Nexter (GIAT) VBCI (Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie)

The History of Nexter (GIAT) VBCI (Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie)

Over the past decade, a decisive shift from expensive and complex armoured tracked vehicles to more cost-effective all-wheel drive solutions has begun. The cases of European armed forces, including the Belgian and French armies, bear this out. For the former, main battle tanks were completely replaced by wheeled vehicles.

For the latter, the Giat Industries Vehicule blinde de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) was adopted as an 8x8 wheeled all-terrain modular infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) to replace the legacy AMX-10P tracked infantry fighting vehicle from the late 1960s. The VBCI officially entered service with the French Army in 2008, and hundreds of these (in two different model forms) will eventually become the VBCI's strong point on the roster.

The origins of VBCI can be traced back to the early 1990s, when the French were looking for a state-of-the-art IFV solution through the Vehicule Blinde Modulaire ("modular armored vehicle") program. The scheme gained some momentum when the UK and Germany became interested, but by the end of the decade there were zero VBM projects.

A new French indigenous IFV project was established and a quad-axle 8-wheel Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) was developed. The pilot vehicles (five in total, including a Command Vehicle (CV) model) feature a traditional but elegant overall design with solid battlefield capabilities. Testing took place in early batches in 2003-05, although expected delays in single-group powered turrets delayed the vehicle's entry into service, and it was not introduced in large numbers until 2008. The French Army initially ordered around 700 in 2000, but this total was reduced by the end of the development phase.

550 base IFV models were ordered as VBCI and 150 CV brands were carried over - this car was identified as VPC.

The first unit of the French Army to be equipped with this type became the 35th Infantry Regiment (Belfort). At one point, the British Army considered buying a VBCI to meet new requirements for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) in a "tech swap" sale (the French would in turn buy Watchkeeper drones).

The UK project ultimately failed, preventing virtually any sales opportunities for both parties.

In terms of design, the VBCI features a proven military layout with 8x8 wheels. Eight large, real-time adjustable run-flat wheels provide excellent ground clearance, balance and displacement, allowing for traversing obstacles and wading through water. The body structure has a well-sloping sloping plate at the front, while vertical walls form the rear of the vehicle.

The eight-wheel arrangement allows for power steering on the front two axles (four wheels). The driver sits in the front left of the fuselage, the power pack is to his right, and the vehicle commander follows (the gunner is in the turret). The engine is a diesel-powered Renault with 550 hp. Placing the engine in the front allows the rear of the fuselage to be used as a passenger seat and the center of the fuselage to be used as a tower location.

The overall dimensions (7.6 x 2.98 x 3 meters) allow the VBCI to be transported in the cargo hold of an Airbus A400M "Atlas" or similar transport aircraft. Performance includes a top speed of 62 mph and a maximum range of 470 miles.

Suspension extends to all eight wheels for true off-road capability. At the rear of the vehicle is a large power gate that lowers to the entry ramp. Passengers have two rows of seats with four seats in each row.

The combat aspect of the VBCI includes not only its infantry passengers, but also the DRAGAR turret located on top of the fuselage, providing 360-degree traversal. The 25x137mm M811 dual-feed gun (NATO standard shell) has a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute and is fully stabilized for long-range, accurate fire. A laser rangefinder and thermal imager are standard. The turret is a one-man design with useful autocannons, infantry machine guns, and smoke grenade launchers for self-defense.

The cannon provides protection against lightly armored vehicles, heavy suppressive fire against enemy infantry, and can even be used against low-flying threats such as helicopters. Coaxial machine guns also have anti-infantry effects and suppressive weapons.

Smoke grenade launchers help protect the vehicle's position from the enemy's line of sight - depending on battlefield conditions, they can be used as an offensive and defensive measure.

The vehicle's base armor protection against small arms fire (14.5mm or less) and shrapnel. The hull features titanium welded aluminum construction in more critical areas. Internal debris lining adds another layer of protection for the crew and their critical systems.

The cabin floor is also mine protected.

The base model of the VBCI IFV is the VCI, the vehicle has a standard crew of three (driver, commander and gunner) and provides passenger transport for up to nine combat readiness units. The turret is armed with the aforementioned 25mm main gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. VPC is a CV model, using the standard 2 workers and 7 experts. A simplified turret carries a heavy 12.7mm machine gun for local air defense and infantry defense, and the brand also has two SIP workstations and additional communications equipment. VTT is the third brand intended to be sold as a special purpose personnel carrier for export.

Its crew consists of two people and can accommodate ten combat-ready troops. All VBCI vehicles come standard with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) and IFF (Identification of Foe or Foe) equipment.

The VBCI has seen combat operations with French troops against extremists in Mali.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on mounted weapon; 14 x smoke grenades.

Changes