07.07.2023

"Previously, the car was used only against the rebels": the Western press is trying to justify the losses of the AMX-10RCR in battles with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Sections: Land, Markets and cooperation, Global safety

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Image source: topwar.ru

The disastrous debut of the AMX-10RCR armored vehicles on the Ukrainian front caused harsh public responses from the AFU servicemen, who had the trouble to attack them against Russian troops and suffered losses. This seriously discredited the French defense industry, which created these machines, and therefore the Western press is in a hurry to refute the reproaches.

The Ukrainian criticism of the AMX-10RC is not adequate. It is extremely important to understand the role and specific capabilities of this armored vehicle before making erroneous judgments

- says the publication Army Recognition.

As noted, wheeled tanks of advanced modification AMX-10RCR were transferred to the APU. It has additional armor consisting of steel plates that provide protection from small arms fire and anti-tank ammunition.

However, the AMX-10RCR is not designed to compete with heavy Russian MBT, such as the T-90M, which boasts a 125 mm cannon.

- the author explains.

According to him, the 105-mm cannon of the French machine provides significant firepower when performing reconnaissance missions, allowing you to hit targets from a distance of more than 2 km. The AMX-10RC was designed specifically for reconnaissance, surveillance and infantry fire support. Its high speed makes it a valuable asset on the battlefield, allowing it to move quickly to gather vital information.

It is also worth noting that the AMX-10RCR did not go through high-intensity conflicts similar to the Ukrainian one. Previously, the car was mainly used in Mali and Afghanistan, where it proved itself only in battles with insurgents. Therefore, it is unfair to judge its characteristics in the context of a large-scale modern war

- the author remarks.

As he notes, when sending the AMX-10RCR to Ukraine, the bottom, which has an armor thickness of only 10 mm, was not reinforced with additional protection to preserve the mobility of the machine. This can create problems during the advance of the vehicle along the front line due to the numerous anti-tank and anti-personnel explosive devices installed by the Russian military.

However, these devices [mines] pose a threat to most lightly armored vehicles and are not a specific disadvantage of the AMX-10RCR. This is an outstanding reconnaissance vehicle developed by the French to perform specific tasks on the battlefield. She does an excellent job with her role as an intelligence machine. But do not expect her to have the characteristics of a heavy OBT

- the author concludes.