Quick Overview

The AMX-10 RC is a French armored reconnaissance vehicle that sits somewhere between a light tank and a wheeled armored car. It has been in service since the late 1970s and has seen combat in multiple theaters. This Wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes called a "wheeled tank") was developed by Panhard in France and entered service in 1979, still in use, albeit phased out and replaced by the new EBRC Jaguar.

The AMX-10 is a lean, low profile 6x6 assault tank destroyer with a crew of 4, one driver in the hull and a commander, gunner, loader in the turret. It could negociate any exiting bridge thanks to its lighweight of 17 tons for mobility, with a 6×6 wheeled chassis sporting a dynamic hydrospring suspension enabling between others, a hull down position or very low profile. I also has amphibious capability. The AMX-10 RC is powered by a Baudouin GF-11SX diesel rated for 280 hp, with 520l of fuel for a top spedd, governed, in excess of 85 km/h on flat, firm road and a max range at cruise speed of 800 km, also on flat.



Protection includes an aluminum hull with steel add-ons protecting against small arms and shell splinters. Later were propose kits for optional add-ons of applique armor and smoke grenade launchers. Crew protection consists of a collective NBC protection with sealing, overpressure, air conditioning. There is also the classic fire protection with three halong auxtomatic fire extinguishers in the driver, combat and engine compartment at the rear, plus a fire proof bulkhead between the engine and combat compartment and in the turret bustle where ammunitions are stored. In complement, the vehicle comprises two sets of three Galix smoke dischargers/ anti-personal grenade launchers.

As for the arment, the RC for "Roues-Canon" is sporting the longer barrel, but low pressure GIAT 105 mm F2 rifled gun which is lighter than NATO MBT 105 mm of the L7 type cannons, firing specialized ammunition high-explosive (HE), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The latter was certified to defeat the armour of a T-54/55, T-62 or even T-72. In complement, there is a 7.62 mm machine gun, coaxial, and/or roof-mounted.


Overall, the AMX-10, which was mostly deployed in various African threaters over the years, well suited to expeditionary combat, also famously saw combat as par tof the Division Daguet, in Hussars units of the 6th light division, tasked of defending the coalition flank and making long sweep nortwards during Operation desert Storm in 1991. The AMX-10 RC was never designed for direct tank-to-tank duels against modern MBTs, but highly mobile and lethal against lighter vehicles. It was and still is used as a reconnaissance and fire support vehicle for French armored cavalry.

Often used in rapid deployment forces because of its light weight and strategic mobility (air-transportable). Deployed in Chad, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and more recently in Ukraine (donated by France starting 2023). France is phasing it out in favor of the EBRC Jaguar, a more modern 6×6 reconnaissance and combat vehicle with advanced sensors and a 40 mm CTA cannon. Before replacement, the vehicles underwent all an upgrade, the 1994 RCR retrofit-modernization. R stands for "Rénové".

Deployment in Ukraine

In Ukraine, the latter became famously the first armoured vehicle donated by the European Union for its efforts against the Russian invasion of 2022. France pledged to deliver AMX-10 RC vehicles to Ukraine in early 2023 with a first batch of around 14 units sent in February, with plans for possibly up to 30 in total, now all delivered. It was the move that "unfreeze" initial reluctances to deliver main battle tanks to Ukraine. By mid-2024, Army Recognition reported a planned shipment of 24 more AMX-10 RCs as part of a larger package including VAB transports and Caesar artillery systems.

The Ukrainians at first used it in classic combat roles and in direct infantry support but had losses due to its poor protection and no defences against drones. Still, when correctly used, it was well liked, despite being developed as a reconnaissance vehicle, as its 105 mm gun delivers significant firepower, capable of striking targets up to 2 km away with high precision while still being compatible with largely available NATO 105 mm ammunitions. Ukrainian troops have valued its mobility and "shoot-and-scoot" capability. As one soldier noted, it allows them to "go to a position, fire one, two or three times, and quickly withdraw."



This was to make due for its key drawback, a light armor, primarily aluminum, offering limited protection. This has led to losses, six documented so far, when exposed to heavy artillery or frontal assaults as reported by Oryx. A Ukrainian commander described it as suitable for support due to its weaponry and sensors but warned it was "unsuitable for frontline attacks" given its fragility. One particularly tragic event involved a crew lost when 152 mm artillery shrapnel penetrated and detonated onboard ammunition.

Observers note that when used as a mobile indirect-fire platform, even integrated with EW systems, the AMX-10 RC proves effective. Spanish-language coverage reports an AMX-10 RC surviving a hit from an FPV drone—a sign of cautious optimism when the vehicle is used correctly. Reddit users shared perspectives highlighting its strengths: one mentioned it functions like a “'sniper mortar'”—fast, accurate, and lethal if managed well; another summarized perfectly: “If you imagine a sniper on a dirt bike carrying the largest rifle they can carry—that’s the AMX-10 except 105 mm.”

On Tank Encyclopedia 23/08/2016

AMX 10RC specifications
Dimensions (l-w-h):	9.13 x 2.95 x 2.6 m (29’11” x 9’8” x 8’6”)
Weight:	17 tons
Crew:	4: commander, gunner, loader, driver
Propulsion:	Baudouin GF-11SX diesel, 280 hp, 520 l of fuel
Suspensions:	6×6 wheeled chassis, hydropneumatic
Top Speed:	85 km/h (road)(53 mph)
Range:	800 km (500 mi)
Armament:	GIAT 105 mm rifled cannon, 7.62 mm/12.7 mm MGs, GALIX GL
Armour:	Aluminum hull with steel add-ons, Applique
Total Production	256, upgraded to RCR

Gallery

Regular RC in field tests, 1978

6th Light Div. Hussars, Operation Daguet (Desert Storm) 1991

Moroccan vehicle, 108 active.

Qatari Vehicle, 12 active.

AMX-10 RCR SEPAR

AMX-10 RCR SEPAR, low.

RCR valo

Links

army-guide.com
armyrecognition.com
armyrecognition.com RCR
forecastinternational.com
oryxspioenkop.com

Video

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