The VBCI VCI (Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie) infantry fighting vehicle is a recent French development. The first prototype was completed in 2004. It is a successor to the ageingAMX-10P IFV. The VBCI shares much in common with the Vextra and X8A prototype IFVs, developed by GIAT Industries and Renault in the early 1990s. A total of 630 VBCI infantry fighting vehicles were ordered by the French Army. Deliveries commenced in 2008.
The VBCI has a welded steel and aluminum armor hull with add-on modular armor protection. Protection level that can be adapted to the threat. It seems that basic armor provides all-round protection against 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds. Titanium armor plates can be fitted for increased protection. Interior of the VBCI is fitted with spall liners. Vehicle keeps on moving if a wheel is lost by mine explosion. NBC protection and fire suppression systems are fitted as standard.
The VBCI infantry fighting vehicle is fitted with DRAGAR one-man turret. Vehicle is armed with a fully-stabilized, dual fed 25-mm cannon and coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun. The cannon is compatible with standard NATO ammunition. It fires single round, three round burst, ten rounds burst or in fully automatic mode. Its APFSDS rounds penetrate 85 mm of armor at 1 000 m range. This cannon can also engage low-flying helicopters. The VBCI VCI is fitted with Galix grenade launching system and infrared decoy system.
This infantry fighting vehicle is fully compatible with emerging digitalized battlefield. The VBCI is fitted with combat identification system and has secure data and voice communications.
Vehicle has a crew of two and can carry nine troops. Commander dismounts with the troops. Troops leave the vehicle through the rear power-operated ramp with integral door.
The VBCI is powered by Renault turbocharged diesel engine, developing 550 horsepower. This armored vehicle can switch its configuration from 8x8 to 8x6, while moving on hard surface roads. Vehicle is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension and has variable tyre pressure system. It is capable of negotiating various terrain obstacles at high speeds. However it has inferior cross-country performance comparing with tracked vehicles. This IFV is not amphibious. The VBCI can be airlifted by the Airbus A400M.
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French MOD qualifies a heavier VBCI armoured fighting vehicle | Defense Update:
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