VXB-170 VBRG 4x4 APC

Wheeled armored vehicle personnel carrier Gendarmerie France

The VXB-170 is a 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle used by the French Gendarmerie as Internal security vehicle. The VXB-170 is also called VBRG (Véhicule Blindé à Roues de la Gendarmerie - Wheeled Armored Vehicle of Gendarmerie). The vehicle was designed, developed and manufactured by the French Company Berliet and delivered to the French Gendarmerie in 1973. The total requirement of the French Gendarmerie was for about 400 vehicles but only 155 were ordered and delivered.

VXB-170 VBRG variants:

There were originally three versions, internal security (procured by the Gendarmerie in 4 versions : basic vehicle, command vehicle, blade vehicle, and winch vehicle) , reconnaissance and patrol, and light combat.

Armament

The VXB-170 / VBRG is fitted with a small turret mounted at the front of the roof that can be armed with a 7.62mm machine gun. The turret has a traverse of 360° and the armament has elevation from -15° to +60º. The gunner has a 360° situational awareness thanks to the use of day observation periscopes mounted all-around the turret.

Design and protection

The design of the VXB-170 / VBRG is divided in three main components with the driver at the front, the troop’s compartment in the middle and the engine at the rear. The driver is seated at the front of the hull on the left side with the commander to his right. There is a large windscreen at the front of the vehicle and one small window on each side of the driver position. There is one single door mounted on each side of the hull and a third door at the rear of the hull on the right side. The vehicle can carry a total of 12 military personnel including driver and commander. There is three individual seats at the front and two benches at the rear. The armor of the body of the vehicle has a a thickness of 7 mm.

Inside view of the VXB-170 or VBRG with the driver position at the front.

Mobility

The VXB-170 / VBRG is motorized with a Berliet Model V 800 M V-8 diesel developing 170 hp. at 3,000 rpm coupled to preselective transmission with 6 forward and 1 reverse gears. The power pack is at the rear of the hull on the left side and access panels are provided in the top and rear of the hull for maintenance. The four powered wheeled are suspended by helical springs and hydraulic shock-absorbers. The VXB-170 can run at a maximum road speed of 85 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 750 km.

Accessories

The VXB-170 / VBRG is fully amphibious, being propelled in the water by its wheels at a maximum speed of 4 km/h. The vehicle of the French Gendarmerie is equipped with a hydraulic obstacle-clearing blade located at the front of the hull and search light is mounted at the right side of the turret. In option the vehicle can be fitted with a heater, passive night vision equipment, an NBC system, a winch with a capacity of 3,500 to 4,500 kg (and 60 m of cable) and bulletproof tires.