AMX-13/75s received (150 from Switzerland, 150 from India, 40 from Israel)<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|South Vietnam}}: 4 AMX-13 CD armoured recovery vehicles<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flaglist|Switzerland}}: 200 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Tunisia}}: 30 AMX-13/75s<ref name="trade"/>

==In popular culture==
The AMX-13 has made some major TV and film appearances, most notably in the 1984 French war film ''[[Les Morfalous]]'', where a Tunisian Army AMX-13/75 is mocked up as a German [[Panzer IV]] medium tank serving with the [[Afrika Korps]].

Some variants of the AMX-13 are present in the video game [[War Thunder]]:
* The AMX-13/75 (AMX-13e)
* The AMX-Chaffee
* The classic AMX 13
* Israeli AMX 13
* The AMX-13/90 C90

Some variants of the AMX-13 are also present in the video game [[World of Tanks]]:
* The AMX-13/75 (Modèle 51), AMX-13/90 (C90) and AMX-13/105 (modèle 58), as well as the initial AMX entry<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/ark:/40699/s005b6196d2d293a/5b926c391fbc6 | title=Char croiseur de 12 tonnes AMX, 1946}}</ref> to the air-portable 12 tons light tank program (as "AMX 12t"), as regular French light tanks
* The AMX-13/75 Modèle 51 FL11 and AMX-13 avec Canon 57 L/100, as premium French light tanks
* the [[Mk 61 105 mm self-propelled howitzer|AMX-105A]] and [[Mk F3 155 mm|Amx-13 F3]], as regular French self-propelled guns.

==See also==
===AMX series===
* [[AMX-VCI]] (derivative)
* [[Mk F3 155mm]] (derivative)
* [[AMX-10P]]
* [[AMX-10 RC]]
* [[AMX-50]]
* [[AMX-30]]
* [[AMX Leclerc]]
* [[GCT 155mm|AMX GCT]]

===Vehicles of comparable role, performance, and era===
* [[PT-76]]
* [[SK-105 Kürassier]]
* [[T69 (tank)|T69]]

==References==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{Cite book
|series=Armour in Profile
|id=Nº 12
|title=AMX.13
|first=Walter |last=Speilberger
|publisher=Profile Publications
|year=1967
}}
* {{cite book |last=Kassis |first=Samer |title=Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975–1981 |publisher=Trebia Publishing |location=Chyah |year=2012 |isbn=978-9953-0-2372-4}}
*{{Cite book
|title=The AMX-13 Light Tank
|volume=1: Chassis
|first=Peter |last=Lau
|publisher=Rock Publications
|year=2006
}}
*{{Cite book
|title=The AMX-13 Light Tank
|volume=2: Turret
|first=Peter |last=Lau
|publisher=Rock Publications
|year=2007
}}
{{refend}}
* David François, ''El Salvador – Volume 1: Crisis, Coup and Uprising 1970–1983'', Latin America@War Volume 32, Helion & Company Limited, Warwick UK 2023. {{ISBN|978-1-804514-02-3}}
* David François, ''El Salvador – Volume 2: Conflagration 1984–1992'', Latin America@War Volume 34, Helion & Company Limited, Warwick UK 2023. {{ISBN|978-1-804512-18-0}}
* Samer Kassis, ''30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon'', Beirut: Elite Group, 2003. {{ISBN|9953-0-0705-5}}
* M.P. Robinson, Peter Lau and Guy Gibeau, ''Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives'', Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley 2018. {{ISBN|978-1-52670-167-1}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/liste-chronologique/de-1945-a-1990?task=view&id=699 Chars-francais.net]

{{ColdWarFrenchAFVs}}
{{Cold War tanks|style=wide}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amx-13}}
[[Category:Light tanks of France]]
[[Category:Light tanks of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Tanks with autoloaders]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s]]
[[Category:Tanks of France]]