Armoured personnel carrier

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Czechoslovak and Polish OT-64 SKOT

The genesis of the armoured personnel carrier was on the Western Front of World War I. In the later stage of the war, Allied tanks could break through enemy lines, but the infantry following — who were needed to consolidate the gains — still faced small arms and artillery fire. Without infantry support, the tanks were isolated and more easily destroyed. In response, the British experimented with carrying machine-gun crews in the Mark V* tank, but it was found that the conditions inside the tanks rendered the men unfit for combat. Britain therefore designed the first purpose built armoured troop transport, the Mark IX, but the war ended before it could be put to use.

During World War II, half-tracks like the American M3 and German SdKfz 251 played a role similar to post-war APCs. British Commonwealth forces relied on the full-tracked Universal Carrier. Over the course of the war, APCs evolved from simple armoured cars with transport capacity, to purpose built vehicles. Obsolete armoured vehicles were also repurposed as APCs, such as the various "Kangaroos" converted from M7 Priest self-propelled guns and from Churchill, M3 Stuart and Ram tanks.

During the Cold War, more specialized APCs were developed. The United States introduced a series of them, including successors to the wartime Landing Vehicle Tracked; but the most prolific was the M113 armored personnel carrier, of which 80,000 were produced. Western nations have since retired most M113s, replacing them with newer APCs, many of these wheeled. The Soviet Union produced the BTR-40, BTR-152, BTR-60, BTR-70, BTR-80 in large numbers. The BTR-60 and BTR-80 remain in production. Czechoslovakia and Poland together developed the universal amphibious OT-64 SKOT. A cold war example of a "Kangaroo" is the heavily armoured Israeli Achzarit, converted from captured T-55s tanks.



Weight can vary from 6 to 40 tons or more, but 9 to 20 tons is typical. Most have a capacity of between 8 and 12 dismountable troops, although some can carry more than 20. In addition, it has a crew of at least one driver, many with a gunner and/or commander as well.

Namer APC is the most heavily armoured vehicle in the world according to the IDF.[2]



Tracked vehicles have more traction off-road and more maneuverability, including a minute turn radius. Due to the limited service life of their treads, plus the wear they cause on roads,[3] tracked vehicles are typically transported over long distances by rail, flatbed trucks or purpose built transporters.

Wheeled APCs are faster on road, can cross long distances, and are less expensive to develop, produce, and maintain. However, wheeled vehicles have higher ground pressure than tracked vehicles with a comparable weight, due to tracks having more surface area in contact with the ground. The higher ground pressure increases the likelihood of becoming immobilized by soft terrains such as mud, snow or sand.[3]

Many APCs are amphibious. Their tracks can propel the APC in the water. Wheeled APCs will include propellers or water jets. Preparation for amphibious operations usually comprises checking the integrity of the hull and folding down a trim vane in front. Water traverse speed varies greatly between vehicles. The maximum swim speed of the M113 is 3.8 mph (6.1 km/h), whereas the LAV-25 and AAVP-7 about double that at 6.5 and 8.2 mph (10.5 and 13.2 km/h), respectively.


LVTP-5 amphibious armoured fighting vehicles, 1966





An APC carries a primary weapon no larger than a 20 mm autocannon, before falling into the "infantry fighting vehicle" sub-classification, and will most likely be outfitted with one or more machine guns ranging from 5.56 mm to 7.62 mm. The primary weapon is usually on the top of the vehicle, mounted with either a simple pintle mount, in a small turret, or a remote weapon system.


A common primary gun on an APC is a 50 calibre M2 Browning machine gun, or the equivalent 14.5mm KPV heavy machine gun. The Stryker carries an M2 on a CROWS RWS. 7.62 mm machine guns are commonly used as coaxial or secondary weapons. Several Eastern personnel carriers have forward-facing machine guns, or firing ports in the crew compartment. The AAVP7 mounts an M2 50 calibre as a coaxial machine gun, beside a Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher. Occasionally APCs will be equipped with anti-tank missiles.

Medical use[edit]

French medical VAB dsc06842


According to article 19 of the Geneva Conventions,[4] "mobile medical units of the Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked, but at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict". Although article 22 allows them to carry defensive weaponry, they are typically unarmed. Under Article 39, the emblem of the medical service "shall be displayed ... on all equipment employed in the Medical Service." As such, armoured ambulances will be marked with ICRC recognized symbols.


Infantry fighting vehicle[edit]


Not all infantry fighting vehicles are equivalent. The primary mechanized infantry vehicle of the Canadian Armed Forces, the lightly armoured LAV-III, is classified as an IFV because it is equipped with a M242 Bushmaster autocannon. The US Army's heavily armoured M2 Bradley carries the same autocannon, plus anti-tank missiles and advanced optics, to serve in armoured divisions alongside M1 Abrams main battle tanks.

Infantry mobility vehicle[edit]

The Bundeswehr ATF Dingo (on a Unimog chassis) is an IMV used by several European armed forces.




See also[edit]


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