Ukraine officer slams French AMX-10RC as 'thin armored', 'impractical'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Jul 2023 16:04

In addition to the thin armor, the commander said that the AMX10 RCs have mechanical problems with their gearboxes breaking down because of being driven on dirt roads.

French-made AMX-10RC wheeled reconnaissance vehicle in service of Ukraine in an undisclosed location, 2023(Social media)

A Ukrainian commander was quoted describing the French-manufactured AMX-10 RC infantry fighting vehicles as "impractical" for front-line attacks.

The commander also reported that a crew of 4 soldiers was killed because of the vehicle's thin armor which offered them minimal protection.

The #French AMX-10RC tank, completely inadequate for the terrain, was abandoned by the #Ukraine army and was captured by #Russia n forces intact, with all the ammo. #ukrainiancounteroffensive #UkraineWar #UkraineWarNews #UkraineRussiaWar️ pic.twitter.com/jGZm7UACTl
— Alex Bukovsky (@BungeeWedgie) July 2, 2023

This comes after President Zelensky and Defense Minister expressed their gratitude to President Macron for sending the combat tanks to Kiev.

The AMX-10 RCs had been reportedly deployed in the field since April.

The vehicles which ate designed for reconnaissance and attacks on enemy tanks reportedly failed to meet their designed purpose. The French Ministry of Defense had also said that the vehicles offer protection from light arms.

The Russian successfully captured the French tank AMX-10RC AFU pic.twitter.com/VtRUcB8LPS
— Koba (@Roberto05246129) July 2, 2023

One battalion commander says that the vehicles' thin armor serves as useful only in fire support, but not in front-line attacks.

"Unfortunately, there was one case when the crew died in the vehicle. There was artillery shelling and a shell exploded near the vehicle, the fragments pierced the armor and the ammunition set detonate," the major told AFP on Friday.

"The guns are good, the observation devices are very good. But unfortunately, there is thin armor and it is impractical to use them in the front line (attack)," he added.

Citing an on-field incident as evidence for his assessment, the commander said that shrapnel from a 152 mm shell penetrated the vehicle.

In addition to the thin armor, the commander said that the AMX10 RCs have mechanical problems with their gearboxes breaking down because of being driven on dirt roads.

"Just sending out the vehicles [into combat] so they get destroyed, I consider it is impractical and unnecessary because it's primarily a risk for the crew," the commander said.

The commander adds that the 1 month of training which the soldiers had undergone in France was not enough to master the vehicles' use.

Earlier this week, Rostec revealed that Russia will begin mass production of a new generation of electronic warfare (EW) systems to counter drones in the next couple of months.

"Within 1-2 months, it is planned to complete state tests and switch to serial production of a fundamentally new generation of aviation and ground-based electronic warfare and anti-UAV systems," Rostec confirmed.

The state-owned defense firm indicated that it is increasing the production of weapons and special military equipment, including attack helicopters, modernized combat fighters, front-line bombers, and strategic missile carriers, as well as transport and combat training aircraft.

It also said its enterprises are engaged in the production of land, air, and sea electronic warfare equipment, in addition to state identification equipment and measuring equipment for special purposes.

According to Rostec, "Missile formations are replenished with Iskander-M complexes, anti-aircraft gunners receive Pantsir-S1 complexes. Deliveries of T-72B3, T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M tanks continue."