Danish M-113 APC-Type Modifications and Variants

     Notes: Denmark has been using the M-113 since the early 1970s, in large numbers (compared to their relatively small military forces) and in over a dozen versions.  APC-type variants range from simple variants with add-on armor (including some 50 with Israeli-type ERA) or appliqué, to the M-92 Wildcat (also called the M-113A2 DK I), which is similar in concept and appearance to the Twilight 2000 M-115 variant of the M-113A2.  Denmark plans to modify all of their APC-type M-113 versions to the M-113 G3 DK and some M-92 Wildcat versions, as they plan to acquire heavier IFVs (most likely, the Swedish CV-9040 or its Norwegian counterpart, the CV-9030).  Though some “plain vanilla” M-113s and M-113A1s are still in service, most of their fleet has been upgraded in some way or another.

Versions with Appliqué Armor and other Minor Upgrades

     The primary version of the M-113 that has appliqué armor uses Israeli-designed appliqué armor which has a ribbed appearance on the sides and flat appliqué shielding on the front, as well as a slight thickening of the belly armor (the Urdan package).  The commander’s cupola borrows from the US ACAV-type designs from Vietnam, with all-around gun shields of AV2.  The headlights have been given more protection, and a folding rear-view mirror is attached in front of the driver’s position to allow him to back the vehicle without a ground guide.  Some also have bars to cut low-hanging wires that might otherwise take a driver’s or commander’s head off as the vehicle speeds along.  In another trick borrowed from the US, most Danish M-113s have commo wire strung along the front and sides of their vehicles (in a triangular pattern) to allow quick addition of camouflage. Unlike the US, most Danish M-113s normally have their swimming side skirts attached, and some of them have the rubber skirts replaced with aluminum skirts which are tougher than their rubber counterparts. Most of the M-113s and M-113A1s are also upgraded to M-113A2 automotive standards; some have had their fuel tanks moved to the rear of the vehicle, like those of the M-113A3.  Much of these vehicles are slated for further upgrade to the M-113 G3 DK standard (below).

M-92 “Wildcat”

     The M-92 is a version of the M-113A2 similar in concept to the M-115, but with a smaller turret and some other modifications.  The nickname “Wildcat” was adopted early in the testing phases of the M-92, but officially dropped later in testing; however, troops sometimes still call it the Wildcat (or rather, it’s Danish equivalent).  A more common nickname among the troops is the maskinkanin (machine rabbit), due to its similarity to the word mashinkanon (machine cannon, or autocannon; soldiers are experts at puns). The M-92 is the only version of the M-113 that has been completely built and modified in Denmark; the Danes have a license to build the M-113A2 because of the heavy modifications they intended to carry out to produce the M-92.  E. Falck Schmidt A/S, which produced Denmark’s version of the M-41 light tank (the M-41DK I) is the company that produced the M-92.  The first versions, the M-92A1, were produced in the early 1908s; the modifications to the M-92A1 that produced the M-92A2 began in the early 1990s.

     The M-92A1 is more based on the M-113A2, but other than the turret, the most readily-identifiable feature is the rear-mounted fuel tanks.  The trim vane is a bit thicker, to help stabilize the now top-heavy vehicle during amphibious operations.  The M-92 still carries a small squad of troops, but the hatch on the rear deck is much smaller due to the turret.  The rear face hatch and door remain the same, as does the driver’s station.  Three troops sit on each side, with the seventh (normally the squad leader) being to the rear of the turret and facing to the rear. They have access to a collective NBC system. The turret is a two-man model (just barely – it is a bit on the small side.  The turret ring is reinforced to help protect against the unavoidable shot trap.  It has a commander’s hatch, but the gunner uses the commander’s hatch or the rear hatch for entry and exit.  Ammunition is primarily stored in the large turret bustle.  The turret of the M-92A1 has a good day/night vision suite.  (The turret is, in fact, the Italian Otobreda T-25 turret.) Armament consists of a 25mm autocannon and a coaxial machinegun; no provision is made for a commander’s machinegun.  On each side of the turret are four smoke grenade launchers.

     The M-92A2 began as a temporary upgrade to the M-92A1 for use in the former Yugoslavia during Denmark’s IFOR and SFOR commitments.  The engine is an improved turbocharged 300-horsepower MTU diesel engine; this gave the M-92A1 the power necessary for the other planned modifications to be carried out.  The primary modification in mind was Urdan-type appliqué armor, but the night vision suite was also modified to give the commander and gunner thermal imagers.  The suspension was also beefed up considerably, and an improved heater as well as an air conditioner was added. A laser rangefinder was added to the fire control computer.  The controls are similar to the US M-113A3, with a conventional steering yoke, a brake pedal, and a gas pedal.

The M-113 G3 DK

     As the M-113-based APC fleet passes into less and less use with the acquisition of more advanced APCs and IFVs, the M-113-based APC is no longer required to perform a semi-IFV role like the M-92.  However, the M-113-based APC will still perform a role in Danish armed forces, and most of them will eventually be a version called the M-113 G3 DK.  This is essentially Denmark’s version of the M-113A3; it is equipped with rear-mounted fuel tanks and a 300-horsepower engine and matching drive train.  The driver’s station are also modified with a fully automatic transmission, steering yoke, brake pedal, and gas pedal.  The suspension itself is improved to smooth out the ride, and the steering, accelerator, and braking system are much more responsive, primarily for driving in the tight quarters of many European towns and traffic.  Likewise, noise and exhaust systems are modified to conform to EURO 2 standards.  The M-113 G3 DK is also up-armored with the Urdan appliqué armor kit mentioned above.  The vehicle has a collective NBC system. The commander’s station has a turret with night vision.  This version will, with small amounts of the M-92A2, form most of the Danish M-113 APC fleet in the coming years; most M-113s will in fact be specialist vehicles rather than APCs.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Some 50 M-92s were ready for the Twilight War; only 5 of these were M-92A2s.  Few others were made after the beginning of the Twilight War, though there were several modifications of M-92A1s into M-92A2s.  Likewise, most “plain vanilla” M-113s were converted into M-113 DKs.  The M-113 G3 DK does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

*Belly and top armor are 3.