The French Army has reinforced the utility of wheeled armoured and artillery vehicles on expeditionary operations with a review of lessons learned from tasks in Africa, a senior service official has revealed. According to Brig.Gen. Charles Beaudouin, Director of the French Army technical and operational department, platforms including the VBCI infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and CAESAR artillery system performed admirably in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR), as well as Afghanistan.
The VBCI was deployed to Mali and CAR in 2013 with Beaudouin stressing how the choice of wheeled armoured vehicles had “immediately paid off.” He described how VBCIs had driven 2,700km from Dakar, Senegal to Gau in Mali with a mounted combat team on board. The transition took seven days, including three days in a rest area.
Furthermore, he described how each VBCI had achieved 8,000km in the first two months of the deployment, with the wheeled armoured option better adapting to the fighting tempo in large, open areas.
“The 8x8 configuration worked well in both sand and rocky terrain,” he explained while describing how the vehicles provided exceptional mobility in open terrain with its automatic inflated tyre system; comfort and reliability in temperatures over 55C; mission duration up to 10 days; long range mobility; and weapons systems capable of engaging targets up to 2km away. He also stated how thermal imaging technology had provided a “huge advantage” over enemy combatants during night time engagements.
“Support echelons were often left at long ranges behind the VBCIs which were able to observe all threats in theatre. But it was essential to keep line of sight between armoured vehicle and dismounted rifleman,” he continued.
In urban environments, Beaudouin described how the power of the 25mm gun had proven its worth against buildings and insurgent combatants at medium and short ranges down to 30m. He also highlighted the use of short bursts of explosive 25mm shells in order to clear rooms as well as VBCI’s speed, mobility and protection when operating in built-up areas.
“The height of VBCI provided better observation capabilities, better fire range and a climbing capability as well as protecting forces against enemy fires and direct attacks, whether mounted or dismounted,” he said.
Shifting to describe operations in CAR, Beaudouin praised the vehicle’s air conditioning, accuracy and efficiency of the 25mm cannon and reduced collateral damage, mobility and tyre inflating system, digitised situation awareness and reliability. He also highlighted the psychological impact the vehicle had on enemy forces.
Also deployed in Lebanon, the French Army has deployed a total of 549 VBCI platforms with an overall fleet availability of 90 per cent. “Minimum downtime, maximum use,” Beaudouin proclaimed.
Referring to operation of CAESAR artillery systems in the same areas of operation, he described how the platform had proven a capability to travel more than 500km without refuelling while highlighting how the weapon system had worked in tandem with airborne strike assets as a joint fires solution for French forces operating in Mali.
“The precision of this fires capability was high and the right weapon for French operations which adapted to the high operational tempo and was hugely useful for operations in Mali due to the huge size of the area of operation,” Beaudouin said.
"Both VBCI and CAESAR fully satisfied overseas operations and in line with the Army’s Scorpion modernisation strategy for 2020, we have a full fleet of modernised armoured vehicles suited for wide spectrum of engagement. The French Army has engaged in operations on a permanent basis and we want our armoured vehicles to be able to be used very often and anywhere," he said. "Operations since the first Gulf War have been very different gulf so we are always likely to be surprised by future roles. I think we will always have air supremacy in asymmetric wars, allowing us to identify and target enemy forces before they can approach our vehicles."
“So the major threat for me will be the permanent IED threats and capability of ambush by insurgents with very powerful accuracy weapons. i think we will have in front of us, men with accurate and tremendous effect arms even against helicopters so we have to be very careful with that,” Beaudouin explained.
Referring to the French Army’s Scorpion modernisation programme, French Army officials confirmed that in 2015, the entire fleet of 630 VBCI vehicles will compete upgrades from a 30t to 32t platform.
Beyond this, Beaudouin confirmed that 110 JAGUAR and 780 GRIFFON vehicles will be delivered to the French Army by 2025. Developed by Nexter, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales, these new platforms are scheduled to replace in-service VBCI platforms.
However, he said this would not hinder shorter term upgrades of VBCI in the future, explaining how these were scheduled to include new information and communication systems; enhanced optronics and vectronics systems; night driving camera, supervision and 360° vision system.
Furthermore, he described the integration of long distance air burst and limited lethality munitions, development of a 3D imaging and rangefinder capability (to optimise air burst ammunition capabilities) and integration of an anti-tank guided munition capability on board the 25mm turret.
Currently, the 25mm turret comprises a 7.62mm machine gun which is capable of firing up to 200 rounds per minute in single shot, burst of 3 and 5 rounds and full automatic with target practice, armour piercing, high explosive and air burst ammunition. It also contains 12 GALIX 13 smoke grenade launchers.
The VBCI was deployed to Mali and CAR in 2013 with Beaudouin stressing how the choice of wheeled armoured vehicles had “immediately paid off.” He described how VBCIs had driven 2,700km from Dakar, Senegal to Gau in Mali with a mounted combat team on board. The transition took seven days, including three days in a rest area.
Furthermore, he described how each VBCI had achieved 8,000km in the first two months of the deployment, with the wheeled armoured option better adapting to the fighting tempo in large, open areas.
“The 8x8 configuration worked well in both sand and rocky terrain,” he explained while describing how the vehicles provided exceptional mobility in open terrain with its automatic inflated tyre system; comfort and reliability in temperatures over 55C; mission duration up to 10 days; long range mobility; and weapons systems capable of engaging targets up to 2km away. He also stated how thermal imaging technology had provided a “huge advantage” over enemy combatants during night time engagements.
“Support echelons were often left at long ranges behind the VBCIs which were able to observe all threats in theatre. But it was essential to keep line of sight between armoured vehicle and dismounted rifleman,” he continued.
In urban environments, Beaudouin described how the power of the 25mm gun had proven its worth against buildings and insurgent combatants at medium and short ranges down to 30m. He also highlighted the use of short bursts of explosive 25mm shells in order to clear rooms as well as VBCI’s speed, mobility and protection when operating in built-up areas.
“The height of VBCI provided better observation capabilities, better fire range and a climbing capability as well as protecting forces against enemy fires and direct attacks, whether mounted or dismounted,” he said.
Shifting to describe operations in CAR, Beaudouin praised the vehicle’s air conditioning, accuracy and efficiency of the 25mm cannon and reduced collateral damage, mobility and tyre inflating system, digitised situation awareness and reliability. He also highlighted the psychological impact the vehicle had on enemy forces.
Also deployed in Lebanon, the French Army has deployed a total of 549 VBCI platforms with an overall fleet availability of 90 per cent. “Minimum downtime, maximum use,” Beaudouin proclaimed.
Referring to operation of CAESAR artillery systems in the same areas of operation, he described how the platform had proven a capability to travel more than 500km without refuelling while highlighting how the weapon system had worked in tandem with airborne strike assets as a joint fires solution for French forces operating in Mali.
“The precision of this fires capability was high and the right weapon for French operations which adapted to the high operational tempo and was hugely useful for operations in Mali due to the huge size of the area of operation,” Beaudouin said.
"Both VBCI and CAESAR fully satisfied overseas operations and in line with the Army’s Scorpion modernisation strategy for 2020, we have a full fleet of modernised armoured vehicles suited for wide spectrum of engagement. The French Army has engaged in operations on a permanent basis and we want our armoured vehicles to be able to be used very often and anywhere," he said. "Operations since the first Gulf War have been very different gulf so we are always likely to be surprised by future roles. I think we will always have air supremacy in asymmetric wars, allowing us to identify and target enemy forces before they can approach our vehicles."
“So the major threat for me will be the permanent IED threats and capability of ambush by insurgents with very powerful accuracy weapons. i think we will have in front of us, men with accurate and tremendous effect arms even against helicopters so we have to be very careful with that,” Beaudouin explained.
Referring to the French Army’s Scorpion modernisation programme, French Army officials confirmed that in 2015, the entire fleet of 630 VBCI vehicles will compete upgrades from a 30t to 32t platform.
Beyond this, Beaudouin confirmed that 110 JAGUAR and 780 GRIFFON vehicles will be delivered to the French Army by 2025. Developed by Nexter, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales, these new platforms are scheduled to replace in-service VBCI platforms.
However, he said this would not hinder shorter term upgrades of VBCI in the future, explaining how these were scheduled to include new information and communication systems; enhanced optronics and vectronics systems; night driving camera, supervision and 360° vision system.
Furthermore, he described the integration of long distance air burst and limited lethality munitions, development of a 3D imaging and rangefinder capability (to optimise air burst ammunition capabilities) and integration of an anti-tank guided munition capability on board the 25mm turret.
Currently, the 25mm turret comprises a 7.62mm machine gun which is capable of firing up to 200 rounds per minute in single shot, burst of 3 and 5 rounds and full automatic with target practice, armour piercing, high explosive and air burst ammunition. It also contains 12 GALIX 13 smoke grenade launchers.
Andrew White