- Joined
- Nov 24, 2008
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amx10 was a mistake, I think only 1-2 batch of 42 trained in them. suppose to be good in water crossing, right?
I don't consider it a mistake. Unless something was wrong with it that I am not aware of. It was fully amphibious, and in the SAF offensive policy at that time, I guess it was needed. But now there are so much bridging equipment in the SAF, i guess all armour is crossing dry instead of swimming for it. I think at one time, they consider it a replacement for the AMX-13. They bought one battalion to try but it was not a significant improvement on the AMX-13 and it had to be ordered new which cost more then the -13. I guess at that time, it was more cost effective to upgrade the AMX-13 to SM1 standard then it was to buy more -10s. The only mistake was there was a cheaper alternative at that time.
With the retirement of the -13 and -10, the problem is now there is no direct tank support for infantry battalions. The Bionix are used in the AI role, and Terrex are used for the Guards units. But non of them have tank guns anyway. But the normal SIRs are not going to get any direct large calibre fire support from a mobile armour vehicle. I think this is the mistake. The Leo 2 is too big to follow the infantry every where.