France readies transfer AMX-10P APC to Ukraine

France is preparing to transfer to Ukraine 25 AMX-10P withdrawn from service.

This was reported by Jean Do Merchet, journalist of the French L’opinion.

Replacement of the obsolete AMX-10P began in 2008. Combat vehicles were completely decommissioned by the French army in 2015.

“Most have been broken up for scrap, but there are still some that can be passed on secondhand, as can TRF-1 guns,” the journalist wrote.

AMX-10P

The AMX -10P is a 14.2 ton infantry fighting vehicle manufactured by GIAT.

It was adopted by the French Army in 1973. But seven years ago, it was replaced by a VBCI infantry fighting vehicle.

The АМХ-10Р hull is made according to the classic design scheme and is completely welded from aluminum rolled armor plates made of AZ5G alloy. The IFV provides protection for the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel from small caliber artillery rounds. The frontal armor of the hull is able to withstand fire with ZU-23-2 23mm automatic cannon armor-piercing rounds and in a circle from a KPVT 14.5mm heavy machine gun.

The command compartment is arranged on the left side of the front part of the vehicle. The driver gets into the vehicle through a round individual hatch, which opens up. On the right in the front of the hull is the engine-transmission compartment, which has the shape of the Latin letter L.

Behind the command compartment is the combat compartment with a Toucan II two-man turret. It is set ​​with an offset to the left along the axis of the vehicle. The IFV`s commander is placed in the turret on the left, and the gunner on the right side. Both crew members take their seats in the vehicle through hatches that open on both sides.

In the aft part of the hull is a landing compartment for eight soldiers. It is equipped with individual folding seats. The landing party enters the vehicle through two hatches in the roof of the IFV hull or a large ramp in the aft part, which is opened using an electric drive.

The main armament of the АМХ-10Р consists of a GIAT М693 20mm autocannon and a paired AANF1 7.62 mm machine gun. The guidance of weapons on both axes is carried out using electric drives or manually. The gun has a dual loading system, which allows the gunner to choose the type of ammunition – high explosive or armor-piercing – depending on the target.

The М693 gun has an effective fire range up to 1500 meters. The armor-piercing projectile has an initial speed of 1300 m/s and penetrates a 20 mm thick armored plate at a distance of 1000 meters. It can take out Soviet BMP-1/2 and other light armored vehicles. Due to the lack of a weapon stabilization system, the effectiveness of the gun is relatively low; it is almost impossible to hit the target from it without stopping.

АМХ-10Р has a Hispano-Suiza HS 115 diesel engine. It has eight cylinders and 280 horsepower. This allows the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. If necessary, the engine, and transmission can be replaced within two hours in the field.

АМХ-10Р IFV is fully amphibious. The vehicle has two water jet engines driven from the gearbox through the transmission shaft. Water jets are installed in the stern of the vehicle on both sides of the ramp and, when overcoming a water obstacle, allow the vehicle to reach a speed of 7 km/h.