Dominican II.

This is coolbert:

Tank versus tank Dominican Style. Conclusion.

American combat elements during the Dominican Crisis [1965] and having to battle tanks of the Dominican military.

Thanks again to the War is Boring Internet web site.

"In 1965, U.S. and Dominican Tanks Fought Brief, Violent Skirmishes"

"Rebel tanks were no match for America’s fighting vehicles"

"No match" but the army of the now-deceased dictator Trujillo having an inventory of armor that could be ignored by any invading force however powerful.

"This included 12 French AMX-13 light tanks — fast moving, with decent firepower but thin armor — as well as 24 Stridsvagn L-60 light tanks, and 13 Landsverk Lynx armored cars — both vehicles types made in Sweden."

French post-WW2 AMX-13 tank of some pretty good capability. Rough analogous to the American Sherman or Soviet T-34 tank but less well armored. Correctly thought of as being a light tank.

Swedish L-60 tank of the era prior to WW2. A light tank with a 37 mm gun so popular during that era. Roughly equivalent to the American Stuart tank.

More important to the point is that the various Dominican armor maintained in the arsenal and improved upon, refurbished, refitted, modernized for the L-60 and AMX-13 both.

First regarding the Swedish L-60 tank:

"After 'Power Pack' ended, the United States assisted the Dominican Republic in rebuilding its army and twelve of the original twenty L/60Ls were again refurbished and restored to service. These dozen continued in frontline use until 2002. Today one is preserved in excellent, drivable condition as a historical icon by the Dominican Republic army."

Then  with regard to the French AMX-13 tank:

Modernisation packages [for the AMX-13] to include:

    * "Cockerill 90 mm Regunning Packaging: 90 mm upgunning package"
    * "Giat Industries upgrade with a Baudouin 6F 11 SRY diesel engine and an upgraded turret"
   *  "Giat Industries Add-on Armour package installed on turret front/sides and glacis plate"
    * "NIMDA Upgrade Package: Israeli retrofit package"
    * "INDRA Amazon Fire Control System upgrade with thermal imaging and a laser rangefinder"

See a listing of "Current operators" for the AMX-13 tank most of presumably have those modernization packages.

EVEN DECADES LATER THE AMX-13 STILL GOING STRONG!

coolbert.