Spz-63

     Notes: Until the advent of the CV-9030CH, the primary APC of the Swiss Army was the Schutzenpanzer (Spz) 61, which is their designation for the M-113A1.  The Swiss Army still employs a good number of these vehicles, as CV-9030CH acquisition has not been as rapid as hoped, and the numbers to be eventually acquired will not be enough to fully supplant the Spz-63 series.  The basic Spz-61 is essentially identical to the M-113A1, though some sport some additional appliqué armor. The front appliqué is a simple steel plate, while the side appliqué is ribbed steel plates providing the equivalent of spaced armor. The stats of the basic M-113A1 will be reproduced below for convenience.  In addition to some other APC versions of the Spz-63/M-113A1, the Swiss use several specialist versions of the Spz-63.  Swiss Spz-63s typically have banks of three smoke grenade launchers above the headlight frames on the front of the hull.

     One of the first variants of the Spz-63 produced was the Spz-63/79.  This version is similar to the Spz-63 externally, but instead of the standard commander’s station, the Spz-63/79 is equipped with the same turret as found on the Swedish Pbv-302.  This turret is armed with a 20mm HS-804 autocannon; the turret has a (rather small) hatch atop it.  (In Swiss service, the autocannon is designated the Kan 48/73.) The Swiss Army uses the HS-804 in the same manner as later versions the way it is used in Swedish use -- fed from 30-round magazines (usually firing multipurpose ammunition) that could be changed quickly.  The gunner has no night vision devices, but does have an x8 magnification sight which can be used against ground and also has a separate channel for aerial targets.  The frontal trim vane is modified for additional flotation capability, allowing the Spz-63/79 to retain its amphibious capability.  Some have appliqué armor applied. In 1989, a further upgrade of the Spz-63/79 was made, the Spz-63/89; this version is equipped with the RISE power pack, the drive train of the M-113A2, fuel tanks moved to the rear of the vehicle, as well as standard appliqué armor.

     The Swiss use two command versions of the Spz-63.  The Kpz-63 is essentially a standard Spz-63, with the interior rearranged to give more room for radios and other command equipment.  Typical equipment includes one short-range, one medium-range, and two-long range radios, a small map board, and various plotting and office supplies.  Later (in the 1990s), a ruggedized laptop computer and a second medium-range radio were added; one of the long-range radios were made data-capable.  The Kpz-63/89 is the same as the Kpz-63, but retains the autocannon turret of the Spz-63/79.  As with the Spz-63 series, the Kpz-63s are often found with appliqué armor.

     The Gpz-63 is essentially the same as the Spz-63, but is equipped with a dozer blade at the front of the vehicle.  This blade is one meter high and as wide as the vehicle.  Frontal hits are 50% likely to hit the blade, which has an armor value of 10Sp.  The blade unbalances the vehicle and interferes with the trim vane, robbing the vehicle of its amphibious capability. 

*50% of all frontal hits against the Gpz-63 will hit the dozer blade, which provides additional protection of 10Sp.  Every such hit which penetrates the plow, however, has a 1% chance per 2 points of penetration of damaging the plow to the point that the vehicle becomes immobile until the plow is removed.