Defense News - France

The new VAB Ultima is the latest development of the 30 years old VAB armoured personnel carrier designed and manufactured by the French Defence Company Renault Trucks Defense. To answer to the new threats in Afghanistan and the use of FELIN, the future soldier equipment which is entered in service in the French infantry units, Renault Trucks Defense presented this new upgrade of the VAB at the end of November in Draguignan, France.

The VAB Ultima is equipped with a new armour kits which increase the protection for the crew and the soldiers against IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and land mines. The upper part of the infantry crew compartment is reinforced and equipped with new anti-blast seats that are not fixed to the floor. The anti-blast seats are designed to prevent damage to the crew from the extreme acceleration following an explosion beside or under the vehicle.

The VAB Ultima is also equipped with new communication and command systems SITEL of Sagem and battery chargers for the FELIN combat equipment.

The vehicle is now fitted with a new Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station which can be armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Night and day camera is also available. A monitoring system for the detection and localization of gunshots and swivel stations for 5.56 Minimi machine gun are mounted at the rear side of the top of the vehicle.

The VAB Ultima is available in three variants, APC armoured personnel carrier, ERYX anti-tank missile and for anti-tank missile team MILAN.

French army has ordered 120 VAB Ultima vehicles which will be delivered to the infantry units equipped with the FELIN. First vehicles will be delivered next year with a quick deployment for the french troops in Afghanistan.