Ukraine's frontline edge: French vehicles impress
The Ukrainians are deploying distinctive reconnaissance vehicles from France on the front lines. Here’s what they have to say about these aluminium vehicles, even under drone attack conditions.
After initial challenges in integrating the French AMX-10 RC/RCR reconnaissance vehicles, the Ukrainians have finally identified a suitable role for them. The Ukrainian crew of one such vehicle highly commends its off-road capabilities, firepower, and the precision of its 105 mm gun. The downside is the armour, but the storage arrangement of the ammunition allowed the crew to survive a hit from a Russian FPV drone without injury.
The Ukrainians appreciate that, depending on the loader's efficiency and the firing mode, the rate of fire ranges from 5 to 11 or 12 rounds per minute. The first rate applies to accurate shooting, such as at approaching infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1/2, and the latter for operating as light artillery with a range of about 5 to 6 kilometres, coordinated by drones. This helps to somewhat offset the shortage of CAESAR howitzers.
AMX-10 RC/RCR - the pinnacle of the evolution of French "wheeled tanks"
The AMX-10 RC reconnaissance vehicles represent the French reconnaissance doctrine, which holds that the identified target should be destroyed by the scout if necessary. Owing to this philosophy, the AMX-10 RC, introduced in 1981, was equipped with a 105 mm calibre gun, similar to those used in Leopard 1 tanks previously.
The AMX-10 RC weighs approximately 18 tonnes, mainly due to its aluminium armour, which provides protection only against small arms and artillery fragments. This type of armour implies that the vehicle could be vulnerable even to heavy machine guns such as the Kord or DSzK. Therefore, the vehicle's mobility is its primary defence strategy.
Thanks to its ability to float, water obstacles do not pose a problem. Additionally, the hydropneumatic suspension allows for ground clearance and tyre pressure adjustments from within the vehicle and enables on-the-spot rotation.
The fire control system, equipped with thermal imaging, provides excellent observation capabilities even under challenging conditions, facilitating accurate targeting. The gun's range enables it to destroy enemy vehicles, including tanks like the T-80BWM or T-90M (from the side), from several kilometres away. Consequently, AMX vehicles are deployed as sniper vehicles, emerging from cover to engage targets on command and then swiftly returning to concealed positions.
Ukraine has received AMX-10 vehicles in both the RC version and the upgraded RCR version, where R stands for Renové (renewed), dating from the 2000s. As part of the modernisation, contemporary optronics with thermovision for both the gunner and commander, as well as the Galix self-defence system—which automatically launches smoke grenades and decoys when threatened—were added. Some vehicles have also been fitted with ceramic armour, enhancing protection at the expense of losing amphibious capability.
