Luxembourg Allocates €2.6B for French Griffon, Jaguar Armored Vehicles

The Luxembourg government announced a €2.6 billion investment, the nation's largest defense expenditure, to acquire French-made Griffon, Jaguar, and Serval armored vehicles, enhancing military capabilities and NATO/EU interoperability.

Defense Minister Yuriko Backes, alongside Chief of Staff General Steve Thull, presented the comprehensive defense bill, detailing the acquisition plan, as per reports.

The Luxembourg army will receive 16 Griffon multi-role armored vehicles, 38 Jaguar armored reconnaissance and combat vehicles, and 5 Serval light multi-role armored vehicles over the next 30 years. These additions are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Luxembourg military and facilitate improved cooperation with NATO and EU allies, particularly Belgium and France.

Minister Backes emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, underscoring Luxembourg's commitment to being a reliable partner in international defense frameworks. The new vehicles will be equipped with latest weaponry, protection, and communication systems, tailored to meet the specific operational needs of the Luxembourg Army. This upgrade is designed to integrate smoothly with existing assets, such as the CLRV vehicles acquired in 2022, with full integration expected by 2025. This timeline aligns with the French Scorpion program, aimed at achieving enhanced operational synergy.

With approximately 900-1100 soldiers, the Luxembourg Army emphasizes flexibility and interoperability within international frameworks. Its maneuver capabilities are primarily focused within its reconnaissance forces, which include two reconnaissance companies—one contributing to the Eurocorps and a Belgian division, and the other forming part of a NATO deployable forces pool.

Currently, the Luxembourg Army operates 48 Dingo 2 4x4 armored vehicles. Its anti-tank arsenal features MANPATS NLAW and TOW missile systems, providing robust anti-armor and anti-infrastructure capabilities. Additionally, the army maintains an artillery component with six 81mm mortars for indirect fire support.

From 2021 to 2022, Luxembourg's defense budget saw a substantial rise of 40.01%, increasing to $0.56 billion.