The M113 HVMS is an Armoured Personnel Carrier that combines the ubiquitous M113 chassis with an Israeli-designed gun turret for fire support. The HVMS (High Velocity Medium Support) variant was developed by Israel Military Industries in the 1980s, mounting a 60 mm high-velocity gun in a stabilized turret to give mechanized units organic direct-fire capability against light armour and fortifications; it saw use with the Israel Defense Forces and was offered for export. Operated by a crew of three — driver, gunner, and commander — with seating for four passengers, the vehicle is tracked, weighs 15 tonnes, and is amphibious at 4 km/h. A 6V53 diesel engine delivers 212 horsepower for a 14.1 hp/t power-to-weight ratio and a top speed of 64 km/h.
The main armament is the 60mm IMI HVMS cannon in a three-round magazine with a 2 s reload, firing OTO HE-VT, M-54, and OTO HE ammunition; the turret has a stabilizer and a fire control system with laser rangefinder, lead computation, and 8× magnification. A coaxial .30 cal M1919 machine gun provides secondary fire. The HVMS gives the M113 credible firepower while retaining the chassis’s mobility and amphibious capability.
