The Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle Griffon (English: Multirole Armoured Vehicle Griffon) or VBMR Griffon is a French multi-purpose armoured personnel carrier developed and manufactured by Nexter in cooperation with Arquus and Thales. Entering service in 2018, it will, alongside the VBMR-L Serval, succeed the Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB).
French armoured personnel carrier
VBMR Griffon
VBMR Griffon on Bastille Day Parade (July 14 2021)
12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun or 40mm automatic grenade launcher in a remote weapons station
Engine
298 kW (400 hp)
Suspension
6 wheel drive
Operational range
800km (500mi)
Maximum speed
110km/h (68mph)
History
The French army has been preparing to replace the VAB since the early 2000s. According to the Army's 2020 Defense White Paper it plans to buy up to 2,122 VBMR vehicles between 2018 and 2025. A consortium of Nexter, Thales, and Renault Trucks Defense is building the vehicles. The same consortium also builds the EBRC Jaguar reconnaissance and combat vehicle for the French Army, which shares 70% of its components with the VBMR Griffon.
On 6 December 2014, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that deliveries will commence in 2018 and a first tranche of 319 Griffons and 20 Jaguars was ordered in April 2017.[2][3] A second tranche for 271 Griffons and 42 Jaguars was ordered on 24 September 2020.[4][5] In total the French Army plans to buy 1,872 Griffons and 300 Jaguars.[4]
On 22 June 2017, Belgium's cabinet approved a plan to purchase 60 "Jaguar" and 417 “Griffon” vehicles for €1.1 billion. The vehicles will replace the Belgian Army's Piranha IIIC armored personnel carriers and Dingo 2 infantry mobility vehicles. The deal includes spare parts and secure communications equipment and deliveries are planned to commence in 2025.[6]
Design
The vehicle is based on a 6×6 commercial all-terrain truck chassis and will carry up to eight infantry soldiers. The consortium building the "Griffon" and "Jaguar" is contractually obliged to keep the price per Griffon under €1 million. Currently, six versions of the Griffon are planned, with four of these (Armored Personnel Carrier, Command Post, Ambulance, and Artillery Observer) ordered in the first tranche.
The vehicles are designed for simple maintenance and logistics. For example, Griffon and Jaguar both use standard commercial truck engines, which have been adapted to use a wider range of fuel. The vehicle has an overpressure system to maintain constant protection to the troop compartment against chemical, biological and radiological threats. For service in hot climates, the Griffon is equipped with air conditioning.
Armament
The Griffon is equipped with a remote weapons station that can be armed with either a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The addition of two Akeron MP anti-tank guided missiles is optional. Eight launchers for smoke grenades are fitted to the remote weapon station, which also includes an acoustic sniper localisation system.
The VBMR-L Serval
Complementing the heavier Griffon armoured vehicle, the Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle Léger Serval (English: "Lightweight Multirole Armored Vehicle Serval") or VBMR-L Serval is also intended as a replacement for the VAB. 4-wheeled and designed to operate in areas of contact with the enemy, it is particularly maneuverable and will primarily equip infantry units of light brigades such as the 11th Airborne Brigade and the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade.[7] The contract for the French Army was awarded in February 2018, which included funding for 489 units by 2025, reaching 978 vehicles by 2030.[8][9]
Furthermore, 1060 additional Serval VLTP P segment haut (multipurpose light tactical vehicles) will also be purchased by 2033.
Ambulance/Santé: Armoured medical evacuation vehicle
Operators
Belgium - Ordered 417 units of the VBMR Griffon in June 2017[6]
France - Planned purchase of 1872 units of the VBMR Griffon[10][11] and 978 units of the VBMR-L Serval[12][13] by 2030. An additional 1060 Serval VLTP P segment haut vehicles to be purchased by 2033.
Bingham, James (13 February 2018). "DGA awards VBMR-L contract". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
Bingham, James (13 February 2018). "DGA awards VBMR-L contract". IHS Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
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