Véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie


The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed to replace the AMX-10P. They entered active service with the French Army in 2008, with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010. Spain and the UK have shown interest in the vehicle.
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie is built on an aluminium hull which carries a modular THD steel and titanium armour, which can be replaced in the field. The 8x8 wheel combination is designed to make the VBCI more comfortable and less costly than a tracked vehicle, while giving it sufficient mobility to back the Leclerc tank. The VBCI is also designed to be transportable by the Airbus A400M, with an empty mass less than 18 tonnes.

History

In the early 1990s, the French government started the VBM as a replacement for its older IFVs. Soon, Germany and the United Kingdom joined the project. At Eurosatory 1996, Renault unveiled the X8A, an eight-wheeled prototype in this perspective.
However, in 1999, the programme came to a dead-end, and France decided to carry on on its own and ordered 700 vehicles on 6 November 2000. In 2003–2004, the programme reached some major milestones: The mobility/agility tests, the armour tests and the electronic systems tests were all successful. From 2004 to 2005, the first 5 prototypes were tested in real conditions. These tests proved some crucial design mistakes on the DRAGAR turret, which had to be redesigned. The 2 years delay in the programme are consequences of this design flaw.
As the programme reaches completion, other variants are being studied. A mortar version and a vehicle using the MILAN Missile have been considered by the developer. Note that none of these variants are being developed as of now, but feasibility studies are being conducted. In June 2007, VBCI was being considered for the British FRES programme.
, Mali, in March or April 2013.
France originally planned to buy 550 VCI and 150 of the VPC command version, but this was cut to 510 and 120 respectively with deliveries until 2015. The €3.49bn project will deliver 630 units at a unit cost of €3.49m for the VCI and €2.74m for the VPC, or €5.5m per vehicle including development costs.
The 200th VBCI was delivered to the French army on 23 June 2010. The 400th VBCI was delivered to the French army on 12 June 2012. The first unit to be equipped with the new infantry fighting vehicle was the 35th Infantry Regiment in Belfort. The 500th VBCI was delivered to the French Army on 8 July 2013. Delivery of 110 command post vehicles has been completed.
At Eurosatory 2014, Nexter unveiled improvements to the VBCI IFV variant following trials. The rear wheels have steering to reduce its turning radius to 20 meters, and rear internal volume was increased by moving electrical equipment to the front of the vehicle. To make room for the equipment, the driver's seat was pulled back and two sloping angles were added to the front end for the driver to maintain visibility. In September 2014, the French Army Procurement Agency declared the qualification of a new version of the VBCI with a 32-ton gross vehicle weight, compared to 29 tons previously. The increase in gross weight allows the vehicle to have better protection and preserves its capability to be upgraded. The 32-ton configuration will be delivered to the French armed forces starting in 2015.

Export

United Kingdom

In July 2014, France agreed to loan 19 VBCIs to the British Army for testing. The British Army was reportedly interested in the vehicle for its Mechanised Infantry Vehicle program. In February 2014, it was reported that the French Army may purchase the British Watchkeeper WK450 unmanned aerial vehicle if the British Army bought the VBCI. However, in November 2019, the British Army confirmed its selection of Boxer for its MIV program.

Qatar

In December 2017, during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, Qatar announced it intended to purchase 490 Nexter VBCI vehicles. Negotiations continue to be under way for the exact loadout of the 490 vehicles, with American, British, French, Norwegian and Belgian firms bidding for turret systems among other systems.
In March 2018, it was reported Kongsberg would supply unmanned medium-calibre turrets and Protector remote weapons stations in the event that Qatar ordered the VBCIs in a contract worth up to US$1.94 billion.

Specifications

C4ISR

The VBCI will be completely integrated in the French C4ISR capability. The VCI version will use the SIT, while the VPC will use the SIR.
The vehicle will be designed to primarily carry soldiers equipped with the FÉLIN system.

DRAGAR Turret

The DRAGAR Turret is a single seat modular design turret integrating a 25 mm stabilized gun. Fire control integrates a laser rangefinder and a thermal camera. The rate of fire is up to 400 rounds/min, and the turret allows anti-air self-defence. It also includes a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun for close defence and a Galix grenade launching system. The turret adds to a vehicle's weight.

Variants

Common features for all variants include SIT communication equipment, combat identification equipment, and NBC detection and protection equipment.

VBCI 2

The VBCI 2 is an improved version, intended for export sales, with new engine, new air conditioner, and new vision cameras. It is heavier and the prototype is equipped with a T40 two-man turret.