AMX-32

Prototype main battle tank



The AMX-32 MBT was developed specially for the export market, but received no production orders

Entered service -
Crew 4 men
Dimensions and weight
Weight 40 t
Length (gun forward) 9.45 m
Hull length 6.59 m
Width 3.24 m
Height 2.29 m
Armament
Main gun 1 x 105-mm rifled
Machine guns 1 x 7.62-mm, 1 x 20-mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees
Ammunition load
Main gun 47 rounds
Machine guns 2 160 x 7.62; 480 x 20
Mobility
Engine Hispano-Suiza HS-110 diesel
Engine power 720 hp
Maximum road speed 65 km/h
Range 530 km
Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.9 m
Trench 2.9 m
Fording 1.3 m
Fording (with preparation) 4 m





The AMX-32 main battle tank is a further development of the commercially successful AMX-30. It's development began in 1975. The first prototype was revealed in 1982. This MBT was developed as a private venture for the export market, however it received no production orders.

The AMX-32 has improved armor protection. Composite armor was used on the frontal arc of the hull and turret. The AMX-32 has an all-welded turret, in place of the cast one on it's predecessor. Side skirts were added for better protection of the hull. It was also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.

The AMX-32 is armed with a non-stabilized 105-mm rifled gun, similar to that of the AMX-30. It was also offered with new 120-mm smoothbore gun. Both guns fire standard NATO 105-mm or 120-mm rounds respectively. Variant with a 120-mm gun can carry a total of 38 rounds.

The AMX-32 was fitted with new COTAS fire control system. It consists of ballistic computer, passive observation and sighting equipment and laser rangefinder. The main drawback of this main battle tank was a lack of gun stabilization equipment and it could not fire accurately on the move. Still it was claimed that the AMX-32 has a 90% hit probability against stationary target in 2 000 m range in day or night conditions.

Secondary armament consists of 20-mm cannon with independent elevation and a roof-mounted 7.62-mm machine gun.

The AMX-32 could be powered either by the Hispano-Suiza HS-110 multi-fuel diesel engine of the AMX-30 MBT, developing 720 hp, or uprated HS-110-S2 unit, fitted on improved AMX-30B2 and developing 780 hp. Chassis of the AMX-32 is very similar to that of the AMX-30 with few minor improvements. Vehicle was fitted with a deep wading kit and could ford water obstacles up to 4 meters deep.