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VBCI Armored Personnel Carrier
(GIAT Industries)
GIAT demonstrated the latest VBCI prototype at
Eurosatory 2006. The 8x8 VBCI infantry combat vehicle developed by
GIAT will replace the AMX-10P in French Army service and will
operate as part of the medium weight force with other wheeled
vehicles, such as the VBL and AMX-10RC. The VBCI will equip heavy
forces, accompanying the Leclerc tanks. By 2008, GIAT is scheduled
to deliver the first batch of 85 vehicles. The complete program
calls for the production of 700 vehicles (550 VCIs and 150 VPCs).
Two versions of the
vehicle are currently under production – the VCI Infantry Fighting
vehicle, equipped with a manned turret with a GIAT 25mm M811dual feed cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The VPC will be armed with an FN Herstal Arrows-300 class remote
controlled weapon station mounting a 12.7mm machine gun and the
SIR
regimental information system. Also installed are a gunner's thermal
sight provided by Thales and a panoramic sight for the commander,
delivered by Sagem and Galileo.
The command vehicle is the second version of VBCI. It is fitted with
SIT-V1 information consoles, linked to the Army Tactical Information
Network and Regimental Battle Management System (BMS) manufactured
by EADS and Thales. The vehicle is equipped with an Arrows-300 remote
controlled MG turret operated from within the vehicle. A consortium
set by GIAT and Renault, which also provides the engines, is
producing the first 85 from planned 700 vehicles on order for the
French Army. The first five vehicles (four IFVs and one command
vehicle) is undergoing qualification trials since March 2005,
the process is scheduled to complete by the end of 2007. Three
versions are produced for these trials. In 2004 the VCI Rank
infantry carrier was completed and in 2005, the VPC command vehicle
and VCI ERYX/Milan anti-tank and mortar vehicle variants. The
vehicles are currently undergoing tests in urban and cross country
environments. Production will start in 2007 and peak with 100
vehicles per year. The VBCI is equipped with
Michelen tires with run-flat systems.
Other versions of the VBCI are also considered by GIAT, including an
anti-tank missile carrier, mobile gun system (armed with a 120mm
smoothbore gun and autoloader), and a 40mm CTA International cannon,
firing the 40mm Case telescope Weapon System which is also
considered the weapon of choice for the futuristic EBRC
electric-drive wheeled vehicle.
In April 2009 the Spanish engineering company GTD has teamed with the French company Nexter to modify the French VBCI, proposed a future replacement for the BMR-600 currently in service with the Spanish Army. The Spanish Army plans to phase out the 6x6 BMRswith a new 8x8 platform. The BMR was built by Enasa (currently owned by Iveco) since 1979. The vehicle will be designed for a basic gross vehicle weight of 28 tons. It will be able to carry 11 soldiers including the crew. The vehicle has also been offered to Greece, during a visit of a high ranking French delegation in April 2009.
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