Ladder Backed Woodpecker

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For the similarly named Schützenpanzer 12-3, see Schützenpanzer Lang HS.30.

The Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz Armoured Infantry Fighting and reconnaissance vehicle was developed for the West German army and was a minor modification of a French-designed vehicle (Hotchkiss SP1A).[1] During the period between 1959 and 1967, the West German army received some 2,374 of these light armoured vehicles with the SPz 11-2 Kurz being developed as the reconnaissance version. The SPz 11-2 was replaced in the IFV role by the Marder and in the reconnaissance role by the Spähpanzer Luchs. The SPz 11-2 saw service with the West German army only.

Its designator "Schützenpanzer Halbgruppe" already hinted on its combat role as the Infantry Fighting Vehicle ("Schützenpanzer") of a Squad ("Halbgruppe", literally "half a section", or Trupp). It was introduced besides the Schützenpanzer lang HS-30.

Armament

The only armament for the SPz 11-2 was the 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 820 L/85 cannon. The cannon has a 15x15 periscopic sight. 500 rounds of 20 mm ammunition were carried. Three smoke grenade launchers are provided for tactical and emergency concealment.

Variants

Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz
  • Sanitätspanzer kurz 2-2 - Medevac vehicle.
  • Beobachtungspanzer 22-2 - Forward observer vehicle.
  • Mörserträger 51-2 - 81 mm mortar carrier.
  • Radarpanzer 91-2 - Vehicle equipped with AN/TPS-33 radar.
  • Nachschubpanzer 42-1 - Supply vehicle with four road wheels, originally the Hotchkiss CC-2-55 design. Used from 1958 until 1962.
  • Spähpanzer SP I.C. - Light tank armed with a 90 mm gun (prototype only)

Service

The SPz 11-2 was used from 1960 to 1974 by the cannon platoons of the Panzergrenadiers (armored infantry battalions) until 1974. It was used afterwards as a reconnaissance vehicle until 1982.[2] The vehicle was never exported to other countries.[3][4]

Operators

Former operators

References

  1. ^ Janes Armour and Artillery, 1981-82, p. 150.
  2. ^ Richter, Andreas. "SPz kurz, Hotchkiss (Bw)". www.panzerbaer.de. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  3. ^ "Schutzenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz Tracked Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV)". www.militaryfactory.com. 2019-03-22. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ^ Bocquelet, David. "Schutzenpanzer Kurz 11-2 (1958)". tank-afv.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.

Further reading

  • Foss, Christopher F., ed. (1981). Jane's Armour and Artillery 1981–82. London: Jane's Publishing Company. ISBN 0-7106-0727-X.
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