There are no secondary or primary sources that Gaijin would accept, since the Machbet is still surrounded by mystery.
But two things would indicate that the Machbet could use APDS.
A serviceman confirmed that the Phalanx system in the Israeli Navy has access to 20mm APDS, so such ammunition is available in the country.
The official page of the Machbet on the IAF website states that the gun has a max range of 3.5km
This, of course, is a theoretical limit, but it can only be achieved with APDS and no AP.
Spoiler
I am always digging for more on the Machbet but no official document will be available until 2040+.
Then we will never see the mach with apds, gaijin only takes info of paper prototypes or service action, machbeth its no longer in service so its over.
Its not too late I think, there were some scattered reports that the Machbets and even Hovets are being considered to be overhauled for anti-drone use (after reports of drone usage by Hamas). Maybe someday we could see it happening especially over in Syria. Maybe a 20mm derivative of AHEAD rounds could be developed for it.
To be honest there is no real need for documents to add APDS to the M163 in general.
We know the round fits, we know the same gun on other chassis uses them, so it is only up to Gaijin and their idea of balance.
I have my doubts the Machbet ever used APDS outside tests, since using those kind of rounds in small areas like Israel (especially near urban areas) leads to serious collateral damage.
There is still room for improvement but it’s mainly up to them.
This. What ammunition a vehicle used IRL has mattered less and less as the years have gone by. It still plays a role, sure, but Gaijin has proven time and time again they’re not opposed to the “If I fits, I sits” approach. DM23 for the Type 16s is the most recent example in my memory.
