VBCI
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (English: Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle) or VBCI is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed and manufactured by GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems) and Renault Trucks Defense (now Arquus) to replace the AMX-10P. The first units entered active service with the French Army in 2008. 630 units were ordered and full delivery was completed in 2018. They are available in two core variants, the VCI infantry fighting vehicle and the VPC command post vehicle.
| VBCI | |
|---|---|
French Army VBCI in 2021 | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan Operation Serval |
| Production history | |
| Designer | GIAT Industries Renault Trucks Defense |
| Designed | 2000–2007 |
| Manufacturer | GIAT Industries Renault Trucks Defense |
| Unit cost | VCI: €3.49m (FY2012) VPC: €2.74m (FY2012) |
| Produced | 2008–2018 |
| No. built | 630 (510 VCI and 120 VPC) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | VCI: 28.5 t–32 t (normal combat load) VPC: 28.5 t–32 t (normal combat load) |
| Length | 7.6 m |
| Width | 2.98 m |
| Height | 3 m |
| Crew | 2 + 9-man combat group |
| Armour | Protection against 14.5 mm API |
Main armament | GIAT modèle M811 25 mm autocannon (400 rounds/ minute) |
Secondary armament | co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun |
| Engine | Renault Diesel 550 hp (410 kW) |
| Suspension | Wheel |
Operational range | 750 km (470 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
The VBCI is built on an aluminium hull which carries a modular THD steel and titanium armour that can be replaced in the field. The 8x8 wheeled design was chosen to make the VBCI more comfortable as well as easier and less costly to maintain on war theaters than a tracked vehicle would be, while giving it sufficient mobility to complement the Leclerc tank. The VBCI is also designed to be transportable by the Airbus A400M.