Design work on the AMX-13 light tank began in 1946 at the Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux and the first prototype was completed two years later. Production was undertaken at the Atelier de Construction Roanne (ARE) from 1952, with the first production tanks completed the following year. At one time production of the tank was running at 45 units per month but in the early 1960s production of the whole family was transferred to the civilian company of Creusot-Loire at Chalon sur Saone as the ARE was tooling up for production of the AMX-30 MBT. The basic chassis has been used for a wide range of vehicles including self-propelled guns and anti-aircraft systems.
Without changing the basic design, many improvements were announced at the 1985 Satory Exhibition of Military Equipment. These included a new power pack consisting of a diesel engine coupled to a fully automatic transmission and the replacement of the torsion bar suspension by a new hydropneumatic suspension for improved cross-country mobility.
The armoured vehicle division of Mecanique Creusot-Loire is now part of Giat Industries and is responsible for after sales support for all members of the AMX-13 family of light armoured vehicles, as well as for the provision of upgrade packages. The AMX-13 is no longer being marketed by Giat Industries. It is estimated that total production of the AMX-13 family of light tracked vehicles, including the light tank, amounted to 7,700 units, of which around 3,400 were exported. The AMX-13 light tank was phased out of service with the French Army many years ago.
