Country of origin France Entered service - Crew 4 men Dimensions and weight Weight 28 - 34 t Length (gun forward) ? Hull length ? Width 3 m Height ? Armament Main gun 105 mm rifled Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm Elevation range - 6 to + 15 degrees Traverse range 360 degrees Ammunition load Main gun 35 rounds Machine guns ? Mobility Engine Saab Scania diesel Engine power ? Maximum road speed 120 km/h Range over 800 km Maneuverability Gradient 70% Side slope 40% Vertical step 1 m Trench 2 m Fording ~ 1.2 m The Vextra 105 mm tank destroyer was developed as a private venture by GIAT Industries (now Nexter). Its development commenced in the early 1990s. This armored vehicle was aimed at the French Army and export customers. It is also referred as an armored reconnaissance or fire support vehicle. Vextra was designed to operate alongside the main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. It is capable of anti-tank combat. A demonstrator was revealed in 1997. It is based on the Vextra IFV. A prototype of this armored vehicle completed a successful series of trials in France and extensive series of firepower and mobility trials in the United Arab Emirates. However this tank destroyer received no production orders, despite its superior performance. Vehicle has a welded aluminum armor hull, fitted with additional layer of passive armor. It is worth mentioning that aluminum armor was used on the French AMX-10P IFV, which entered service in the early 1970s. Total combat weight is 28-34 t, depending on the level of ballistic protection. Baseline armor provides protection against 14.5 mm heavy machine guns fire and artillery shell splinter. Add-on modular or reactive armor panels protect against medium caliber projectiles and RPGs. The Vextra tank destroyer is fitted with a GIAT Industries TLM 105 three-man turret, armed with a 105 mm GIAT G2 low recoil rifled gun. This turret is an improved version of the TK 105, fitted on the AMX-10RC. Its G2 gun is compatible with standard NATO 105 mm ammunition, including APFSDS rounds. The TLM 105 turret has been developed in two versions. The first version is armed with an a non-stabilized gun. The latest version has a fully-stabilized gun, which gives it fire-on the move capability and enables to engage stationary and moving targets with a high first round hit probability. A total of 35 rounds are carried inside the vehicle, 12 of them are stowed inside the turret and are ready to use. Secondary armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. There was an option for another roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. The gunner's station is fitted with a stabilized sight, similar to that used on the Leclerc main battle tank. Sensors include a thermal imager, laser rangefinder coupled with a digital fire control computer, which is used for ballistic calculations. Vextra is fitted with a battlefield management system, developed by GIAT. It is a version of a similar system, installed on the Leclerc main battle tank. It includes a color map display, which shows the positions of allied and hostile forces, as well as position of the host vehicle. Functions of this system include digital mapping, positioning, navigation, tactical situation reports and logistic reports. This armored vehicle has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. Crew enter and leave the vehicle via roof hatches. There is a power-operated ramp with integral door at the rear of the hull. The rear area could be configured to carry ammunition or troops. The Vextra 105 mm tank destroyer is based on the same 8x8 wheeled chassis as the infantry fighting vehicle. It is powered by a Saab Scania diesel engine, which is located at the front of the hull, from the right-hand side. Vehicle has a full-time all wheel drive and a hydropneumatic suspension system. It is fitted with a Syegon variable tyre pressure system and run-flat device. The Vextra tank destroyer is equipped with a wide dimension tyres of new generation. It can travel up to 50 km/h on sandy terrain and up to 120 km/h on hard surface roads. Its wheeled chassis enables it to keep up with main battle tanks. The Vextra has superior cross-country performance to many other wheeled fighting vehicles. It is capable of negotiating various terrain obstacles at high speeds. This tank destroyer demonstrated high tactical and strategic mobility during trials, carried out in the UAE. Some sources report, that United Arab Emirates initiated development of the Vextra, fitted with a complete turret of the Russian BMP-3 IFV. Can't find what you're looking for?