The AMX-32 was offered as a heavy-duty alternative to lighter-weight AMX-30 MBT series but found no takers for its time on the market.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
9/25/2018
1/1
Credit: Front left side view of the AMX-32 Main Battle Tank; color
The AMX-32 was a further development of the commercially successful French-made AMX-30 main battle tank. Along with improvements made to the main armament, crew protection and internal components, the system was intended to be an export product to customers who needed more punch than the AMX-30 offered. In the end, however, the AMX-32 was only developed into two prototypes as no production orders were received.
The AMX-32 sported two differing main guns. The first prototype was featured with the AMX-30's 105mm main gun while the second prototype appeared with the more powerful 120mm type. In addition to this change, the AMX-32 also featured improved armor design along with side skirts for better protection of vital systems and crew. The turret was completely redesigned with more defined slopes and featured a 20mm coaxial cannon mount along with a commander's 7.62mm machine gun. Improvements to the fire control system were substantial when compared to its predecessor and gave the AMX-32 the capability of day/night stationary/moving target engagement including a laser rangefinder.
In the end, AMX-32 was not to be as the changes necessitated an increase in overall weight, rendering any improvements to the base AMX-30 mobility moot. The AMX-32 was never produced beyond the two prototypes and there were already other purchase options on the market available to existing AMX-30 customers.
Specifications
Year: 1979
Crew 4
Manufacturing Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) - France
Production 2 Units
None
- Tank vs Tank
- Main Battle Tank (MBT)
- Frontline
Length:
32.32 ft (9.85 m)
Width/Span:
10.63 ft (3.24 m)
Height:
9.71 ft (2.96 m)
Weight:
44 tons (40,000 kg; 88,185 lb)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the AMX-32 (120mm gun) production model)
1 x Hispano-Suiza 110 12-cylinder multi-fuel engine developing 720 horsepower.
(Showcased powerplant information pertains to the AMX-32 (120mm gun) production model)
Maximum Speed:
40 mph (65 kph)
Maximum Range:
329 miles (530 km)
(Showcased performance values pertain to the AMX-32 (120mm gun) production model; Compare this entry against any other in our database)
1 x 120mm main gun
1 x 20mm M693 coaxial cannon
1 x 7.62mm machine gun in commander's cupola
3 x smoke dischargers
Ammunition: 38 x 120mm projectiles
480 x 20mm ammunition
3 x smoke grenades
(Showcased armament details pertain to the AMX-32 (120mm gun) production model)
AMX-30 - Base Main Battle Tank Designation on which the AMX-32 is based on.
AMX-32 Prototype 1 - Fitted with 105mm main gun.
AMX-32 Prototype 2 - Fitted with 120mm main gun.
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