Nexter Systems VBCI 8x8 armoured vehicle ready to be used as modular platform for multi mission 0903

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Military Defense Industry Technology - Nexter VBCI

 
 
Saturday, March 9, 2013, 01:59 PM
 
Nexter Systems VBCI 8x8 armoured vehicle ready to be used as modular platform for multi mission.
At IDEX 2013, International Defence Exhibition in United Arab Emirates, the French Company Nexter Systems has unveiled five new variants of its VBCI Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Nexter wants to demonstrate that its VBCI is a modular platform that can be used for many tasks, and be adapted to the needs of future customer.
     
At IDEX 2013, International Defence Exhibition in United Arab Emirates, the French Company Nexter Systems has unveiled five new variants of its VBCI Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Nexter wants to demonstrate that its VBCI is a modular platform that can be used for many tasks, and be adapted to the needs of future customer.
The VBCI is currently deployed in Lebanon by French armed forces.
     

The United Arab Emirates has announced in the Summer 2011 that they had mandated Tawazun Holding to award a contract for the procurement and manufacturing of 600 8x8 armoured vehicles. A joint committee with representatives from both institutions has been formed to evaluate, assess and supervise the contract awarding process.

Current requirements state that the UAE Armed Forces are looking for a new 600 strong fleet of wheeled armoured vehicles capable of armoured personnel carrier (APC) and armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) variants. The vehicle should provide excellent protection that promotes mobility and modularity, in addition to exceptional levels of situational awareness and lethality. The UAE Armed Forces have also requested a vehicle that provides high levels of crew comfort.

With its VBCI, Nexter Systems offers an ideal solution to meet the requirements of United Arab Emirates armed forces, with high level of crew comfort, and the vehicle can be used as armoured personnel carrier, but also as combat vehicle with the new turret CTA-40.

Two versions of the vehicle are currently available: infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and command post vehicle (CPV) armed with a 25mm gun turret and a 12.7mm remotely operated weapon respectively.

Three regiments of the French army have been fully equipped to date and
VBCI saw active service in 2010 in Lebanon and Afghanistan where they were able to demonstrate their full operational capability in actual combat. The first month of 2013 has seen the deployment of VBCI in Mali as part of the French’s Army Operation Serval.

     
This version is fitted with the new CTA 40 turret. The CYA 40 is primarily aimed to equip armoured and reconnaissance vehicles in order to provide them with the superior fire power of a medium calibre weapon where normally there would only be the space for smaller calibre or lower performing larger calibre weapon systems. Along with the increased fire power afforded these smaller turrets, the 40 CTAS is specifically designed for operation in the modern combat theatre (urban and peace keeping).
Scale model of VBCI fitted with CTA 40 turret.
     
With these new five variants, Nexter Systems offers to modern armed forces the possibility to create a mobile armoured brigade based on VBCI chassis vehicle, with direct and indirect fire power, as well as all means for logistic and medical support. The five new variants are:

VBCI IFV Infantry fighting vehicle with CTA 40 turret for direct fire power:

This version is fitted with the new CTA 40 turret. The CYA 40 is primarily aimed to equip armoured and reconnaissance vehicles in order to provide them with the superior fire power of a medium calibre weapon where normally there would only be the space for smaller calibre or lower performing larger calibre weapon systems. Along with the increased fire power afforded these smaller turrets, the 40 CTAS is specifically designed for operation in the modern combat theatre (urban and peace keeping).

The improved fire power of the 40 CTAS over other similar calibres including the 30mm and 35mm weapons and the associated small footprint of the 40 CTAS system ensures ease of integration within the turrets (manned or unmanned) for armoured infantry fighting and reconnaissance vehicles.

The suite of ammunition developed in association with the weapon is designed to give increased effect against armoured vehicles including some main battle tanks, defeat of reinforced concrete, buildings and soft targets and suppression of dispersed troops.

     
The VBCI mortar carrier is fitted with a semi-automatic 120mm mortar mounted at the rear side of the vehicle. The mortar can fire from the mounted position within the vehicle. It fires through two roof hatches that swing to each side on the top of the vehicle. If necessary the mortar can also be used dismounted.
Scale model of VBCI 120mm self-propelled mortar carrier
     
VBCI 120 mortar carrier for indirect fire power:

The VBCI mortar carrier is fitted with a semi-automatic 120mm mortar mounted at the rear side of the vehicle. The mortar can fire from the mounted position within the vehicle. It fires through two roof hatches that swing to each side on the top of the vehicle. If necessary the mortar can also be used dismounted.

This type of artillery system is fitted with a battlefield information management system, which links up with other similarly equipped vehicles and command posts. It also has a digital fire control system with integrated navigation, self-positioning and aiming systems. This fire control system can operate in automatic laying mode, once it receives target data from an observation position.

     

Nexter proposes a new solution with the use of the 8x8 chassis VBCI to increase mobility, while maintaining the firepower with the integration of BMP-3 turret on the vehicle.
Scale model of VBCI equipped with Russian-made BMP-3 turret

     
VBCI with BMP-3 turret for maximum fire power and mobility:

Since many years the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates use the Russian-made BMP-3 which is the most heavily armed infantry combat vehicles in service, fitted with a low-velocity 2A70 100mm rifled gun, which can fire conventional shells or 9M117 ATGMs (AT-10 Stabber) (40 100mm rounds and 8 ATGMs are carried), a 2A72 30mm dual feed autocannon with 500 rounds and a rate of fire of 350 to 400 RPM, and a 7.62mm PKT machine gun with 2,000 rounds, all mounted coaxially in the turret.

The BMP-3 has showed great ability to fight with its heavy weapons system, but the vehicle showed some gaps in mobility due the use of a tracked vehicle especially in the desert.

Nexter proposes a new solution with the use of the 8x8 chassis VBCI to increase mobility, while maintaining the firepower with the integration of BMP-3 turret on the vehicle.
     
The VBCI ambulance provides medical team with maximum protection, the highest degree of flexibility and the best conditions for the care of wounded on board. The rear compartment has been raised to be fitted with litters and also to be equipped with the most modern medical equipment. The intensive care of a critically injured soldier begins in the VBCI ambulance directly after its arrival.
Scale model of VBCI ambulance
     
VBCI ambulance, a battlefield armoured vehicle for rescue missions:

Today combat units must have their own medical support vehicle able to carry and evacuate wounded soldiers, but also carry medical teams on the battlefield while providing maximum protection. These vehicles must also be able to follow the troops on the modern combat areas.

The VBCI ambulance provides medical team with maximum protection, the highest degree of flexibility and the best conditions for the care of wounded on board. The rear compartment has been raised to be fitted with litters and also to be equipped with the most modern medical equipment. The intensive care of a critically injured soldier begins in the VBCI ambulance directly after its arrival.
     
The VBCI ARV 8x8 Armoured Recovery Vehicle combines the battle proven and highly reliable drive train of the VBCI family with identical technology and the greater parts of the components. The VBCI ARV is especially designed to provide a crew of three soldiers the capability to repair and the recovery of another vehicle of the same class. As the standard version of the VBCI, the vehicle provides a protection against ballistic, mines and IED's threats.
Scale model VBCI ARV Armoured Recovery Vehicle
     
VBCI ARV armoured recovery vehicle for repair and the recovery on battlefield:

The VBCI ARV 8x8 Armoured Recovery Vehicle combines the battle proven and highly reliable drive train of the VBCI family with identical technology and the greater parts of the components. The VBCI ARV is especially designed to provide a crew of three soldiers the capability to repair and the recovery of another vehicle of the same class. As the standard version of the VBCI, the vehicle provides a protection against ballistic, mines and IED's threats.

The VBCI ARV is equipped with a crane which has the capacity to carry a powerpack of another vehicle allowing engine replacements on the battlefield.

An hydraulic bulldozer blade is mounted at the front of the vehicle which allows ground leveling, barricade arrangements and auto-uplifting. For its self-protection the VBCI ARV can be armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun mounted on the top of the hull.