An Cosantóir

8| by Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald Photos Armn Jason Byrne (105 Sqn) T he Defence Forces' Panhard fleet of AML 90s and AML 20s have now reached the end of their operational life as they have been replaced by the latest AFV investment in the Cavalry Corps, the MOWAG Piranha Mk III, with two variants the close-reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) and the medium reconnaissance vehicle (MRV), both of which entered service in 2008. To mark this occasion the Cavalry Corps held the last Panhard AML 90 shoot on April 29th/30th in the Glen of Imaal. The Panhard AML is a light armoured car with a 4x4 drive system and armed originally with either a 90mm quickfiring, low-pressure gun (AML 90) or a 60mm breech-loading mortar (AML 60). In the Defence Forces the AML 60 armament was replaced with a 20mm cannon (AML 20) in recent years. An upgrade programme in the 1990s, which included dieselisation and returreting, extended the operational life of the vehicles. The AML's ancestor, the Panhard-Genty armoured car, was produced in 1904 for the French Army. Panhard started production of the AML in 1960, and since then over 4,000 vehicles have been made. In the intervening decades Panhards have been involved in military operations around the world. The Lebanese Armed Forces bought 50+ AML 90s in the early 1970s and these vehicles saw action throughout the various conflicts that occurred Lebanon from 1975 to 1990. Also, the Argentinean Army deployed 12 AML 90s during the Falklands War in 1982. Panhard armoured vehicles were first introduced into service with the Defence Forces in 1964 and, soon after, the AML 60 saw overseas service with our troops serving in Cyprus with UNFICYP. Since then the Panhard armoured fleet has provided dedicated service to the Defence Forces at home and overseas. Memorable incidents involving the Panhard include firing in action in the Battle of At Tiri in Lebanon (1980), providing a quick reaction force (QRF) to assist injured civilians during the 'Grapes of Wrath' offensive in Lebanon (1996) and being used in an armoured reconnaissance role in Monrovia, Liberia when intensive rioting began (2004). Now the Defence Forces fleet of Panhards has finally reached the end of the road and all of the vehicles were withdrawn from service on May 1st, the day after their final shoot. An Cosantóir June 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie Panhard AML 90/20 Specifications Dimensions Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Track: Ground clearance: Mechanical Characteristics Engine: Bore stroke: Displacement: Maximum engine governed speed: Power: Compression ratio: Clutch: Gear box: 5.110m 1.970m 2.070m (without antenna) 2.500m 1.620m 0.330m 4 cylinder 4HD 85x88 1.997 L 4,700 tr/min 90 CV 7.25-1 no clutch pedal (centrifugal type with electro-magnetic automatic control) selective sliding gear AML 90 in Lebanon late 80s or early 90s, courtesy of Military Archives (MA_003_109)

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