French AMX-10 RC Are Earning Respect in Ukraine

France first pledged to provide the AMX-10 RC to Ukraine in the beginning of 2023. Several months later several of these combat vehicles were already in Ukraine. The AMX-10 RC is quite a bit different from most infantry fighting vehicles. It has a wheeled chassis and a large calibre gun mounted in a tank-style turret. It also has a machine gun. The AMX-10 RC is operated by a crew of four and has no room for passengers. Most conventional infantry fighting vehicles have a large troop compartment to carry soldiers to assault missions and a smaller autocannon (like 20 or 30 mm). That is why the AMX-10 RC is a “wheeled tank”.

The defenders of Ukraine didn’t immediately fall in love with the peculiar AMX-10 RC. They used it in their assault operations in the Zaporizhia region, where they quickly learned that this machine is not suitable for frontal assaults, which was voiced by the French military experts as well. One AMX-10 RC with its crew was lost because shrapnel from 152mm artillery shells exploding nearby penetrated its armour and caused a catastrophic detonation of the ammo inside. Also, Ukrainians were unhappy that the AMX-10 RC is not that good at firing on the go – to achieve accuracy, it needs to stop.

The AMX-10 RC is perfectly suited for fire support missions, not going on direct frontal assaults. Now the defenders of Ukraine praise the accuracy and speed of the 105 mm gun. Its autoloader allows firing 5 shots per minute. It fires HEAT-FS rounds that can defeat main battle tanks at great distances.

In Ukraine, the AMX-10 RC is often used to engage incoming BMP-1/2 and similar infantry fighting vehicles. It is also very useful in the role of fast-acting short-range artillery. The defenders of Ukraine would like to have more self-propelled artillery systems. The AMX-10 RC is not a howitzer, but it can change position, fire several shots quickly, and leave.

While previously the defenders of Ukraine were not too impressed with the armour of the AMX-10 RC, recently one such vehicle survived a hit by a Russian FPV drone. It has stronger anti-tank assets and artillery that are deadly for it, but with some luck, it can survive smaller drone strikes.

Ukraine is still receiving AMX-10 RC machines and accepts them gladly. When used correctly, taking into account its limitations and advantages, this combat vehicle is a valuable asset. In particular, its accurate and fast 105 mm gun is very useful in fire support missions and as a piece of light, highly mobile self-propelled artillery.