View source for Panhard M3

{{Infobox weapon
|name= Panhard M3
|image= File:PanhardM3old.JPG
|image_size= 300
|caption= M3 VTT "Bosbok" at Tempe School of Armour, [[Bloemfontein]]
|origin= [[France]]
|type= [[Armoured personnel carrier]]
|is_vehicle=yes
|service=
|used_by= See ''[[#List of operators|Operators]]''
|wars= [[Portuguese Colonial War]]<br />[[Angolan Civil War]]<br />[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br />[[Iran–Iraq War]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Internal conflict in Burma]]<br />[[Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017)]]<br />[[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|design_date= 1968<ref name="Jane2">{{cite book |last=Christopher F. Foss|title=Jane's World Armoured Fighting Vehicles|url=https://archive.org/details/janesworldarmour00foss_271|url-access=limited|year=1976|edition=1976|pages=[https://archive.org/details/janesworldarmour00foss_271/page/n210 209]–213 |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd|isbn= 0-354-01022-0}}</ref>
|manufacturer= [[Panhard]]<ref name="Recognition">{{cite book|last=Christopher F. Foss|title=Jane's Tanks and Combat Vehicles Recognition Guide|date=16 May 2000|edition=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/250 250–251]|publisher=Harper Collins Publishers|isbn=978-0-00-472452-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/janestankcombatv00foss/page/250}}</ref>
|unit_cost= [[United States dollar|USD]] $166,000 <small>(1986)</small><ref name="Haynes">{{Cite book|title=Panhard Armoured Car: AML 60, AML 90, Eland|first=Simon|last=Dunstan|publisher=[[Haynes Manuals]]|year=2019|isbn=978-1-78521-194-2|pages=33, 85–97}}</ref>

|production_date= 1971–1986<ref name="Haynes"/><ref name="O'Malley">{{cite book|last=O'Malley|first=T.J.|title=Fighting Vehicles: Armoured Personnel Carriers & Infantry Fighting Vehicles|url=https://archive.org/details/fightingvehicles00omal_785|url-access=limited|date=1996 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/fightingvehicles00omal_785/page/n5 74]–77|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Mechanicsburg|isbn=978-1-85367-211-8}}</ref>
|number= 1,180<ref name="Haynes"/>
|variants= See ''[[#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= {{convert|6.1|t|ST LT|lk=out}}<ref name="Compendium">{{cite book |last=Chant |first=Christopher |title=A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware |location=New York |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |year=1987 |isbn=0-7102-0720-4 |oclc=14965544 |pages=47–48}}</ref>
|length= {{convert|4.45|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Jane2" />
|width= {{convert|2.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Jane2" />
|height={{convert|2|m|ftin|abbr=on}} <small>''(hull)''</small><ref name="Jane2" />
|crew= 2 (commander, driver) + 10 passengers<ref name="Jane2" />
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|armour= 
|primary_armament= Various
|secondary_armament= 
|engine= Panhard Model 4HD four-cylinder air-cooled petrol<ref name="Jane2" />
|engine_power= 90 hp (67&nbsp;kW) at 4,700&nbsp;rpm<ref name="Jane2" />
|transmission=
|fuel_capacity= 165 litres<ref name="Compendium" />
|pw_ratio= 14.75&nbsp;hp/tonne (10.9&nbsp;kW/tonne)<ref name="Recognition"/>
|suspension= Independent; coil springs<ref name="O'Malley"/>
|clearance= 0.35m<ref name="Compendium" />
|vehicle_range= 600&nbsp;km<ref name="Compendium" />
|speed= 90&nbsp;km/h (56 mph)<ref name="Compendium" />
}}

The '''Panhard M3 VTT''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Véhicule de Transport de Troupes'') is an amphibious [[armoured personnel carrier]]. Developed as a private venture for the export market, the M3 was built with the same mechanical and chassis components as the [[Panhard AML]] range of light armoured cars.<ref name="AFV39">Ogorkiewicz, R. M. ''AFV Weapons Profile 039 Panhard Armoured Cars'' (Windsor, Berks:  Profile Publications).</ref> The two vehicle types share a 95% interchangeability of automotive parts.<ref name="Haynes"/> The M3 is an extremely versatile design which can be configured for a wide variety of auxiliary battlefield roles.<ref name="Recognition"/> The most popular variants of the base personnel carrier included an armoured ambulance, a mobile command post, and an internal security vehicle.<ref name="Recognition"/> It could also be fitted with a wide variety of turrets and armament, ranging from a single general-purpose machine gun to medium calibre autocannon.<ref name="AFV39"/> 

The M3's relatively light weight and the location of its air and exhaust outlets on the hull roof made it possible to design it as an amphibious vehicle.<ref name="AFV39"/> The M3 is propelled at a modest speed of 4 km/h through water by all four wheels.<ref name="Recognition"/> Although never adopted by the French Army, the M3 series was procured in vast quantities by foreign armies and security forces, especially in Africa and the Middle East.<ref name="Compendium" /> By the time production ceased in 1986, it was the most common wheeled APC produced by any Western nation in the world.<ref name="Bradford">{{cite book |last=Bradford|first=James|title=International Encyclopedia of Military History|year=2006|edition=2006|pages=97–98 |publisher=Routledge Books|isbn=978-0415936613}}</ref>

==Development history==
The Panhard M3 was the result of a 1959 design study requested by the Direction des Etudes et Fabrications d'Armement (DEFA) for an amphibious APC based on the same chassis as the Panhard AML.<ref name="Haynes"/> However, the design proposal was not adopted by the French Army.<ref name="Haynes"/> In 1967, design work on a single prototype began anyway, with the objective of export sales.<ref name="Haynes"/> While the amphibious APC programme was underway, the concept was simply known as the ''Véhicule Transport de Troupes'', or VTT.<ref name="AFV39"/> 

The first VTT prototype was completed in August 1969 and incorporated a very simple boxlike hull with vertical sides, a flat roofline, and a single 7.5mm AA-52 machine gun in a Creusot-Loire CAFL-38S turret.<ref name="Haynes"/> External access to the hull was through two large entry doors on each side and twin doors at the rear of the troop compartment.<ref name="Haynes"/> The AML chassis and drive train underwent some detail modifications but the overall design remained basically unchanged despite the addition of the new hull.<ref name="O'Malley"/> The same Panhard four-cylinder engine type developing 97hp was retained from the AML; however, due to the much heavier hull this left it somewhat underpowered for its weight class.<ref name="Haynes"/> The engine was also relocated from the rear of the chassis to the centre, directly behind the driver's position, to accommodate the rear troop compartment.<ref name="Recognition"/> The wheelbase of the prototype was also increased from 2.5 to 2.7m and the track from 1.6 to 2m.<ref name="AFV39"/>

One major criticism of the early VTT was that there was no provision for the embarked troops to fire their personal weapons from inside the vehicle, necessitating a minor redesign of the hull.<ref name="Haynes"/> The new hull had sloped rather than perfectly vertical sides angled for ballistic ricochet; the upper part of each hull side was also provided with three roof hatches.<ref name="Recognition"/> The hatch covers could be lifted for observation and to fire personal weapons at external targets.<ref name="Jane2"/> The two large doors at the rear of the troop compartment were also provided with firing ports.<ref name="Jane2"/> It was this version of the VTT which was approved for serial production as the Panhard M3 in April 1971.<ref name="Haynes"/> At the time, the two largest foreign clients for Panhard military vehicles were Saudi Arabia and Iraq, both of which had invested heavily in the AML series and were persuaded to purchase large numbers of M3s to complement their preexisting fleet.<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}}</ref> The first production M3s were manufactured for the [[Saudi Arabian Army|Royal Saudi Army]], which ordered 150.<ref name="trade"/> Another 60 were ordered by Iraq shortly afterwards.<ref name="trade"/> By 1972, more export orders had been placed by the national armies of Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Lebanon, and Zaire.<ref name="trade"/> The [[United Arab Emirates Army]] went on to become the single largest operator of the M3, ordering 198 in 1978.<ref name="trade"/> The [[Iraqi Army]] was a close second, with 156 in service.<ref name="trade"/> The last production vehicles were completed for Iraq and Algeria and delivered by 1985.<ref name="trade"/> At this time, 1,180 M3s had been produced.<ref name="Haynes"/> The vehicle type was in service in 26 nations worldwide.<ref name="O'Malley"/>

The M3 design had remained identical in over two decades of serial production, and Panhard recognized that its basic technology had become quite dated by the 1980s.<ref name="O'Malley"/> In 1983 the firm began work on a modernised derivative of the M3 known as the Panhard Buffalo.<ref name="O'Malley"/> The Buffalo had an increased wheelbase and could be fitted with either a diesel or petrol engine.<ref name="O'Malley"/> Its hull was fitted with external stowage boxes that gave it somewhat bulkier appearance than its predecessor; these boxes were also designed to detach during a land mine explosion, and thereby preserve the integrity of the hull.<ref name="O'Malley"/> The internal layout of the new vehicle was identical to the M3 and parts compatibility was retained with the M3 and AML.<ref name="O'Malley"/> The Panhard Buffalo did not enjoy the same export success as the M3 and serial production was only carried out on an as-needed basis.<ref name="Haynes"/> A very small number was purchased by Colombia and several Francophone African states.<ref name="Haynes"/>

==Description==

The Panhard M3 was built on the drive train and chassis of the Panhard AML, albeit with a few detail modifications such as a longer wheelbase and wider track.<ref name="AFV39"/> Nearly all of its mechanical components are interchangeable with those found on the AML.<ref name="AFV39"/> The vehicle is fully amphibious and can enter water with minimal preparation.<ref name="Haynes"/> It is propelled and steered in water by its wheels, but was designed for crossing lakes and small rivers rather than deploying at sea.<ref name="Haynes"/> The M3 lacks specialised night vision equipment and is not normally fitted with an [[CBRN defense|NBC]] overpressure system, although this was offered as an option by Panhard.<ref name="Recognition"/>

The hull of the M3 is of all-welded steel construction varying in thickness from 8mm to 12mm.<ref name="Jane2"/> The hull has a horizontal roofline and a pointed, tapering front with a well-sloped glacis plate, similar to that of the AML.<ref name="Recognition"/> Both hull sides are vertical to a point before sloping inwards to accommodate additional crew hatches.<ref name="Recognition"/> The bottom of the hull structure is welded to a shallow vee to partly deflect the explosive force of a land mine.<ref name="Haynes"/> 

The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle and provided with a single hatch cover in the glacis plate opening to the right.<ref name="Jane2"/> The hatch cover is fitted with three integral periscopes for driving when it is closed.<ref name="Jane2"/> The engine and transmission are housed in a compartment directly to the driver's rear.<ref name="Jane2"/> Air is drawn through intakes in the hull roof, with the exhaust pipes running on either side of the roofline.<ref name="Jane2"/> All the interior space to the rear of the engine and transmission is the troop compartment.<ref name="Jane2"/> Aside from the driver, the M3 can carry eleven passengers.<ref name="Compendium" /> Two are seated in the centre of the hull, three on either side of the hull facing outwards, and another three facing the rear.<ref name="Jane2"/> There are three hatches on either side of the hull which lift upwards for observation or engaging targets in the surrounding terrain with personal weapons.<ref name="Jane2"/> There are also two auxiliary hatches in the roofline, one directly to the driver's rear and another at the very rear of the troop compartment.<ref name="Jane2"/> The infantry section debarks from two entry doors on either side of the hull or from two entry doors at the rear of the hull.<ref name="Jane2"/> If needed, the troop compartment can be reconfigured to carry up to a tonne of cargo.<ref name="AFV39"/>

The M3 is powered by a four-cylinder, air-cooled Panhard 4HD petrol engine inherited from the AML.<ref name="Forecast">{{cite web|title=M3 and Buffalo|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=435|location=Newtown, Connecticut, United States
|publisher=Forecast International, Incorporated|date=August 2006|access-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626003545/https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=435|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref> This engine has a diminutive 2-litre displacement and a compression ratio of 7:1, enabling it to run on low octane fuel.<ref name="Haynes"/> It had a reliable reputation and was rated for a mileage of 26,000 kilometres before needing major overhaul.<ref name="Haynes"/> However, the engine was also regarded as somewhat underpowered for the M3 design and unsuitable for propelling the APC at higher speeds off-road.<ref name="Haynes"/>

== Variants ==
* '''M3 VTT''': Standard production model. This was normally armed with a single general-purpose machine gun mounted externally in front of the commander's hatch.<ref name="Haynes"/> Different gun shields were fitted to the machine gun depending on the type specified, although the most common choices were the [[FN MAG]], the [[Rheinmetall MG3]], the [[AA-52 machine gun|AA-52]], and the [[Browning M1919]].<ref name="Haynes"/> Twin machine gun mounts could also be fitted.<ref name="Jane2"/>
*'''M3 VAT''': Repair and recovery variant.<ref name="Compendium" /> This carried a generator, inspection lamps, tow bars, cables, and welding equipment.<ref name="Haynes"/> The number of passengers was reduced to three.<ref name="Compendium" /> 
*'''M3 VDA''': Air defence variant armed with twin Hispano-Suiza 820 SL 20mm autocannon in a one-man turret.<ref name="Compendium" /> The weapons have a maximum elevation of +85° and a depression of -5°, and a cyclic rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute or up to 1,000 rounds per minute if the vehicle is stabilised by four hydraulic jacks.<ref name="Haynes"/> There are 650 stowed rounds of 20mm ammunition on board.<ref name="Jane2"/> The turret is fully powered and can be traversed 360° in three seconds, or elevated to maximum elevation in two seconds.<ref name="Jane2"/> It is also provided with an ESD RA-20 Doppler radar with the capacity to track four incoming targets simultaneously<ref name="Haynes"/> at a range of 8 km.<ref name="Jane2"/> This was the heaviest M3 variant to ever reach production, and weighs over 7 tonnes.<ref name="Compendium" />
*'''M3 VLA''': Engineering variant fitted with a 2.2m-wide bulldozer blade for clearing obstacles.<ref name="Haynes"/> This can carry five passengers but most of the troop compartment has been reconfigured for internal stowage.<ref name="Haynes"/>
*'''M3 VPC''': Mobile command post variant with mapboards and extra radio equipment.<ref name="Compendium" /> The troop compartment has been reconfigured for the placement of teletype sets and short-range as well as long-range communications equipment.<ref name="Haynes"/> The VPC had four batteries instead of the usual two and six antenna mounts.<ref name="Jane2"/>
*'''M3 VTS''': Armoured ambulance variant reconfigured to carry four stretchers in the troop compartment.<ref name="Haynes"/> It has an unusually large one-piece rear door rather than the smaller twin rear doors on the VTT.<ref name="Jane2"/>
*'''M3 Toucan''': Variant armed with an M693 dual-feed or M621 single-feed 20mm autocannon and a co-axial machine gun mounted externally on a GIAT Toucan 1 cupola.<ref name="Haynes"/> The autocannon has an elevation of +50° and a depression of -13°, allowing it to be used against air and ground targets.<ref name="Haynes"/>
*'''M3 VTM''': Mortar tractor variant. This was a modified VTT with the crew compartment reconfigured for ammunition stowage and a hitch for towing a heavy mortar.<ref name="Haynes"/>
*'''M3 VPM''': Mortar carrier variant with a turreted 81mm gun-mortar.<ref name="Jane2"/> This was a VTT with an extensively modified roofline that eliminated most of the crew hatches and added a large turret ring, necessary to accommodate the size of the mortar turret.<ref name="Jane2"/> The VPM was the most heavily armed variant of the M3 ever proposed.<ref name="Jane2"/> It had a crew of four and could carry 60 mortar projectiles in its hull.<ref name="Jane2"/>
*'''M3 VTT 60 B''': Mortar carrier variant with a turreted 60mm gun-mortar.<ref name="Jane2"/> This was a VTT modified to carry the same [[Brandt Mle CM60A1]] gun-mortar as the Panhard AML-60, albeit in a smaller turret which eliminated the co-axial machine guns.<ref name="Jane2"/> Rather, a single machine gun was mounted externally over the rearmost roof hatch.<ref name="Jane2"/>
*'''M3 VTT TH''': Tank destroyer variant armed with a mount for four [[HOT (missile)|HOT]] anti-tank guided missiles.<ref name="Jane2"/> The missile mount has a maximum elevation of +22° and a depression of -10°.<ref name="Haynes"/> Ten additional missiles are stowed inside the hull.<ref name="Haynes"/> The VTT TH has a crew of three.<ref name="Jane2"/> Like the M3 VTS, the VTT TH has a single one-piece rear door rather than the smaller twin doors normally found on the standard VTT.<ref name="Haynes"/>
*'''M3 Internal Security''': Internal security variant. This had a slightly revised crew compartment able to accommodate ten passengers, as well as twin grenade launchers mounted externally at the rearmost hatch for firing riot control agents.<ref name="Haynes"/>
*'''Bosbok''': M3 VTT produced in South Africa under licence.<ref name=lesakeng>{{cite web |url=http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |title=Lesakeng |publisher=South African Armour Museum |date=2012-12-06 |access-date=2013-06-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703141331/http://www.saarmourmuseum.co.za/lesakeng.html |archive-date=3 July 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Bosbok was almost completely identical to the baseline VTT, but was powered by a South African six-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine.<ref name=lesakeng/> Only 3 were ever produced, as the South African military shelved the programme to refocus on the development of the [[Ratel IFV|Ratel]] infantry fighting vehicle.<ref name=lesakeng/>

=== Upgrades ===
A number of defence contractors offer extensive overhauls of the M3 chassis and hull to extend the vehicle's service life and improve its utility on modern battlefields.<ref name="Haynes"/> One particularly ambitious rebuild was proposed by Saymar, an Israeli firm, for the M3 VTT as well as the VLA and VPC variants.<ref name="Saymar">{{cite web|title=M3 APC|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.saymar.co.il/PanhardMAPC.htm|location=Petach-Tikva
|publisher=Saymar Ltd|year=2005|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104062350/http://www.saymar.co.il/PanhardMAPC.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 January 2008}}</ref> This entailed the replacement of the elderly Model 4HD petrol engine with a more fuel-efficient Toyota 2LT diesel engine.<ref name="Saymar"/> Other upgrades included a modified electrical system with a new voltage regulator and starter, the installation of an air conditioning unit, the replacement of the M3's drum brakes with new disc brakes, powered steering, and a new intercom and telecommunications system.<ref name="Saymar"/> The VLA rebuild includes the addition of a 2-tonne recovery crane to the base vehicle, while the VPC rebuild incorporates new mapboards and increased interior lighting.<ref name="Saymar"/>

Another M3 modernisation programme is being marketed by a subsidiary of the [[Military Industries Corporation (Saudi Arabia)|Saudi Military Industries Corporation]].<ref name="Focus">{{cite web|title=Eurosatory 2016 – Regional Focus: Middle East and Africa [ES2016D1]|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.janes.com/article/61175/regional-focus-middle-east-and-africa-es2016d1|location=London
|publisher=Jane's Information Group|date=13 June 2016|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614120441/http://www.janes.com/article/61175/regional-focus-middle-east-and-africa-es2016d1|archive-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> As part of the Saudi rebuild, the Model 4HD petrol engine is replaced by a new four-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel turbocharged engine developing 102 hp (75 kW).<ref name="AVF">{{cite web|title=Panhard armored vehicle|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.avf.com.sa/prdaction-en07.html|location=Dammam|publisher=Military Industries Corporation (Armoured Vehicles and Heavy Equipment Factory) |date=2010|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225163955/http://www.avf.com.sa/prdaction-en07.html|archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref> Other upgrades include power steering, vacuum brakes, and the replacement of the Panhard electromagnetic clutch with a more conventional hydraulic pressure plate clutch.<ref name="AVF"/>

==Combat history==
===Middle East===
At least 60 M3 VTTs were delivered to the [[Lebanese Army]] in 1970-73<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=Trade Registers}}</ref><ref>Zaloga, ''Tank battles of the Mid-East Wars (2)'' (2003), p. 52.</ref><ref>Dunstan, ''Panhard Armoured Car: 1961 Onwards (AML 60, AML 90, Eland), Enthusiasts' Manual'' (2019), p. 154.</ref>  and saw considerable action during the [[Lebanese Civil War]] (1975–1990), with some being loaned to the [[Internal Security Forces]] (ISF) in 1976. Following the collapse of the [[Lebanese Armed Forces]] (LAF) in January that year, a significant number of these vehicles fell into the hands of the competing militias, notably the [[Lebanese Arab Army]] (LAA), the [[Army of Free Lebanon]] (AFL),<ref>Kassis, ''Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2012), p. 57.</ref><ref>Sex & Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'' (2021), pp. 171-172.</ref> the [[People's Liberation Army (Lebanon)|People's Liberation Army]] (PLA),<ref>Sex & Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'' (2021), pp. 21; 53.</ref> [[Al-Mourabitoun]],<ref>Kassis, ''Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2012), p. 44.</ref><ref>Sex & Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'' (2021), p. 190.</ref> [[Kataeb Regulatory Forces]] (KRF),<ref>Kassis, ''Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2012), pp. 57; 59.</ref> and the [[Tigers Militia]].<ref>Kassis, ''30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2003), p. 24.</ref><ref>Kassis, ''Véhicules Militaires au Liban/Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2012), p. 56.</ref><ref>Sex & Abi-Chahine, ''Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond'' (2021), pp. 62; 65.</ref> A few M3 VTTs were again captured by the [[Lebanese Forces (militia)|Lebanese Forces]] (LF) militia from the Lebanese Army during the [[War of Elimination (1990, Lebanon)|Elimination War]] in 1990, and remained in service with the LF Military Police corps until the end of the Civil War in October that year.<ref>Kassis, ''30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon'' (2003), p. 47.</ref>

Ireland  purchased a number of vehicles in the early 1970s in the context of the internal security problems arising from the paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.  The vehicles were not well suited to the role, having a very distinct sound signature whilst the twin FN MAGs in the Creusot-Loire TL.21.80 turret were not capable of accurate fire.<ref>Dunstan, ''Panhard Armoured Car: 1961 Onwards (AML 60, AML 90, Eland), Enthusiasts' Manual'' (2019), pp. 126–128; 154.</ref> A small number were deployed with the Irish UN forces in Lebanon but were regarded as underpowered and lacking manoeuvrability and were eventually replaced with Finnish [[Patria Pasi|SISU XA-180 APC]]s.

== List of operators ==
[[File:M3operators.png|thumb|320px|M3 VTT operators, past and present. Blue denotes contemporary operators, red former.]]
[[File:UNIFIL Easter Parade 2016 M3VTT2.jpg|thumb|Irish Panhard M3 in UN colours.]]
<!--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.-->

===Current operators===
*{{flag|United Arab Emirates }}: 246<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Algeria}}: 55;<ref name="trade"/> 50 operational.<ref name=Maghreb1>{{cite book|last1=Nerguizian|first1=Aram|last2=Cordesman|first2=Anthony|title=The North African Military Balance: Force Developments in the Maghreb|date=2009|pages=25–27|publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies Press|location=Washington DC|isbn=978-089206-552-3}}</ref>
*{{flag|Bahrain}}: 110<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Bosnia-Herzegovina}}: 11 donated by Abu Dhabi.<ref name="Bosnia">{{cite report|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Bosnia Peace Process: Pace of Implementing Dayton Accelerated as International Involvement Increased|date=June 1998|publisher=[[Government Accountability Office]]|location=[[Washington D.C.]]|edition=First|url=http://www.gao.gov/archive/1998/ns98138.pdf|page=170|access-date=28 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211003013/http://www.gao.gov/archive/1998/ns98138.pdf|archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref>
*{{flag|Burkina Faso}}: 13<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Burundi}}: 9<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Chad}}: 15<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Republic of the Congo}}: 9<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}: 58{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=461}}
*{{flag|Gabon}}: 7<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Iraq}}: 244;<ref name="trade"/> 44 operational in 2012.<ref name="Security1">{{cite web|title=Iraq|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Iraq.pdf|location=Tel-Aviv
|publisher=Institute For National Security Studies|date=11 May 2012|access-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625235721/http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Iraq.pdf|archive-date=25 June 2017}}</ref>
*{{flag|Ivory Coast}}: 18{{sfn|The Military Balance 2021|p=459}}
*{{flag|Kenya}}: 12<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Lebanon}}: 30;<ref name="trade"/> 15 operational.<ref name="Security2">{{cite web|title=Lebanon|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/(FILE)1314707038.pdf|location=Tel-Aviv
|publisher=Institute For National Security Studies|date=30 August 2011|access-date=29 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626000258/http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/(FILE)1314707038.pdf|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref>
*{{flag|Myanmar}}: 10 M3VTT; all modernized in Israel in 2010.<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Mauritania}}: 12<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Morocco}}: 54<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flaglist|Niger}}: 32<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Nigeria}}: 18<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Paraguay}}<ref name="Forecast"/>
*{{flag|Rwanda}}<ref name="Recognition"/><ref name="Forecast"/>
*{{flag|Sahrawi Republic}}: 5;<ref name="Security3">{{cite web|title=Morocco|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Morocco20160103.pdf|location=Tel-Aviv
|publisher=Institute For National Security Studies|date=1 March 2016|access-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626000558/http://www.inss.org.il/he/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/Morocco20160103.pdf|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref> captured from Morocco during the [[Western Sahara War]].<ref name=Maghreb>{{cite book|last=Cordesman|first=Anthony|title=A Tragedy of Arms: Military and Security Developments in the Maghreb|date=2001|page=62|publisher=Praeger Books|location=Westport|isbn=978-0275969363}}</ref>
*{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: 150;<ref name="trade"/> all modernized by the [[Military Industries Corporation (Saudi Arabia)|Military Industries Corporation]].<ref name="Focus"/>
*{{flag|Senegal}}: 16<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Sudan}}: 16<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Togo}}: 5<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Yemen}}<ref name="Forecast"/>

=== Former operators ===
*{{flag|Angola}}: 8; inherited from Portugal.<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Ireland}}: 44<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Malaysia}}: 37 - use by [[Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps]]<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Portugal}}: Between 6 and 8 purchased from France in 1970; all abandoned in Angola after the [[Alvor Agreement]].<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flag|Spain}}: 23<ref name="trade"/>
*{{flagicon image|Bandeira da FNLA.svg}} [[National Liberation Front of Angola]]: 1<ref name="Mercs1">{{cite book|title=Mercenaries in Asymmetric Conflicts|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Scott|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2013|isbn=978-1107-02691-9|pages=157–160}}</ref>
*{{flag|South Africa|1928}}: Denoted as the ''Bosbok''. At least 3 were built under licence.<ref name=lesakeng/>

==See also==
*[[Panhard AML]]
*[[Panhard VCR]]
*[[List of AFVs]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
{{Commons|Panhard M3}}
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|last=Dunstan |first=Simon |title=Panhard Armoured Car: 1961 Onwards (AML 60, AML 90, Eland), Enthusiasts' Manual |publisher=Haynes Publishing |publication-place=Somerset, UK |date=2019 |isbn=978-1-78521-194-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Foss |first=Christopher F. |title=Jane's Tank & Combat Vehicle recognition guide |publisher=HarperCollins |publication-place=London |date=2002 |isbn=0-00-712759-6}}
* {{cite book|title=The Military Balance 2021|date=February 2021|volume=121|isbn=978-1-032-01227-8|publisher=Routledge|ref={{harvid|The Military Balance 2021}}|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}
* {{cite book|last=Kassis |first=Samer |title=30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon |publication-place=Beirut |publisher=Elite Group |date=2003 |isbn=9953-0-0705-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Kassis |first=Samer |title=Véhicules Militaires au Liban 1975–1981 |trans-title=Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975-1981 |language=fr |publisher=Trebia Publishing |publication-place=Chyah |date=2012 |isbn=978-9953-0-2372-4}}
* {{cite book|last1=Sex |first1=Zachary |last2=Abi-Chahine |first2=Bassel |title=Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond |series=Modern Conflicts Profile Guide |volume=II |publisher=AK Interactive |date=2021 |id={{EAN|8435568306073}}}}
* {{cite book|last=Zaloga |first=Steven J. |title=Tank battles of the Mid-East Wars (2): The wars of 1973 to the present |publisher=Concord Publications |publication-place=Hong Kong |date=2003 |isbn=962-361-613-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/tankbattlesmidea00zalo_215}}
{{refend}}

{{Modern IFV and APC}}
{{ColdWarFrenchAFVs}}
{{Modern AFV}}
{{ModernFrenchAFVs}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Panhard M3}}
[[Category:Wheeled armoured personnel carriers]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of France]]
[[Category:Panhard military vehicles|M3]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1970s]]
[[Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Wheeled amphibious armoured fighting vehicles]]
[[Category:Amphibious armoured personnel carriers]]