AMX-30V — Stabiliser!

ChieftainWarrior · June 16, 2025, 4:31am

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AMX-30V

TL;DR: Venezeulan AMX-30 upgrade, featuring a new engine, transmission, fire control system, and most importantly, a stabiliser

History
The development of the French AMX-30 followed work on the Europanzer, a joint German-French-Italian project to develop a unified MBT. The first French Europanzer prototype was built in 1960. In 1961, Germany presented their prototypes. In 1963, both Germany and France decided to separately develop their respective designs, as neither could agree on the characteristics. France took their Europanzer design and refined it, resulting in the construction of five pre-production vehicles that year, designated AMX-30A. The vehicle entered production in 1966 as the AMX-30B.

AMX-30A

An AMX-30A on parade

In 1971, Venezeula ordered 81 AMX-30Bs from France (as well as two AMX-30D recovery vehicles), and deliveries began that year. Until the delivery of T-72B1Vs in 2009–2012, the AMX-30B was Venezuela’s only MBT. In 1985, the AMX-30Bs underwent a significant modernisation program . A SABCA fire control system was fitted, including new sights, a laser rangefinder, and a gun stabiliser. The engine and transmission were both replaced, for which the rear hull had to be extended. This was similar to the upgrade performed by Spain for the AMX-30E Prototipo 001 «El Niño» in 1979. The suspension system was also upgraded, from torsion bars to a hydropneumatic system. The vehicles were redesignated AMX-30V, and remain in service to this day.

AMX-30B

AMX-30B, shortly after arriving in Venezuela

Spain has reportedly supplied Venezuela with spare parts for the AMX-30Vs. In 2014, Venezeula announced a modernisation program for the AMX-30Vs, and the first was displayed in 2018 — this upgrade is designated AMX-30VE, and features, among other upgrades, thermal sights.

AMX-30V rear

AMX-30V rear

Characteristics
The AMX-30V is fitted with a stabilised 105mm CN-105-F1 cannon. It can fire a range of ammunition, including OCC 105 F1 HEAT, penetrating 400mm @ 0°, as well as OFL 105 F1 APFSDS, penetrating 361mm @ 0° @ 10m, and 186mm @ 60° @ 2000m. I have been unable to determine if Venezeula uses APFSDS rounds, particularly since OFL 105 F1 entered service a decade after Venezeula bought their AMX-30s. However, the rounds are definitely compatible, and should still be considered. The AMX-30V is also fitted with one coaxial 12.7mm M2 HMG, as well as a 7.62mm AA NF1 on the commander’s cupola.

AMX-30V ammunition

AMX-30V and HEAT ammunition on display

The turret features a SABCA ATLAS Mk. 4 FCS, which consists of new optical (day/night) sights, a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, and a variety of sensors. The gunner’s sight has a magnification of 8x. Externally, the turret has two 76mm smoke dischargers on either side, for a total of eight.

The AMX-30V is thinly-armoured, and features no armour upgrades over the base AMX-30B. The turret and hull are both cast, and as such, quite variable in thickness and angle. The hull front is around 50mm @ 68°, hull sides 35mm @ 35°, and hull rear 30mm @ 10°. The turret front is even more variable, but around 40mm at the front, and 30mm at the sides and rear.

The AMX-30V is fitted with the AVDS-1790-2D diesel engine, producing 750hp, connected to an Allison CD-850-6A transmission with six forward and two reverse gears. Enlarged fuel tanks were also added, and the hull was visibly extended between the 5th road wheel and the drive wheel. The vehicle is also fitted with Model 2880 hydropneumatic suspension, supposedly significantly improving its off-road performance. The tank weighs around 37t, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 20.3hp/t.The AMX-30V can reach a top speed of 65km/h. For comparison, the AMX-30B2 has a 680hp engine and hp/t ratio of 18.4 hp/t, with the same top speed.

AMX-30Vs during a training exercise

Conclusion
The AMX-30V is one of only a few stabilised AMX-30s, and would be an excellent addition to either the French tech tree, potentially as a premium, or to a future Latin American tech tree. It would fit at a BR of around 8.3–8.7, depending on ammunition (just HEAT at 8.3, HEAT + APFSDS at 8.7).

Specifications
Armament

105mm CN-105-F1
- Stabilised
- OCC 105 F1 HEAT
  - 400mm at 0º
- OFL 105 F1 APFSDS
  - 361mm at 0° at 10m
- OE 105 F1 Mle.60 HE
  - 25mm at 0° at 10m
- OFPH 105 F1 Smoke
1x 12.7mm M2HB, 1x 7.62mm AA NF1
Laser-rangefinder