French Army Selects Renault Trucks To Extend Light Armored Vehicle’s Service Life

Renault Trucks Defense has won a design contract from the French defense procurement agency (Direction Générale de l’Armement - DGA) to extend the service life of its light armored vehicle (VBL) for next 15 years.

In focusing on mobility aspects, DGA has awarded Renault Trucks Defense an initial feasibility design contract to provide a solution to upgrade the VBL, including its engine, gearbox, suspension and braking, the company announced today.

An initial demonstrator was delivered to the French Army in December 2014 for assessment and this has led on to the extension design contract which has just been awarded.

Three other vehicles are due to be delivered at the end of 2015 for trials in the French armed forces at the start of 2016.

The Panhard production plant in Marolles-en-Hurepoix  is the original manufacturer of the VBL. It is responsible for preparing the delivery of pre-production vehicles.

The VBL, designed in the early 1980s, has seen service in all the overseas operations of the French armed forces.