- Yes
- No
- (independent) BeNeLux tree
- France: BeNeLux subtree
- other
- no/negative
TL;DR: SIBMAS 6x6 APC/FSV armed with the Hispano-Suiza Serval 60/20 turret featuring a 60 mm Brandt LR mortar, 20 mm M693 autocannon, and 7.62 mm coaxial MG.
History
History
The SIBMAS program originated in Belgium in the late 1970s as a national effort to develop a modern amphibious wheeled armored vehicle optimized for reconnaissance, internal security, and mobile fire-support. The platform emphasized strategic mobility, full amphibious capability, modular turret mounting, and export potential.
One of the most used images for the sale of the SIBMAS in magazines (couloured).The SIBMAS featured a welded steel hull, rear-mounted diesel engine, 6x6 independent suspension, and water-jet propulsion for amphibious operations. Multiple variants were proposed and tested, including APC, reconnaissance, SPAAG, and fire-support models. Despite strong performance in trials, Belgium did not adopt the vehicle in large numbers due to shifting defense priorities and budget constraints.
One of the most distinctive experimental configurations was the mounting of the Hispano-Suiza Serval 60/20 turret, a proven export turret already in service on platforms such as the Panhard AML, Panhard ERC, M113, and Vickers Valkyr.
Mounting of the Serval 60/20 turret at the Hispano-Suiza factory.This turret combined indirect mortar fire, direct anti-armor fire, and rapid anti-aircraft capability, making it an ideal match for a fast wheeled chassis like SIBMAS and perfectly aligned with Cold War Belgian mobile doctrine.
About the Hispano-Suiza Serval 60/20 Turret
The turret is of all-welded steel construction with armor thickness ranging from 8 to 15 mm. The commander is seated on the left, the gunner on the right, each with a rear-opening hatch.
The turret as seen detached.Armament consists of three weapons:
- 60 mm Brandt LR breech/muzzle-loaded mortar
- 20 mm M693 automatic cannon mounted at the rear
- 7.62 mm machine gun
Standard equipment includes internal lighting, a ventilation fan, and a coaxial spotlight. Optional equipment includes (and were possibly used on this prototype):
- Hydraulic traverse upgrade increasing rotation speed to 48°/s
- Laser rangefinder
- Ballistic computer (SOPELEM 26)
Full 360° traverse is achieved in 18°/s normally or 48°/s with hydraulic upgrade.
Specifications
Category Details Crew 3 (commander, gunner, driver) Weight 9 t (estimated combat weight) Dimensions Length: 6.2 m; Width: 2.5 m; Height: 2.6 m Ground clearance 0.40 m Armor Welded steel hull; turret armor 8–15 mm; small-arms & splinter protection Engine Diesel engine, 220–250 hp Transmission Manual transmission, 6x6 drivetrain Performance Max speed: 90 km/h; Range: 800 km; Fully amphibious Primary Armament 60 mm Brandt LR breech/muzzle-loaded mortar Secondary Armament 20 mm M693 automatic cannon Tertiary Armament 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun Smoke grenades 2x2 76 mm Turret Traverse 18°/s standard; 48°/s with hydraulic upgrade Gun Elevation −8° to +80° (mortar), −8° to +50° (20 mm) Laser Rangefinder Optional (noted to be installed once) Fire Control Computer Optional ballistic computer Power Supply Vehicle electrical system
Armament: detailed ammunition & performance
Spoiler
60 mm Brandt LR Mortar
Parameter Value Capacity Over 30 rounds Fire Rate 10 rpm Reload Time 6.0 s Elevation / Traverse −8° to +80° / 360° Traverse Speed 18°/s Penetration @ 0° (mm)
Ammunition Type 10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m OCC 60 HEAT 200 200 200 200 200 200 F601 APFSDS 106 104 97 90 83 76 LP HE 4 4 4 4 4 4 Shell Details
Ammunition Velocity (m/s) Mass (kg) Fuse Delay (m) Sensitivity (mm) TNT (g) Ricochet 0° / 50° / 100° OCC 60 250 1.54 0.05 0.1 Unknown 65° / 72° / 77° F601 900 0.45 N/A N/A N/A 78° / 80° / 81° LP 250 2.2 0.01 0.1 Unknown 78° / 80° / 81° 20 mm M693 Automatic Cannon
Parameter Value Capacity 900 total (300 per belt) Fire Rate 740 rpm Reload Time 7.0 s Elevation −8° to +50° Traverse Fixed to turret Penetration @ 0° (mm)
Ammunition Type 10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m OPT AP 57 52 37 24 15 10 RIA APHE 45 43 30 19 9 3 OPTSOC APDS 84 79 63 48 33 40 Shell Details
Ammunition Velocity (m/s) Mass (kg) Fuse Delay (m) Sensitivity (mm) TNT (g) Ricochet 0° / 50° / 100° OPT 1100 0.112 N/A N/A N/A 75° / 78° / 80° RIA 1100 0.120 0.1 0.1 6 73° / 77° / 80° OPTSOC 1300 0.102 N/A N/A N/A 65° / 72° / 77°
Place in War Thunder
The SIBMAS 6x6 APC Serval 60/20 would introduce a truly unique hybrid fire-support vehicle for Belgium into War Thunder’s mid-tier battles. The 60 mm Brandt LR mortar provides devastating direct-fire HEAT and APFSDS rounds capable of engaging light and medium armor with high penetration while also retaining explosive HE support for soft targets. At the same time, the 20 mm M693 autocannon grants solid air-defence capability against aircraft and helicopters, as well as excellent firepower against lightly armored ground vehicles.
With its high speed, full amphibious mobility, rapid turret traverse (up to 48°/s), laser rangefinder, and ballistic computer, the SIBMAS would excel as a fast reaction support vehicle, flanker, and mobile air-defense escort. Its light protection demands careful positioning and use of mobility, making it a high-skill, high-reward platform.
A battle rating of approximately rank V would be appropriate depending on the final in-game implementation of the 60 mm APFSDS and HEAT ammunition. The most natural placement is within the French ground forces BeNeLux subtree, where it would represent a distinctly Belgian vehicle with an entirely new playstyle, but an independent Benelux Tech tree is also possible.
Pictures
On the field and in the factory
Sources
Sources
*Jane’s Information Group. (1993–1994). Jane’s armoured fighting vehicle retrofit systems (pp. 323–325).
Spoiler
- Satory VII. (1979). International defence exhibition catalogue.
*Satory IX. (1983). International defence exhibition booklet.
- Info on the ammunitions:
WeaponSystems.net. (n.d.). 20 mm Giat M693, from 20mm Giat M693 | Weaponsystems.net
Rabbé, D. (n.d.). Panhard AML 60/20 technical file. http://daniel.rabbe.free.fr/fiches/aml6020.htm
