- Yes
- No
AMX-13/FL-12 L44
In this suggestion we’ll be having a look at the last scout tank in Dutch service, the 105mm wielding French built AMX-13/105.
In the early 1960s, The Netherlands were looking for a replacement for their increasingly outdated M24 Chaffee light tanks. A tender was opened in which several contenders joined, among which the American M41 bulldog and French AMX-13 light tanks. The French offer turned out to be the best match for the Dutch needs, and as a result, The Netherlands made themselves a rather prolific AMX-13 user. Unlike France itself which operated 75mm and 90mm cannons on their AMX-13s, The Netherlands chose to go with the 105mm options. At once becoming the first customer for this type of tank (also known as the AMX-13 modèle 1958 in France).
A total of 131 units were eventually ordered and started entering service into the Dutch armed forces in 1963. The vehicle was used in both cavalry and artillery detachments. In the former it served as an armoured reconnaissance platform, while in the latter it was operated as a dedicated anti-tank weapon. The service life of the vehicles with the Netherlands was pretty long, with retirements gradually starting around 1983 and lasting until the later 80s. In this period the vehicles did not see any active combat and were not part of any deployments.
They were not followed up by an another light tank, instead their roles were taken over by Leopard 1 and later Leopard 2 main battle tanks.
The AMX-13/105 as in service with The Netherlands was pretty similar to the original 1958 model as offered by France, but it still featured a few small differences. For one it came equipped with an FN-MAG machine gun on the commander’s cupola. Another very recognizable feature of the Dutch AMX-13s is the box mounted to the side of the turret which contains an infrared searchlight for low-light operations.
Outside of this, the vehicle is very much the AMX-13 as we already know it. The 105mm gun makes it weigh a little bit more, now coming in at 14.800kg. This, combined with the 250hp engine, gives the vehicle a comfortable power-to-weight ratio of 16.9 hp/ton. Just like most other AMX-13 based platforms, it is capable of reaching a top speed of 60 km/h. The relatively good power to weight ratio despite the mediocre engine is mostly because the AMX-13 is very lightly armoured. With armour thickness varying between 20 and 40mm, it was only really good to hold up against light enemy fire.
However, what it lacked in armour, it made up for in firepower. The Dutch AMX-13s came equipped with the 105mm CN 105-57 cannon. This was combined with an autoloader (as would be expected from a French design featuring an oscillating turret) which gave the vehicle tremendous firepower compared to its small size and weight. The turret holds 2 drums of 6 rounds each which feed the autoloader, with more rounds being carried in the hull.
The cannon used on this tank was designed with the use of HEAT rounds in mind, and in-service it used the same rounds as we know from the early models of the AMX-30. Unfortunately, the design of this cannon did not allow it to fire more advanced APFSDS rounds, and while an upgrade was eventually offered by France, it looks like the Dutch did not acquire it.
Despite the lack of more advanced rounds, the Dutch still praised the vehicle for its significant firepower in a very compact package.
Crew wise nothing changed compared to earlier AMX-13 models. It still consisted of 3 men, a driver, a gunner and a commander. The commander in this case also had access to the aforementioned FN MAG machine gun.
General characteristics:
- length: 6.36m
- width: 2.51m
- height: 2.3m
- weight: 14800kg
- powerplant: liquid cooled v8 engine providing 250hp
- power-to-weight-ratio: 16.9 hp/ton
- max forward speed: 60 km/h
Armament:
- 1x 105mm CN 105-57 cannon
- HEAT
- HE
- 1x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun
- 1x 7.62mm FN MAG machine gun at commander’s hatch
Place in-game:
The AMX-13-105 is the most heavily armed version of the iconic AMX-13 series of tanks. While France itself never operated this version, the BeNeLux subtree offers the perfect reason for Gaijin to finally introduce this vehicle into the tree. If not as a researchable vehicle for whatever reason, the Dutch offer some nice visual changes and names on their vehicles that should easily allow for a premium or reward vehicle.
Gameplay wise it would behave similar to the DF-105 but less mobile. The autoloader and good mobility give you a nice combination of features that allow for both aggressive plays and more cautious flanking playstyles.
All-in-all this is a very iconic vehicle that definitely deserves its place in-game. Gaijin would be making both Dutch and French players very happy with this relatively low effort addition.
Sources
https://ipms.nl/walkarounds/walkaround-voertuigen/walkaround-militair-amx
Dutch Netherlands Tanks & AFVs
Dutch AMX 13 AMX infantry | laststandonzombieisland
AMX-13 tank - Nationaal Militair Museum.
AMX-13
AMX-13 - The Tank Museum
AMX-13/105 | Weaponsystems.net
AMX 13 Lichte tank - collectie - Nationaal Militair Museum
https://sleutelspoor.nl/amx-13/
The French AMX-13 Tank - TankNutDave.com
French Light Tank AMX-13
Army Guide