French Defense Ministry to reinforce its Army with more armored vehicles
France - 2 September 2009
The French Army will buy 332 more armored vehicles for infantry combat (VBCI) to bring the total ordered number to 630, Defense Minister Herve Morin announced Wednesday.
The General Delegation for Armaments has notified the relevant manufacturers of the new order, including companies like Nexter System and Renault Trucks Defense, Morin said in a statement, adding that the new purchase was in line with the white paper on defense for 2009-2014.
The Defense Ministry will cost 2.86 billion euros to develop the whole VBCI program, which was launched in 2000 to replace the AMX-10P fighting vehicles for the French Army.
Part of the combat vehicles ordered by the ministry may be deployed in Afghanistan to enforce the French force there, according to a source close to the ministry.
Some sophisticated weapons of the French force, including the armored helicopter Tiger and long-range self-propelled artillery Caesar, have already been serving in Afghan territory.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Wednesday the French Army will not be withdrawn unless the Afghan security is ensured.
France's new 8X8-wheeled VBCIs, carrying a modular THD steel and titanium armour, had participated in the parade for the Bastille Day celebrations on the Champs Elysees on July 14.
The VBCI combat vehicle can hold a combat crew of 11 persons, with a full load of 30 tons and a maximum speed of 100 kilometers an hour.
Source: Xinhua
France - 2 September 2009
The French Army will buy 332 more armored vehicles for infantry combat (VBCI) to bring the total ordered number to 630, Defense Minister Herve Morin announced Wednesday.
The General Delegation for Armaments has notified the relevant manufacturers of the new order, including companies like Nexter System and Renault Trucks Defense, Morin said in a statement, adding that the new purchase was in line with the white paper on defense for 2009-2014.
The Defense Ministry will cost 2.86 billion euros to develop the whole VBCI program, which was launched in 2000 to replace the AMX-10P fighting vehicles for the French Army.
Part of the combat vehicles ordered by the ministry may be deployed in Afghanistan to enforce the French force there, according to a source close to the ministry.
Some sophisticated weapons of the French force, including the armored helicopter Tiger and long-range self-propelled artillery Caesar, have already been serving in Afghan territory.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Wednesday the French Army will not be withdrawn unless the Afghan security is ensured.
France's new 8X8-wheeled VBCIs, carrying a modular THD steel and titanium armour, had participated in the parade for the Bastille Day celebrations on the Champs Elysees on July 14.
The VBCI combat vehicle can hold a combat crew of 11 persons, with a full load of 30 tons and a maximum speed of 100 kilometers an hour.
Source: Xinhua
