The tower with the French 155-mm howitzer was tested on the T-72 tank

French designers tried to cross the T-72 with their 155-mm self-propelled artillery installation AUF1.

Work on this topic was carried out in the early 90s. The fact is that the Indian ground forces then planned to increase the number of self-propelled guns in their artillery units. At the same time, there were wishes expressed that the combat vehicle would use the platform of the "seventy - second" - the main battle tank, manufactured under license and widely used in the armed forces of this state.

In turn, the AUF1 developed in the second half of the 70s was already in service with the French army. It was also supplied to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. The military of the latter actively used these self-propelled guns during a long and very bloody war against neighboring Iran.

The main difference between the original version was the use of the AMX-30 tank, which at that time was considered already outdated and inferior to the T-72 in all characteristics.

A prototype of the updated machine appeared in 1995. The maximum firing range of conventional projectiles was 23,500 meters, active-reactive-30,000 meters.

Semi-automatic loading made it possible to make up to eight shots in one minute. The ammunition consisted of more than four dozen ammunition. According to some reports, the French anti-aircraft machine gun was planned to be replaced with a 12.7-mm NSVT "Utes".

The crew consisted of four people. The engine power is 780 hp. The maximum speed on the highway is 60 km / h. The power reserve is 500 km.

The car was successfully tested, but the Indian side still did not dare to purchase it. Also, attempts to interest the military of other countries in this ACS were not successful.

In addition, a self-propelled gun with a South African-made turret was tested in India, but it was not purchased either.

Alexey Moiseev