VBCI

The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI) is a French 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle developed by GIAT Industries and Renault Trucks Defense to replace the AMX-10P. The program originated in the early 1990s as the Véhicule Blindé Modulaire, initially a joint project with Germany and the United Kingdom. Following the collapse of the multinational effort in 1999, France proceeded independently and placed an initial order in 2000. Testing of early prototypes between 2004 and 2005 revealed design flaws in the DRAGAR turret, resulting in a two-year redesign period. The vehicle entered active service with the French Army in 2008, and production continued through 2018.

The VBCI is constructed with an aluminum hull and modular THD steel and titanium armor that can be replaced in the field. The armor provides protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing incendiary rounds. The 8x8 wheeled configuration was selected to provide mobility alongside the Leclerc tank while reducing maintenance costs compared to tracked platforms. The vehicle is transportable by the Airbus A400M. Primary armament on the VCI variant consists of a GIAT M811 25 mm stabilized autocannon with a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute. This is supplemented by a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and a Galix grenade launching system. Fire control systems include a thermal camera and laser rangefinder.

Variants include the VCI infantry fighting vehicle, which carries a combat group of nine soldiers, and the VPC command post vehicle, equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun and specialized communication suites. The 32T variant, qualified in 2014, features a reinforced undercarriage and a centralized tire inflation system to improve protection against improvised explosive devices. An export-oriented version, the VBCI-2, integrates a 40 mm autocannon and updated optronic sensors.

The French Army is the primary operator of the VBCI, utilizing it in both infantry and command configurations. The vehicle saw combat during the War in Afghanistan and Operation Serval in Mali. In April 2025, Greece confirmed a program to acquire the vehicle, including VBCI-2 units and second-hand vehicles from the French Army. Qatar has also signed a letter of intent for the platform. The VBCI was evaluated by several other nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Lithuania, though these did not result in procurement contracts. Common features across the fleet include NBC detection equipment and integration into C4ISR networks for digital battlefield management.