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AMX VCI (Vehicule de Combat d-Infanterie)

1957 COLD WAR MODERN

History of the AMX VCI (Infantry Combat Vehicle)

The French-made AMX VCI (stands for "Vehicule de Combat d'Infanterie") infantry combat system was developed for the specific vehicle needs of the French Army after World War II. Based on the AMX-13 light tank, the VCI simplifies the production of the new car by using many existing components.

The VCI will start production in 1967 and will be the main infantry transport for the French Armed Forces.

Visually, the AMX VCI features five wheels on each side of the track. Dual hatches in the rear of the fuselage provide embarkation/disembarkation points for 10 passengers.

A special design element of the VCI in relation to passengers is the implementation of side gun fire ports, which protect the passengers but still allow them to fire in self-defense. Also, turret-mounted self-defense machine guns were a relatively new concept at the time of this particular type of vehicle. The profile is very low and the appearance is very functional.

Nonetheless, the platform maintains a long history of craftsmanship and has been the main infantry fighting vehicle of the French Army for many years, although its main disadvantage is the lack of any amphibious capability.

The beauty of systems like the VCI is the adaptability of the chassis to other battlefield roles, and the VCI is no exception. Variants include command post, armored battlefield ambulance, mortar transporter (two types), combat engineer and artillery fire control vehicle. A modernization program implemented in 1987 to help VCI maintain its capability on the modern battlefield includes a new and improved 280-horsepower engine. The AMX VCI was replaced by the more powerful AMX-10 armored personnel carrier.

Although no longer in service with the French Armed Forces, some of its former customers still use the system to some extent. About 3,400 copies are said to have been produced.