The AMX-13 is an early Cold War era light tank of French origin. It was developed in the late 1940's to equip the post-World War 2 French forces. The AMX-13 proved to be a highly mobile and effective light tank in combat. By the end of the Cold War the AMX-13 became obsolete due to age and the advent of highly capable anti-tank guided missiles that fill the role of highly mobile tank destroyers.

The AMX-13 uses a tracked chassis with the driver and engine located at the front and the fighting compartment at the rear. This chassis was later used in the AMX-VCI armored personnel carrier and AMX-105 and Mk F3 self-propelled howitzers. The AMX-13 uses a unique oscilating turret design. The cannon is mounted on a fixed cradle and the entire top half of the turret is hinged to proved elevation. Over time the AMX-13 design was upgraded with various turret types and other types of equipment.

The original AMX-13 was fitted with a 75mm high velocity cannon. Later a version with a turret with 90mm cannon became available. For export sales a 105mm cannon was fitted. The gun is equipped with a bustle mounted automatic loader that results in a high rate of fire. A 7.5mm AAT-52 machine gun is fitted as coaxial weapon and another can be fitted as a flexible weapon on the turret roof. For export sales these were often replaced by the 7.62mm AAT-NF1 or MAG machine guns. Some tanks in French service were fitted with SS-11 anti-tank missiles in order to improve effectiveness against newer tanks.

The steel armor provides protection against small arms fire and shrapnell all around. Over the frontal arc heavy machine gun fire is resisted. Smoke grenade launchers are fitted as standard. An NBC system is optional, but not present on most AMX-13 models.

The tracked chassis, limited weight and high power to weight ratio result in a good all terrain mobility. A 250 hp petrol engine provides propulsion, allowing for a maximum speed of 60 km/h. The AMX-13 is not amphibious.

The primary user of the AMX-13 and its derivatives was the French army. The AMX-13 was exported in large numbers. The AMX-13 proved effective in combat with Israeli forces. In most armies the AMX-13 has been replaced, but significant numbers remain in service today.