Starting out as a joint project in the 90’s with Germany and the UK, like many such projects it was terminated (in 1999) with Germany developing its own project, the Boxer and France with the VCBI.
To secure the project, France placed an original order in 2000 for several hundred with the French companies Giat Industries (now Nexter) and Renault VI, who both formed a new joint company to manage the development of the vehicle called Satory Military Vehicles, but the company was closed in 2003, with Giat becoming the principal manufacturer/developer.
Testing of the principal systems, mobility, armoured protection and the electronics which are now vital systems on modern Armoured Fighting Vehicles, were tested with great success and implemented in to the first five field test vehicles, which commenced from 2004 to 2005.
Like many countries, France has been developing the VBCI as wheeled AFV’s have a much lower operational/maintenance costs compared to tracked AFV’s and is due to replace the AMX-10P, which itself is the current tracked IFV of the French Army.
It is being manufactured in two roles, the infantry combat vehicle AKA VCI, driver is seated front left (has his own cupola with three periscopes) with the engine too his right. The troop commander is sited behind him and exits via the troop compartment ramp in the rear with the 8 man troop. They are sited 4 men down each side of the vehicle (totalling 8). The gunner is located in the one man Dragar turret. The turret is equipped with a 25mm chain gun.
The command post vehicle AKA VPC, 2 SIP stations with 7 users (+ crew), self-defence turret armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun.
Specifications
Weight and dimensions
Empty weight < 18 tonnes
Maximum combat weight < 28 tonnes
Payload 10 tonnes
Length (chassis) 7,80 m
Width (chassis) 2,98 m
Height (chassis) 2,26 m
Useful internal volume > 13 m3 (complies with the size criteria of 95% of the population by 2010)
Crew + combat team 2 + 9 men
Protection
High-performance aluminium hull.
Add-on homogeneous metal armour (very high hardness steel, titanium) regenerable in combat, with growth potential.
Spall liner.
Full NBC protection.
Fire-suppression system (engine compartment and crew compartment).
Protection against mines.
Anti-laser protection of optics.
Infrared decoy system (LIRE 30).
Système d’autoprotection GALIX
GALIX self-protection system.
Optimised thermal and radar signature.
Mobility
8 drive wheels, of which 4 leading wheels with large clearance.
Enginer Diesel 550 HP.
Gearbox automatique
Suspension Dual-purpose hydropneumatic/mechanical
Short steering lock system through one-sided braking
Turning diametere 17 m
Central tyre inflation system
Wheels fitted with a run-flat device limité
Speed 100 km/h
Range ~ 750 km
Ground clearance 50 cm
Step 70 cm
Trench 2 m
Fording 1,20 m ithout preparation, 1.50 with preparation.
Road and railway gauge
Air transport A400M
Armament
1-man 25 mm turret.
25 mm x 137 NATO dual-feed cannon (see Type 25 M 811 cannon entry).
Observation, sighting and firing capability at the commander's station in the chassis.
Fire-control system incorporating laser rangefinder and thermal camera.
7.62 mm NATO coaxial machine gun.
Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF)
Ergonomics - human factors
Driver's field of view
Vehicle commander's field of view: 300° with the periscopic vision and 360° with panoramic day sight and thermal panoramic observation equipment; day/night visionit.
Infantrymen field of view
Rapid boarding and dismounting through rear ramp
Internal and external stowage intended for personnel carried aboard
Air conditioning system
Command and control
The VCBI packs the latest digital equipment. The troop commanders SIT (Système d’Information Terminal) is put together by EADS Defence Electronics Systems who supply the hardware, and Nexter with their FINDERS Battle Management System software.
In October 2007, the French defence procurement agency, DGA, issued a purchase order for 117 VBCI vehicles (91 VCI and 26 VPC), bringing the total on order to 182. The vehicles are to be delivered from mid-2009 to early 2011. In December 2008 the DGA ordered another 116 VBCI vehicles bringing the total to 298. By December 2008, 41 vehicles had been delivered.
TND’s Final Thoughts
The VCBI is a 4th generation vehicle and has the horsepower as well technical capabilities to keep up with other French Forces. With its modular armour concept, the vehicles protection can be increased when required to meet increased future threats, securing its service life with the French Forces for many years to come.