The AMX-30 was France’s answer to the Cold War tank race—a fast, mobile, and hard-hitting main battle tank designed to prioritize speed and firepower over heavy armor. But was this unconventional strategy effective? In this video, we explore:
✅ The origins of the AMX-30 after France abandoned the joint Europa-Panzer project
✅ Design philosophy and why France believed armor was obsolete
✅ Firepower and performance, including the unique Obus G HEAT round
✅ Combat history, from the Gulf War to Middle Eastern conflicts
✅ Modernization and upgrades, including the AMX-30B2 and BRENUS package
✅ Its global impact, export success, and eventual retirement
The AMX-30 is a main battle tank designed by Ateliers de construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX, then GIAT) and first delivered to the French Army in August 1966. The first five tanks were issued to the 501st Régiment de Chars de Combat (Tank Regiment) in August of that year. The production version of the AMX-30B weighed 36 metric tons (40 short tons), and sacrificed protection for increased mobility. The French believed that it would have required too much armour to protect against the latest anti-tank threats, thereby reducing the tank's maneuverability. Protection, instead, was provided by the speed and the compact dimensions of the vehicle, including a height of 2.28 metres. It had a 105 mm gun, firing a then advanced high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead known as the Obus G. The Obus G used an outer shell, separated from the main charge by ball bearings, to allow the round to be spin stabilized by the gun without spinning the warhead inside which would disrupt jet formation. Mobility was provided by the 720 horsepower (540 kW) HS-110 diesel engine, although the troublesome transmission adversely affected the tank's performance.
From Cold War doctrine to the battlefields of the Gulf War, the AMX-30 had a unique legacy in tank warfare. Was France’s bet on mobility the right choice, or did it leave the AMX-30 outclassed? Watch the full breakdown and let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Hope you enjoy!!
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