Retrospectively the AMX-30 is considered woefully under-armored and although the next AMX-32 and AMX-40 partially resolved the problem, it was still largely insufficient even by 1987-88 standards. The genesis of the Leclerc can be traced back in the early 1980s, when the AMX-32 was first unveiled, but the overall development for a replacement of the AMX-30 took much longer, already starting when the latter became operational. It must also be noted that the AMX 56 designation, while very popular with the media and many military-oriented websites, is not used in anyway officially. It was the fastest and most expensive tank in the world when entering service in 1991. The latter was in effect the product of an early cold war reflexion which emphasised mobility over protection, but the second solved this issue while maintaining in its development the cursor over mobility and firepower. These considerations does not diminish the technical achievement done by GIAT with the Leclerc, furthermore when compared to the previous AMX-30. However as we recall these grades are worthless until the tank is battle-tested against equivalents. The Leclerc is recognised by numerous world's defence experts as being certainly in the "top five" of today's best MBTs although its chances to stay so are now reduced due to its age and the arrival of recent and very serious contenders. Leclerc MBT (1990) Main Battle Tank - France.
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