As well as developing the TABC (4 x 4) reconnaissance vehicle (which is covered in the Armoured personnel carriers (wheeled) section) and the TAB-77 (8 x 8) APC, Romania has also developed the ABI light armoured car.

This is based on the chassis of the ARO-240 (4 x 4) light vehicle and typical roles of the ABI include the protection of high-value targets such as airfields and counter insurgency roles in rear areas.

The layout of the ABI is conventional with the power pack at the front, driver and commander in the centre and the troop compartment extending to the very rear.

The hull is of all-welded steel armour that varies in thickness from 4 to 10 mm providing protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.

The driver is seated at the front on the left side with the commander to his right, both being provided with a forward-opening side door. The left door has a flap that opens upwards, and forward of this is a firing port. The right door has only a firing port.

To the front of the commander and driver is a window which, when in action, is covered by an armoured shutter hinged at the top, vision then being via six roof-mounted PF1 periscopes that give observation to the front and sides. The commander also has a firing port to the immediate right of the windscreen.

The troops normally enter and leave the vehicle via twin doors that open outwards in the rear of the hull and each of these has a firing port. There are an additional two firing ports in each side of the hull and above these is a single vision block. Two fixed PF1 periscopes are also provided.

Fitted on top of the hull is a one-man manually operated turret which can be traversed through a full 360° and this has a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear.

Fitted externally on the turret is a 12.7 mm DSKM machine gun which can be used to engage ground and aerial targets. This weapon can be elevated from -5 to +25° under manual control.

The turret is armed with a 7.62 mm PKMS machine gun which can be elevated from -5 to +25° under manual control.

Turret observation equipment includes two PF1 fixed observation periscopes, one either side, one mirror reflex sight, one binocular sight and one modified PGO-7 telescope.

Standard equipment includes a light obstacle clearing device which is mounted at the front of the hull, a white light searchlight mounted in front of the commander's position which can be operated from within the vehicle, a hull ventilator and communications equipment. The latter includes an RTM-4MF radio telephone and an RFT-4 internal communications system which links the commander, gunner and driver.

• AM 100ALG

This has a very similar hull to the standard production ABI (4 x 4) armoured car but has a different design of turret which can be armed with a 7.62 mm PKMS machine gun. According to the manufacturer this vehicle has been designed mainly for the internal security role.

Specifications are similar to the ABI except that it is powered by a Bulgarian VAMO Model D 3900 A engine developing 82.5 hp at 2,600 rpm which gives a maximum road speed of 100 km/h, has a loaded weight of 3,900 kg and an unloaded weight of 3,320 kg.

Production as required. In service with Romanian armed forces and paramilitary units.

A quantity of AM 100 ALG vehicles has been supplied to Algeria for use in the internal security role.