Nexter ramps up VBCI production

Christopher F Foss

Monday, 16 June, 2008

Nexter Systems is now ramping up production of the VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie). In late May, the French Army took delivery, on schedule, of the first three production vehicles, which are being used for training purposes.
Two of these were in the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) configuration (including one for carrying Eyrx short-range anti-tank guided missile teams) and one was a command post vehicle (CPV). The IFV is fitted with a one-person turret armed with a stabilised 25mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun (MG) and the CPV is fitted with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) armed with a .50 (12.7 mm) M2 HB MG.
The French Army has a requirement for a total of 700 VBCIs, of which 550 will be in the VCI (Véhicule de Combat d’Infanterie) IFV configuration and 150 in the VPC (Véhicule Poste de Commandement) CPV role. Two production batches of VBCI have been funded by the Délégation Générale pour l’Armement (DGA). The first consisted of 65 vehicles (42 IFVs, 12 AIFVs with Eyrx and 11 CPVs), of which 41 will be delivered this year and the remainder early next year.
Late last year, the DGA placed a second fixed-price contract, which covers a further 117 vehicles for delivery from mid-2009 through to late 2010. The first three French Army mechanised infantry regiments will be equipped with the VBCI between late 2008 and early 2011.
Under current plans, production will build up to 10 VBCIs a month on a single-shift basis, but the production line has a built-in surge capability to meet future export orders.
In French Army service, the VBCI will replace the full-tracked AMX-10P IFV as well as some of the large fleet of Renault Trucks Defense VAB (4x4) armoured personnel carriers.
In addition to the four prototype vehicles funded by the DGA, Nexter Systems has a company demonstrator for overseas trials and this is currently fitted with a .50 (12.7mm) RCWS. Initial designs of a number of other specialised variants of the VBCI have been completed.
At Eurosatory, Nexter Systems (Outdoor Stand A300) is showing the first production VCI and a Protected Mobility variant for the first time.