An up-armoured VBL belonging to the 1st Parachute Hussars Regiment pictured in Afghanistan at FOB Tora. The French Army aims at replacing its VBLs with the future Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement, VBAE in short. © Arquus .
VBAE, more than a simple VBL successor By Marc Chassillan
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peration Barkhane, Sahel region: 22 out of the 53 Killed In Action suffered by the French Army (41.5%) were caused by mines, IEDs and VBIEDs. Sadly, VBL crews represent by far the most numerous victims. While looking for a vehicle to replace in-service VBLs, the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French Government defence procurement and technology agency, went for an interim solution and signed a contract with Arquus for the VBL Ultima. Panhard delivered 1,600 VBL and VB2L to the French Army between 1990 and 2010. The VBL is used by independent recce squadrons, and is also fielded by tank
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EDR | May/June 2022
regiments where three VBLs are the eyes and the ears of each Leclerc platoon. The option of a modernization programme was very quickly imposed with the double goal of dealing with obsolescence and giving the VBL superior capabilities. A mobility demonstrator was rolled out in 2016, quickly followed by prototypes. The new powerpack combines a 130 hp Peugeot DW20F diesel engine and a Daimler W5A580 automatic gearbox. This increase of 40 hp is just enough to offset the 1.7 tons mass increase due to higher payload and protection. The VBL Ultima is therefore capable of 5.2 tons. The increase in mass no longer allows the
