Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz

The Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz armored 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 served in cannon platoons of armored infantry battalions until 1974 and remained in service as a reconnaissance vehicle until 1982.[2] The SPz 11-2 was replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Spähpanzer Luchs. The SPz 11-2 saw service with the West German army only.

Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz
Schützenpanzer Kurz at the German Tank Museum in Munster.
TypeArmored Reconnaissance Vehicle
Place of originFrance and West Germany
Service history
In service1959–1987
Production history
DesignerHotchkiss et Cie
Designed1950–1956
Produced1959–1967
Specifications
Mass8,200 kg (18,100 lb)
Length4.51 m
Width2.28 m
Height1.97 m
Crew5
Armor15 mm at 62° of chrome-nickel-molybdenum
Main
armament
1 x 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 820/L85 Cannon
Secondary
armament
3 x Smoke grenade launchers
Engine1 x Hotchkiss et Cie 6-cylinder petrol engine
164 hp (122 kW)
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
390 km (244 miles)
Maximum speed 58 km/h

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
  • 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

Operators

Former operators

Notes
  1. Janes Armour and Artillery, 1981-82, p. 150.
  2. SPz 11-2. Panzerbaer
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