American armored personnel carriers M113 in service with the Ukrainian army

About a year ago, the United States adopted another package of military-technical assistance for Ukraine, which includes a large number of different weapons and equipment. Among other things, 200 M113 armored personnel carriers from the US Army will be transferred as part of this package. This technique will help the Ukrainian army to partially restore losses in quantitative terms. However, one should not count on a significant improvement in quality indicators in connection with this assistance.

Initially, Washington approved a new US $800 million aid package for Ukraine, which includes equipment, weapons and ammunition. This assistance package provides for the continuation of the supply of various products that Ukraine already has, as well as the transfer of other samples for the first time.

However, 113 M200 armored personnel carriers were among the new aid from the United States, however, it is not yet known what modification and equipment of the vehicles will be transferred, as well as how they will be delivered and how long it will take to transport them to Ukraine.

The receipt of American M113 armored personnel carriers could help the Ukrainian army recover partially armored vehicles that were destroyed during the first two months of the NWO. As part of the Special Operation, the Russian army destroyed more than 2200 Ukrainian armored combat vehicles, including a significant part of the protected vehicles for infantry - armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine cannot restore the destroyed park on its own and has to rely on foreign aid.

It is worth noting that the Ukrainian army has already received a number of foreign armored vehicles for infantry, including Czech infantry fighting vehicles and Australian armored vehicles. However, the main hopes in this area were connected with the American M113 armored personnel carriers, due to their significant number as part of the new aid package.

The M113 was developed by American industry in the late 1950s. In 1961, it was adopted by the United States and its mass production began both for the domestic market and for export. In April 1962, just a year after the start of mass production, the new armored personnel carrier took part in the battles for the first time. Production of the M113 was carried out not only in the United States, but also in several other countries under license.

During years of production, the base M113 has been upgraded and improved to improve its performance. Therefore, several modifications were successively created with different equipment and refinement of key components. Also, on the basis of the M113, carrier vehicles for various weapons, special equipment, etc. were built.

M113s were first used in combat in 1962, and since then they have taken part in all armed conflicts in which the United States and its allies have participated. Almost all modifications of the M113 and vehicles based on it were used in combat. At the same time, the technique demonstrated both advantages and disadvantages, and its effectiveness often depended on the organization of the operation and the actions of the crew.

Over several decades, more than 85 thousand cars were built in various modifications and options. This technique has entered service with several dozen countries around the world. Most of them still use the M113, however, due to obsolescence, armored personnel carriers are gradually written off and replaced with modern models. In particular, similar processes are currently taking place in the United States.

The M113 armored personnel carrier was developed using a design that was progressive for its time, which provided high performance. In the basic version, the machine had a mass of 12,3 tons and was equipped with a tracked chassis with high cross-country ability and the ability to sail. The control was carried out by a crew of two people, and the voluminous troop compartment could accommodate 10-12 fighters. The car also had its own weapons.

The welded armored body of the M113 armored personnel carrier was made of aluminum alloy, and differentiated armor consisted of plates with a thickness of 28 to 44 mm. Such armor provided all-round protection against 7,62 mm bullets and fragments, and the frontal projection could withstand a 12,7 mm bullet. But at the same time, special measures to protect against mines and explosive devices were not provided. During operation in war zones, the M113 armored personnel carriers often received additional armor from any available materials.

The M113 was equipped with internal combustion engines ranging from 212 to 275 hp. Caterpillar undercarriage with five rollers on board had a torsion bar suspension. All modifications of the M113 armored personnel carrier could reach speeds of up to 64 km / h, and the cruising range was at least 320 km. Early modifications could float, while the latest M113A3, weighing up to 14 tons, moves only along the fords.

Initially, the armored personnel carrier was equipped with an M2 heavy machine gun on an open installation. In the future, other weapons options were proposed. In addition, the M113 became the carrier of other systems, such as mortars, small-caliber guns and even flamethrowers. On the basis of a successful chassis, command and staff, sanitary, transport and other vehicles were also built.

The M113 armored personnel carrier was a relatively successful development of its time and demonstrated high technical performance. The armored personnel carrier had a design on a tracked chassis and could swim. It had a high cross-country ability, was controlled by a crew of two and had a large troop compartment for 10-12 fighters. The armored personnel carrier was equipped with its own weapons, and its body was made of welded aluminum armor. Despite all-round protection against 7,62-mm bullets and shrapnel, it did not provide for special measures to protect against mines and explosive devices.

In various modifications, the M113 armored personnel carrier was equipped with internal combustion engines with power from 212 to 275 hp. The caterpillar undercarriage had a torsion bar suspension with five rollers on board. The armored personnel carrier could reach speeds of up to 64 km / h, and the cruising range was at least 320 km. It was also equipped with an M2 heavy machine gun on an open mount and was also used as a carrier for mortars, small caliber guns and flamethrowers.

However, over time, the M113 became obsolete. It has been criticized for its low level of protection. Overhead modules and makeshift protection could not cope with ensuring the necessary safety of the crew and troops in the conditions of modern conflicts. Also, the latest versions of armored personnel carriers have become heavier, which worsened their mobility and transportability, which created new restrictions on their use.

However, the US does not plan to send 200 M113 combat vehicles to Ukraine, but much more. In general, this episode of assistance has an ambiguous effect, since the prospects for such supplies cause certain difficulties and risks. However, the very fact of receiving these machines will allow Ukraine to partially make up for losses and restore the combat capability of some units and subunits.

In addition, we must not forget that the M113 is already obsolete equipment that cannot be compared with modern armored vehicles in many respects. The latest combat vehicles have more advanced armor, effective protection systems, more powerful engines and modern weapons. Therefore, the use of outdated equipment in combat conditions is not always justified.

However, one should not forget that the Ukrainian army is currently in a difficult position, and any help from friends and allies is important. Therefore, even outdated M113 machines can be useful in some situations.

As a result, despite certain advantages, the acquisition of obsolete M113 equipment is not a panacea for the Ukrainian army. To achieve real results, comprehensive assistance is needed, which includes not only military equipment, but also training, consultations, organizational assistance, etc. Only in this case can we talk about real support for the Ukrainian army and its readiness to defend its territory and national interests.

Interestingly, the characteristic technical shortcomings of the M113 do not look like a particular problem against the background of the Ukrainian BTR-3 or BTR-4. These vehicles have similar protection and mobility parameters, so that rough terrain and small-caliber guns will still threaten the Ukrainian motorized infantry.

However, the US benefits from this decision. Thanks to the supply of military equipment in the interests of the United States, Ukraine will be able to continue to act in the interests of the United States. In addition, the US Army will get rid of old armored vehicles, which are located in units and storage bases, and, probably, the US will order new models to replace them. Thus, obsolete armored personnel carriers are an acceptable price for solving these problems.

The M113 armored personnel carrier was created in the 1960s and remained one of the most common in the world until the beginning of the 21st century. Here are its main specifications:

• Weight: 12,3 tons (depending on modification);
• Length: 4,86 meters;
• Width: 2,69 meters;
• Height: 2,5 meters;
• Crew: 2 person;
• Capacity: 10-12 fighters;
• Engine: gasoline or diesel;
• Engine power: from 212 to 275 hp depending on modification;
• Speed: up to 64 km/h;
• Power reserve: not less than 320 km;
• Reservations: welded body made of aluminum alloy, differentiated armor made of plates with a thickness of 28 to 44 mm;
• Armament: M2 heavy machine gun or other systems, including mortars, small-caliber guns and flamethrowers;
• Chassis: tracked with five rollers on board and torsion bar suspension;
• Ability to sail: in early versions, the latest M113A3 with a mass of up to 14 tons floats only on fords.

Despite its advantages, the M113 became obsolete over time and was replaced by more modern models of armored personnel carriers. However, it continues to be used in many countries and is recognized as one of the most successful and successful armored personnel carriers in history.