Armored personnel carrier From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The AMX-VCI (French: Véhicule de Combat d'Infanterie) is one of the many variants of the French AMX-13 light tank. It was the front line APC of the French Army until replaced by the AMX-10P. It is still used by some countries, for example Mexico, where it goes under the name of DNC-1 and is armed with a 20mm cannon.
Beginning in 1957, some 3,000 vehicles were produced. It was initially produced as the AMX-13 VTT (véhicule de transport de troupe), which carried ten infantrymen and was armed with either an AA-52 7.62 mm machine gun or a 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun in an open mounting.[2] The final versions had a turret equipped with a 20mm light autocannon, producing a vehicle that can be seen as an early example of the infantry fighting vehicle.
Dutch AMX-PRI armoured personnel carrier armed with the Browning M2HB heavy machine gune.AMX-VCG engineering vehicle in French service.
The AMX-13 VCI itself was the basis for a number of variants:
AMX-VTP: Original APC variant armed with an open-mount light machine-gun
AMX-VTT (AMX-VCI): APC fitted with a turret mounted light machine-gun
AMX-13 VCPC: Argentinian Army version of the AMX-13 VCI
AMX-13 mod.56 VCI: Belgian Army version with a .30 Browning mounted in a CALF38 turret
AMX-13 mod.56 [81mm mortar carrier]: Belgian Army version
AMX-13 mod.56 [command post]: Belgian Army version
AMX-13 mod.56 [ENTAC atgm]: Belgian Army version with a rear-mounted ENTAC missile launcher
AMX-13 mod.56 [cargo]: Belgian Army version
AMX-VTT TOW: Dutch Army version with a TOW launcher on a cupola
AMX-GWT (GeWonden Transport): Dutch army version of the VCTB
AMX-VCI Retrofit: Indonesian Army modernization with the hull lengthened 20 cm to accommodate Navistar 400hp engine, redesigned engine deck, frontal armor, and exhaust, also modification to transmission and suspension.[3]
DNC-1: Mexican Army local designation, slightly modernized version with a diesel engine and a 20mm. cannon, upgraded by SEDENA
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2018)
Lebanon
A total of 60 AMX-VCIs were delivered to the Lebanese Army in 1971-72,[4] with additional 30 vehicles being reportedly delivered in May 1983.[5][6] A number of VCIs were seized by the Amal Movement militia and the pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army (SLA) militia in February 1984 after the defeat of the Lebanese government forces by Shia Muslim and Druze militias during the Mountain War. The captured vehicles were quickly pressed into service by the SLA, who used them during the South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) until the collapse of the militia in the wake of the Israeli withdrawal of April 2000; those used by Amal were returned to the Lebanese Army earlier in October 1990. VCIs up-armed with US M40 106mm recoilless rifles were also employed by Lebanese Army GeneralMichel Aoun's loyalist troops during the Elimination War waged against his Christian rivals of the Lebanese Forces (LF) militia at East Beirut in February 1990, who in turn also managed to capture some VCIs from Army barracks, which were returned in 1991-94.[7][8][9]
This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2020)
Map with AMX-VCI operators in blue and former operators in red
Belgium: Belgian Army, successor to the M75 armored personnel carrier. AMX-13 mod.56 VTT (305 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 PC (72 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 Cargo (58 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 Mor (90 vehicles), AMX-13 mod.56 MILAN (86 vehicles) and AMX-13 mod.56 ENTAC (30 vehicles). Replaced by the M113A1-B and the AIFV-B.[10]
Netherlands: Dutch Army, 345 AMX-PRI (infantry fighting vehicle), 162 PRCO (command), 46 PRVR (cargo) et 46 PRGWT (ambulance). 67 PRI modified to mortar carriers (PRMR) et 26 to tank destroyers (PRAT), with TOW missiles[13]
Kassis, Samer (2003). 30 Years of Military Vehicles in Lebanon. Beirut: Elite Group. ISBN9953-0-0705-5.
Kassis, Samer (2012). Véhicules Militaires au Liban 1975–1981[Military Vehicles in Lebanon 1975-1981] (in French). Chyah: Trebia Publishing. ISBN978-9953-0-2372-4.
Robinson, M.P.; Lau, Peter; Gibeau, Guy (2018). Images of War: The AMX 13 Light Tank, A Complete History – rare photographs from wartime archives. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN978-1-5267-0167-1.
Sex, Zachary; Abi-Chahine, Bassel (2021). Modern Conflicts 2 – The Lebanese Civil War, From 1975 to 1991 and Beyond. Modern Conflicts Profile Guide. Vol.II. AK Interactive. EAN8435568306073.