Véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie (VBCI) 8x8 IFV

Posted by: Andrei Dcs

Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI) is a French 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by Nexter.

Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie translates in English as "Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle".

VBCI 8x8 was initially designed by Giat Industries and Renault Véhicules Industriels (V.I.). Later, Giat Industries became Nexter Systems.

France chose to develop an 8x8 wheeled vehicle instead of a tracked armoured vehicle as a cheaper option regarding production and maintenance.

VBCI was designed as a mobile and cheaper platform to back the the Leclerc tank.

VBCI cost

The VBCI VCI infantry combat vehicle variant has a price per unit of €3.49 million (FY 2012), while the VBCI VPC command post vehicle has a cost per unit of €2.74 million (FY 2012).

VBCI production and number of units

The production of VBCI 8x8 started in 2008, and, so far, have been built 510 VBCI VCI variants and 120 VBCI VPC versions.

The new armoured personnel carrier entered active service with the French Army in 2008, with 630 vehicles ordered up to 2010.

VBCI mass and dimensions

VBCI has and empty mass of less than 18 tonnes, and both the VBCI VCI and VPC variants reach a combat load mass of 28.5 tons.

VBCI 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle has a length of 7.6 m, a width of 2.98 m, and a height of 3 m.

VBCI crew and transport capacity

The crew of the VBCI is made of three (3) persons, and it can carry up to eight (8) soldiers.

VBCI armor

VBCI has an aluminium hull and a modular THD steel and titanium armour, which can be replaced in the field.

Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie offers protection against 14.5 mm API.

VBCI armament

VBCI is armed with one 25 mm GIAT modele M811 cannon with a firing rate of 400 rounds per minute.

As secondary armament is uses one 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun.

VBCI engine

VBCI is powered by a 550 hp (410 kW) Renault diesel engine.

VBCI operational range and speed

The French Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie has an operational range of 750 km (470 mi) and a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).

VBCI variants

The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie has main three variants:

1.1. VBCI VCI (infantry combat vehicle)

The VBCI VCI is the standard infantry combat vehicle configuration.

VCI is fitted with a Dragar turret equipped with one 25 mm cannon and an additional 7.62 mm machine gun.

The VCI IFV version can accomodate a combat group of nine infantrymen.

1.2. VBCI VPC (command post vehicle)

The VBCI VPC is the command post vehicle variant of the Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie.

Additional to the crew, it has two SIP stations with seven users.

The VPC variant is equipped with a turret fitted with a 12.7 mm machine gun.

1.3. VBCI VTT (Troop Transport Vehicle)

The VBCI VTT (Troop Transport Vehicle) is the standard armoured personnel carrier configuration designed to transport troops on the battlefield.

Excluding the two-man crew, with an interior volume of 13 m³, the VBCI VTT can carry up to 10 fully equipped soldiers.

VTT is a standard platform, designed to meet export requirements, that can be fitted in various configurations acording to the requirements of the potential customer.

2.0. VBCI 2

An improved variant, the VBCI 2, was designed for export sales.

The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie 2 is a heavier vehicle, with a maximum mass of 32 tons.

The VBCI 2 prototype is fitted with a T40 two-man turret, equipped with a 40 mm main gun.

VBCI 2 has a new engine, a 600 hp Volvo D13 turbocharged diesel engine.

Additionally, it is equipped with a new air conditioner, and new vision cameras.

Transportability

VBCI was designed in order to be transportable by the main transport aircraft of the French Air Force, the new Airbus A400M Atlas.