Difference between revisions of "AMX-32"

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[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]]. An improved version of the AMX-30, it gets an upgraded gun, an upgraded engine, and spaced armour giving additional protection and advantages on the battlefield. There were several versions of the AMX 32 developped. The one in the game represents the 1981 120 mm armed version with the retrofit of a thermal imagery equipment which was proposed in 1985. The tank in game therefore matches what the AMX 32 could have been by 1985 despite the first prototype of the tank being ready by 1979
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]]. An improved version of the AMX-30, it gets an upgraded gun, an upgraded engine, and spaced armour giving additional protection and advantages on the battlefield. There were several versions of the AMX-32 developed. This version represents the 1981 120 mm armed version with the retrofit of thermal imagery equipment which was proposed in 1985.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
The AMX-32 is protected by spaced armour on the lower glacis (50 mm RHA, 100 mm air, 79 mm RHA) and the mantlet (2 5mm RHA, 140 mm air, 35 mm RHA), respectively. An improved version of the AMX-30, the tank was built for mobility, not armour. The spaced armour will prevent some spalling of HEAT shells and will nullify any HESH shells. The upper glacis plate is sloped at 81 degrees, meaning almost all incoming rounds will ricochet, often into the turret and damaging the breech and even the turret crew. Overall, in terms of armour, the AMX-32 has enough armour to absorb at most 2-4 shots before being knocked out. The spaced armour is useful in countering HESH and some HEAT shells, but its armour should never be relied on or overestimated.
+
The AMX-32 is protected by spaced armour on the lower glacis (50 mm RHA, 100 mm air, 79 mm RHA) and the mantlet (25mm RHA, 140 mm air, 35 mm RHA), respectively. An improved version of the AMX-30, the tank was built for mobility, not armour. The spaced armour will prevent some spalling of HEAT shells and will nullify any HESH shells. The upper glacis plate is sloped at 81 degrees, meaning almost all incoming rounds will ricochet, often into the turret and damaging the breech and even the turret crew. Overall, in terms of armour, the AMX-32 has enough armour to absorb at most 2-4 shots before being knocked out. The spaced armour is useful in countering HESH and some HEAT shells, but its armour should never be relied on or overestimated.
  
 
Additional note:
 
Additional note:
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,240|rbMinHp=708}}
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,240|rbMinHp=708}}
  
−
The AMX-32 is powered by a Hispano-Suiza HS-110-2-SR engine rated at 800hp @ 2500RPM, with a transmission providing seven forward gears and two reverse gears, similar to the transmission from the AMX-30. Like the AMX-30, the AMX-32's top speed is 65kph/40mph forward, but the AMX-32 goes 3.9kph/2.4mph faster in reverse thanks to its upgraded engine. The AMX-32 was designed with mobility in mind, and it does just that. It is slower than the AMX-40, but still holds its ground against more sluggish tanks, especially British and Russian vehicles at its BR. However, it should not be overestimated, as tanks such as the KPz-70 will outmatch your mobility anywhere. In an uptier, even more if not all tanks will outperform you in terms of mobility.<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
+
The AMX-32 is powered by a Hispano-Suiza HS-110-2-SR engine rated at 800hp @ 2500RPM, with a transmission providing seven forward gears and two reverse gears, similar to the transmission from the AMX-30. Like the AMX-30, the AMX-32's top speed is 65 km/h (40 mph) forward, but the AMX-32 goes 3.9 km/h (2.4 mph) faster in reverse thanks to its upgraded engine. The AMX-32 was designed with mobility in mind, and it does just that. It is slower than the AMX-40, but still holds its ground against more sluggish tanks, especially British and Russian vehicles at its BR. However, it should not be overestimated, as tanks such as the KPz-70 will outmatch your mobility anywhere. In an uptier, even more if not all tanks will outperform you in terms of mobility.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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{{main|20F2 (20 mm)|A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|20F2 (20 mm)|A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)}}
  
−
The 20F2 (French designation of M693) automatic cannon is mounted in tandem with the CN-120 in the turret mantlet. Players who have played the AMX-30 (1972) in Tier V will already know the capabilities of this weapon. Similarly to the [[Rh202 (20 mm)|Rh202]] cannon found on the MBT/KPz-70, it excels at quickly taking out not only light tanks and SPAA, but also cannon barrels, a vital ability that gives the AMX-32 the upper hand in one-on-one combat. If the enemy tank fires at you and hits or misses, you are able to overextend, destroy the cannon barrel with the 20 mm, and safely engage the tank with your 120 mm. Lightly armoured tanks, IFV's, and anti-aircraft vehicles will be quickly taken care of by the 20F2.
+
The 20F2 (French designation of M693) automatic cannon is mounted in tandem with the CN-120 in the turret mantlet. Players who have played the AMX-30 (1972) in Rank V will already know the capabilities of this weapon. Similarly to the [[Rh202 (20 mm)|Rh202]] cannon found on the MBT/KPz-70, it excels at quickly taking out not only light tanks and SPAA, but also cannon barrels, a vital ability that gives the AMX-32 the upper hand in one-on-one combat. If the enemy tank fires at you and hits or misses, you are able to overextend, destroy the cannon barrel with the 20 mm, and safely engage the tank with your 120 mm. Lightly armoured tanks, IFV's, and anti-aircraft vehicles will be quickly taken care of by the 20F2.
  
 
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<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
  
−
As soon as the AMX 30B entered service in 1966 it was pretty clear that this tank would not be able to face the newly introduced Soviet T64 tank and as a result would need to be replaced or dramatically improved over the course of it's serviceable life. Therefore improvements had to be incorporated into the design to keep it competitive. Various development program saw the light at the end of the 60's and all were ultimately meant to be incorporated to the AMX 30. These improvements had to improve the characteristics of the tank in the three main defining MBT traits : Firepower, mobility and armor with the company GIAT being the project manager of all studies that were to be undertaken.
+
As soon as the AMX-30B entered service in 1966 it was clear that it would not be able to face the newly introduced Soviet T-64 tank and as a result would need to be replaced or dramatically improved over the course of its serviceable life. Therefore improvements had to be incorporated into the design to keep it competitive. Various development programs saw the light at the end of the 60's and all were ultimately meant to be incorporated into the AMX-30. These improvements had to improve the characteristics of the tank in the three main defining MBT traits: firepower, mobility, and armour, with the company GIAT being the project manager of all studies that were to be undertaken.
  
−
The EFAB (Etablissement de la fabrique d'arme de Bourges/Weapon manufacturing facility of Bourges) were to improve the firepower of the tank
+
* The EFAB (Etablissement de la fabrique d'arme de Bourges/Weapon manufacturing facility of Bourges) were to improve the firepower of the tank.
 +
* AMX-APX were to improve the armour of the tank.
 +
* Hispano-Suiza and SESM (today RENK France) company were to improve the mobility of the tank.
 +
* SFIM were to improve the optic/optronic suite of the tank.
  
−
The AMX-APX were to improve the armor of the tank
+
In the meantime, AMX-APX started a private project whose goal was to develop a new tank based on the AMX-30 to replace it until a French 3rd generation tank would be available. This tank was named AMX-32 and its development started in 1975 with the first prototype being ready in 1977. The tank at this time featured a rebuilt AMX-30 hull with spaced high hardness RHA armour at the front of the hull as well as new FCS control system named COTAC introduced 2 years earlier on the [[AMX-10RC]] coupled to a new electrohydraulic turret powering unit called ATS GS 32, a fully rotating stabilized panoramicsight with a 2nd generation light intensifier at the disposal of the commander called M527 designed by the SFIM, a semi automatic gearbox ENC200 minerva with torque converter, and a DI VT 13 2nd generation light intensifying camera. The new tank was also capable of firing on the move thanks to the M527 commander panoramic sights whose stabilized mirror gyroscopes were able to send inputs to the tank gun servos thus stabilizing it on both axis when the commander used its priority controls over the turret.
  
−
Hispano Suiza ans SESM (today RENK France) company were to improve the mobility of the tank
+
AMX-APX tried to sell this new tank to the French Army but the price was found to be prohibitive for what was thought to be replaced in less than 10 years... Therefore it was decided that the project should be solely dedicated to the export market. GIAT was not satisfied with the first version of the tank. If it had to attract foreign customers, this tank could not afford to be just a more expensive French Leopard 1A4 clone which already had a very good reputation and could be acquired for a fairly low price. It was decided that the AMX-32 had to become the best 2.5 generation MBT if it was to have a chance to be sold.
  
−
SFIM were to improve the optic/optronic suite of the tank.
+
Therefore GIAT ordered that new improvements had to be made, especially in the protection and firepower department, so they assigned the EFAB to the design of a larger, better protected turret capable of housing the soon to become CN120-25 L/52 120 mm smoothbore cannon originally intended for the EPC program (Engin Principal de Combat/Main Combat Vehicle program eventually resulting in the AMX Leclerc). In less than 2 years the turret was ready as well as a new turret for the more basic 105 mm gun. These two turrets had similar layouts and protection levels, only the gun mantlet as well as the position of the night vision device were different, and were both showcased at SATORY 1981, the 120 mm version was also proposed with a boosted HS 110-2-SR developping 800 HP in order to keep the HP/ton ratio around 20. The two versions of the tank attracted a lot of interest but ultimately, no orders were ever placed. Despite probably being the best modernized second generation tank of its time, the niche market of modernized 2nd generation MBT was simply too tight for this tank to fit with modernized Leopard 1's and M60's monopolizing said market. GIAT tried once again with the AMX-40, this time being a completely new tank which was better protected and much more mobile, rivaling M1's and Leopard 2's in mobility and firepower. However it encountered no more success than the AMX-32. The AMX-32 was proposed for the last time on the export market in 1985 before being replaced by the AMX-40 until 1990.
  
−
In the meantime, the AMX-APX started a private project whose goal was to develop a new tank based on the AMX 30 to replace it until a French 3rd generation tank would be available. This tank was named AMX 32 and it's development started in 1975 with the first prototype being ready in 1977. The tank at this time featured a rebuilt AMX 30 hull with spaced high hardness RHA armor at the front of the hull as well as new FCS control system named COTAC introduced 2 years earlier on the AMX 10RC coupled to a new electrohydraulic turret powering unit called ATS GS 32, a fully rotating stabilized panoramicsight with a 2nd generation light intensifier at the disposal of the commander called M527 designed by the SFIM, a semi automatic gearbox ENC200 minerva with torque converter and a DI VT 13 2nd generation light intensifying camera. The new tank was also capable of firing on the move thanks to the M527 commander panoramic sights whose stabilized mirror gyroscopes were able to send inputs to the tank gun servos thus stabilizing it on both axis when the commander used it's priority controls over the turret.  
+
Despite the tank failing to attract customers, a lot of what was put into it was used to modernize the AMX-30 which would become the AMX-30B2 as well as in the EPC program, most notably in the FCS department.
  
−
The AMX-APX tried to sell this new tank to the French Army but the price was found to be prohibitive for what was thought to be replaced in less than 10 years... Therefore it was decided that the project should be solely dedicated to the export market. The French GIAT was not satisfied with the first version of the tank. if it had to attract foreign customers, this tank would not afford to be just a more expansive French Leopard 1A4 clone which already had a very good reputation and could be acquired for a fairly low price. It was decided that the AMX 32 had to become the best 2.5 generation MBT if it was to have a chance to be sold.
+
Retrospectively, the French Army made a mistake by not buying this tank at all as well as the AMX-40. The EPC program came much later than expected, leaving them with totally obsolete tanks in the late 80's, and it is possible that the refusal to adopt the tank domestically further harmed the little chance it had of appealing to foreign customers. That being said, this tank represents a real milestone in French tank development history.
−
 
 
−
Therefore the GIAT ordered that new improvements had to be made. especially in the protection and firepower department, that's why GIAT assigned the EFAB to the design of a larger, better protected turret capable of housing the soon to become CN 120-25 L/52 120 mm smoothbore cannon firstly intended for the EPC program. In less than 2 years the turret was ready as well as a new turret for the more basic 105 mm gun. These two turrets had similar layouts and protection levels  only the gun mantlet as well as the position of the night vision device were different and were both showcased at SATORY 1981, the 120 mm version was also proposed with a boosted HS 110-2-SR developping 800 HP in order to keep the HP/ton ratio around 20. Two versions of the tank attracted a lot of interest but ultimately, no orders were ever placed. Despite probably being the best modernized second generation tank of it's time, the niche market of modernized 2nd generation MBT was simply too tight for this tank to fit with modernized Leopard 1's and M60's monopolizing the said market. The GIAT tried once again with the AMX 40 this time being a fully new tank which was better protected and much more mobile rivaling M1's and Leopard 2's in mobility and firepower. However it encountered no more success than the AMX 32. The AMX 32 was proposed for the last time on the export market in 1985 before being replaced by the AMX 40 until 1990, the year it too won't be proposed any longer.
 
−
 
 
−
Despite the tank failing to attract customers, a lot of what was put into it was used to modernize the AMX 30 which would become the AMX 30B2 as well as in the EPC program most notably in the FCS department.
 
−
 
 
−
Retrospectively, French Army made a mistake by not buying this tank at all as well as the AMX 40. Not only the history showed that the EPC program came much later than expected and leaving french army with totally obsolete tanks in the late 80's but also that something that is not adopted even by the country where it was designed has very few chances to be bought by foreign customers. That being said this tank represents a real milestone in the French tank development history.
 
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==

Revision as of 12:16, 3 October 2020

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
AMX-32
fr_amx_32.png
AMX-32
France flag.png France
VI Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
9.3 9.3 9.3
Class:
Research:110 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:620 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage AMX-32.jpg


The AMX-32 is a rank VI French medium tank with a battle rating of 9.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury". An improved version of the AMX-30, it gets an upgraded gun, an upgraded engine, and spaced armour giving additional protection and advantages on the battlefield. There were several versions of the AMX-32 developed. This version represents the 1981 120 mm armed version with the retrofit of thermal imagery equipment which was proposed in 1985.

General info

Survivability and armour

The AMX-32 is protected by spaced armour on the lower glacis (50 mm RHA, 100 mm air, 79 mm RHA) and the mantlet (25mm RHA, 140 mm air, 35 mm RHA), respectively. An improved version of the AMX-30, the tank was built for mobility, not armour. The spaced armour will prevent some spalling of HEAT shells and will nullify any HESH shells. The upper glacis plate is sloped at 81 degrees, meaning almost all incoming rounds will ricochet, often into the turret and damaging the breech and even the turret crew. Overall, in terms of armour, the AMX-32 has enough armour to absorb at most 2-4 shots before being knocked out. The spaced armour is useful in countering HESH and some HEAT shells, but its armour should never be relied on or overestimated.

Additional note:

  • Belly armour is 25 mm thick
  • Side armour is 35 mm thick, with composite screens (25 mm) on the sides

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 73 73 40 1,240 1,526 31 38.15
Realistic 66 66 708 800 17.7 20

The AMX-32 is powered by a Hispano-Suiza HS-110-2-SR engine rated at 800hp @ 2500RPM, with a transmission providing seven forward gears and two reverse gears, similar to the transmission from the AMX-30. Like the AMX-30, the AMX-32's top speed is 65 km/h (40 mph) forward, but the AMX-32 goes 3.9 km/h (2.4 mph) faster in reverse thanks to its upgraded engine. The AMX-32 was designed with mobility in mind, and it does just that. It is slower than the AMX-40, but still holds its ground against more sluggish tanks, especially British and Russian vehicles at its BR. However, it should not be overestimated, as tanks such as the KPz-70 will outmatch your mobility anywhere. In an uptier, even more if not all tanks will outperform you in terms of mobility.

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: GIAT CN120-25 G1 (120 mm)

The AMX-32 is armed with the GIAT CN120-25 G1, the same 120 mm smoothbore gun found on the AMX-40. It also shares the same ammunition. The stock OCC 120 G1 is a HEAT warhead capable of penetrating 480 mm of non-angled RHA at any distance. At modification tier 4, the option to research the OFL 120 G1 becomes available. It is an APFSDS shell with 394 mm of penetration, giving plenty of kinetic power for its BR. The HEAT shell also holds its ground, and nearly always one-shots any vehicles that hull break, but be wary of your battle rating, as, at 9.3, up-tiers facing the top dogs at 10.3 are imminent. All tanks at that battle rating have excellent chemical protection, so side and gun breech shots may be your only option. The CN-120 is a great weapon for its BR, and its APFSDS can penetrate any tank in the game frontally if you have enough knowledge of weak spots and armour layout.

120 mm GIAT CN120-25 G1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 38 -8°/+20° ±180° Two-plane __.__ __.__ 40.0 __.__ __.__ 8.7 7.7 7.1 6.7
Realistic __.__ __.__ 21.3 __.__ __.__

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
OCC 120 G1 HEATFS 480 480 480 480 480 480
OFL 120 G1 APFSDS 394 393 388 382 376 370
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
Mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
OCC 120 G1 HEATFS 1,050 14.3 0.05 1 2,150 65° 72° 77°
OFL 120 G1 APFSDS 1,650 3.8 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the AMX-32
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
38 18 (+20) 1 (+37) No

Notes:

  • Recommended ammo load is 18 (+20) shells. This will leave the hull rack empty and the ready rack filled.
  • Rack 2 is a ready rack, and takes priority in being filled at the beginning of the battle. It is also emptied first.
  • Full reload speed will be realized as long as ammo exists in the ready rack. If the ready rack is empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
  • Simply not firing when the main gun is loaded will load ammo from rack 1 into rack 2 as long as there is ammo in rack 1. Firing the main gun will interrupt the reloading of the ready rack.

The CN120-25 G1 cannon fires single-piece ammunition from two stowages, the first order rack found in the rear of the turret, and the rack located in the hull front to the right of the driver. It takes the loader about 13 seconds to restock a round into the ready rack from the hull rack.

Optics and night vision

AMX-32 Optics
Type of optic Magnification Night Vision Devices
Image Intensifier Thermal Imager
Resolution 		Notes
Resolution Light Mult Noise Level
Gunner's Sight X8.9 - X10.1 - - - 500 x 300 Thermal imager unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
Commander's View X6 1600 x 1200 9.0 High Not Fitted Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)
Driver's View X1 800 x 600 5.0 High Not Fitted Image intensifier unlocked by "NVD" modification (tier 4)

Machine guns

Main articles: 20F2 (20 mm), A-A-F1N (7.62 mm)

The 20F2 (French designation of M693) automatic cannon is mounted in tandem with the CN-120 in the turret mantlet. Players who have played the AMX-30 (1972) in Rank V will already know the capabilities of this weapon. Similarly to the Rh202 cannon found on the MBT/KPz-70, it excels at quickly taking out not only light tanks and SPAA, but also cannon barrels, a vital ability that gives the AMX-32 the upper hand in one-on-one combat. If the enemy tank fires at you and hits or misses, you are able to overextend, destroy the cannon barrel with the 20 mm, and safely engage the tank with your 120 mm. Lightly armoured tanks, IFV's, and anti-aircraft vehicles will be quickly taken care of by the 20F2.

20 mm 20F2
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 480 (500) 740 0°/+20° N/A

The 7.62 mm AAN-F1 machine gun is mounted on the commander's fully traversable hatch. It is helpful in engaging helicopters which are too high for the 20 mm cannon's elevation limits. It is overshadowed by the 20F2, but is useful nonetheless, especially for taking out those pesky Balloons on the Normandy tank map.

7.62 mm A-A-F1N
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 2,170 (100) 900 -10°/+40° ±120°

Usage in battles

The AMX-32 plays similarly to the AMX-30 in battles. It can be played effectively in ambushes, as a sniper (with its rangefinder and thermal optics), and use cover to the utmost advantage. With the gun stabilizer, you are able to poke out of cover, shoot, and retreat. This is especially useful when sniping, and using "leapfrog" tactics with a friendly vehicle. In the latter case, when the enemy shoots, move out of cover and take a shot, and if you want, use your 20 mm cannon to destroy their cannon barrel. Do not rely on your armour though, as most if not all shots WILL penetrate and make quick work of you. Players must make sure that they either make the enemy shoot and miss or get the first shot off on said enemy. This applies only in one-on-one combat if both the enemy and the AMX-32 see each other. If more than one tank is waiting for you, either retreat and make them come to you, try baiting or flanking, or get a friend to help. On the other hand, being able to shoot and then remove their main means of retaliating via the autocannon proves extremely useful, especially in an ambush. All in all, the AMX-32 is a very capable tank that can quickly return several enemies to the hangar without receiving major damage, if played right.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive Laser rangefinder
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism OFL 120 G1 Smoke grenade
IV Transmission Engine ESS Artillery Support NVD

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great firepower and secondary armament
  • Excels with ambush tactics and can destroy tanks before they even know your position
  • Good mobility and reverse speed
  • The gun has a two-plane stabilizer, thermal optics, and a laser rangefinder

Cons:

  • Lacklustre armour protection, especially against kinetic shells
  • Longer reload than other tanks at its battle rating
  • The tank's mobility can and will be outmatched, especially in an up-tier

History

As soon as the AMX-30B entered service in 1966 it was clear that it would not be able to face the newly introduced Soviet T-64 tank and as a result would need to be replaced or dramatically improved over the course of its serviceable life. Therefore improvements had to be incorporated into the design to keep it competitive. Various development programs saw the light at the end of the 60's and all were ultimately meant to be incorporated into the AMX-30. These improvements had to improve the characteristics of the tank in the three main defining MBT traits: firepower, mobility, and armour, with the company GIAT being the project manager of all studies that were to be undertaken.

  • The EFAB (Etablissement de la fabrique d'arme de Bourges/Weapon manufacturing facility of Bourges) were to improve the firepower of the tank.
  • AMX-APX were to improve the armour of the tank.
  • Hispano-Suiza and SESM (today RENK France) company were to improve the mobility of the tank.
  • SFIM were to improve the optic/optronic suite of the tank.

In the meantime, AMX-APX started a private project whose goal was to develop a new tank based on the AMX-30 to replace it until a French 3rd generation tank would be available. This tank was named AMX-32 and its development started in 1975 with the first prototype being ready in 1977. The tank at this time featured a rebuilt AMX-30 hull with spaced high hardness RHA armour at the front of the hull as well as new FCS control system named COTAC introduced 2 years earlier on the AMX-10RC coupled to a new electrohydraulic turret powering unit called ATS GS 32, a fully rotating stabilized panoramicsight with a 2nd generation light intensifier at the disposal of the commander called M527 designed by the SFIM, a semi automatic gearbox ENC200 minerva with torque converter, and a DI VT 13 2nd generation light intensifying camera. The new tank was also capable of firing on the move thanks to the M527 commander panoramic sights whose stabilized mirror gyroscopes were able to send inputs to the tank gun servos thus stabilizing it on both axis when the commander used its priority controls over the turret.

AMX-APX tried to sell this new tank to the French Army but the price was found to be prohibitive for what was thought to be replaced in less than 10 years... Therefore it was decided that the project should be solely dedicated to the export market. GIAT was not satisfied with the first version of the tank. If it had to attract foreign customers, this tank could not afford to be just a more expensive French Leopard 1A4 clone which already had a very good reputation and could be acquired for a fairly low price. It was decided that the AMX-32 had to become the best 2.5 generation MBT if it was to have a chance to be sold.

Therefore GIAT ordered that new improvements had to be made, especially in the protection and firepower department, so they assigned the EFAB to the design of a larger, better protected turret capable of housing the soon to become CN120-25 L/52 120 mm smoothbore cannon originally intended for the EPC program (Engin Principal de Combat/Main Combat Vehicle program eventually resulting in the AMX Leclerc). In less than 2 years the turret was ready as well as a new turret for the more basic 105 mm gun. These two turrets had similar layouts and protection levels, only the gun mantlet as well as the position of the night vision device were different, and were both showcased at SATORY 1981, the 120 mm version was also proposed with a boosted HS 110-2-SR developping 800 HP in order to keep the HP/ton ratio around 20. The two versions of the tank attracted a lot of interest but ultimately, no orders were ever placed. Despite probably being the best modernized second generation tank of its time, the niche market of modernized 2nd generation MBT was simply too tight for this tank to fit with modernized Leopard 1's and M60's monopolizing said market. GIAT tried once again with the AMX-40, this time being a completely new tank which was better protected and much more mobile, rivaling M1's and Leopard 2's in mobility and firepower. However it encountered no more success than the AMX-32. The AMX-32 was proposed for the last time on the export market in 1985 before being replaced by the AMX-40 until 1990.

Despite the tank failing to attract customers, a lot of what was put into it was used to modernize the AMX-30 which would become the AMX-30B2 as well as in the EPC program, most notably in the FCS department.

Retrospectively, the French Army made a mistake by not buying this tank at all as well as the AMX-40. The EPC program came much later than expected, leaving them with totally obsolete tanks in the late 80's, and it is possible that the refusal to adopt the tank domestically further harmed the little chance it had of appealing to foreign customers. That being said, this tank represents a real milestone in French tank development history.

Media

The Shooting Range #210 - Metal Beasts section at 00:48 discusses the AMX-32.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


France medium tanks
M4 Derivatives  M4A1 (FL10) · M4A4 (SA50)
AMX-50  AMX M4 · AMX-50 (TOA100) · AMX-50 (TO90/930)
AMX-30  AMX-30 · AMX-30 (1972) · AMX-30B2 · AMX-30B2 BRENUS · AMX-30 ACRA · AMX-30 Super
AMX-32/40  AMX-32 · AMX-32 (105) · AMX-40
Leclerc  Leclerc · Leclerc S2 · Leclerc SXXI · Leclerc AZUR
Other  D2 · S.35 · Lorraine 40t
Germany  Panther "Dauphiné"
USA  ▄M4A1 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▄M4A4 · ▄M26

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