AMX-30D

The AMX-30D is an armored recovery vehicle (ARV) based on the chassis of the AMX-30 main battle tank, designed to recover damaged or stuck vehicles on the battlefield. It is equipped with a powerful winch, a crane, and a dozer blade for obstacle removal and anchoring.

Developed in the late 1960s by Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux, the AMX-30D was created to provide the French Army with a dedicated support platform capable of keeping pace with rapid armored maneuvers. The vehicle officially entered service in 1973, quickly becoming the standard recovery vehicle for French mechanized regiments. It saw its most notable combat deployment during the 1991 Gulf War under Operation Daguet, where it maintained high operational readiness for coalition forces in harsh desert environments. Although largely phased out of active French service in favor of the Leclerc-based DNG, the AMX-30D remains in service with several export nations, including Saudi Arabia and Cyprus.