Ukraine's trusted warhorses: The enduring role of11 M3s
One of the Ukrainian M113 armoured personnel carrier crews has chosen to share insights on how these quite old American vehicles are performing on the front lines. It appears that despite their age and certain limitations, they can still be of use in the context of military conflict.
The M113 armoured personnel carriers were originally designed in the 1950s. They saw service in the Vietnam War, among others, during which they were utilised by the United States Army. However, they also came into service in the armies of many other countries that are now among Ukraine's allies. Consequently, Kyiv has already received several hundred M113 armoured personnel carriers, making them one of the most numerous Western vehicles in the Ukrainian army.
The Ukrainians evaluated the M113 armoured personnel carriers
The Ukrainians primarily use the M113 armoured personnel carriers for transporting soldiers and equipment, as well as evacuating the wounded from the battlefield. Inside this vehicle, there is sufficient space for a maximum of 11 people, while the crew consists of two additional members.
Members of the Ukrainian M113 armoured personnel carrier crew emphasise that its advantages include good off-road capabilities and a high maximum speed. The designers equipped it with a 275 HP engine, which according to official specifications, allows it to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. However, one of the Ukrainians claims to have accelerated these American vehicles to even 75 km/h. Another advantage is their amphibious abilities (crossing water bodies).
The armour does not provide a high level of protection, but this is attributable to the vehicle's age. Among the drawbacks of the M113 armoured personnel carriers, Ukrainians primarily mention the very loud engine noise and fairly frequent breakdowns related to the tracks and engine components.
However, these are relatively simple constructions, and some breakdowns can be swiftly repaired (as long as spare parts are available). Similar opinions were previously expressed by other Ukrainian soldiers, who noted that American carriers have some similarities to popular grain harvesters, and many Ukrainian mechanics have quickly mastered the construction of M113 armoured personnel carriers, even though they had never dealt with military equipment before.
