| Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz | |
| Origin: | France and West Germany |
| Type: | Armored reconnaissance Vehicle |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Service: | 1959–1987 |
| Designer: | Hotchkiss et Cie |
| Design Date: | 1950–1956 |
| Production Date: | 1959–1967 |
| Length: | 4.51 m |
| Width: | 2.28 m |
| Height: | 1.97 m |
| Weight: | 8,200 kg (18,100 lb) |
| Suspension: | torsion bar |
| Speed: | 58 km/h |
| Vehicle Range: | 390 km (244 miles) |
| Primary Armament: | 1 x 20 mm Hispano-Suiza 820/L85 Cannon |
| Secondary Armament: | 3 x Smoke grenade launchers |
| Armour: | 15 mm at 62° of chrome-nickel-molybdenum |
| Engine: | 1 x Hotchkiss et Cie 6-cylinder petrol engine |
| Engine Power: | 164 hp (122 kW) |
| Crew: | 5 |
The Schützenpanzer SPz 11-2 Kurz Armoured Infantry Fighting and 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 was replaced in the IFV role by the Marder and in the reconnaissance role by the Spähpanzer Luchs. The SPz 11-2 saw service with the West German army only.
Its designator "Schützenpanzer Halbgruppe" already hinted on its combat role as the Infantry Fighting Vehicle ("Schützenpanzer") of a Squad ("Halbgruppe", literally "half a section", or Trupp). It was introduced besides the Schützenpanzer lang HS-30.
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.
The SPz 11-2 was used from 1960 to 1974 by the cannon platoons of the Panzergrenadiers (armored infantry battalions) until 1974. It was used afterwards as a reconnaissance vehicle until 1982.[2] The vehicle was never exported to other countries.[3] [4]
Used by Bundeswehr until 1987.