French Defense Minister Florence Parly paid a visit to the 3rd RIMa (Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine, Marine Infantry Regiment) in Vannes, where she attended an operational preparation sequence and a presentation of the capabilities of the new VBMR Griffon armored vehicle, part the Scorpion program.
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French Defense Minister Florence Parly paid a visit to the 3rd RIMa with a presentation of the capabilities of the new VBMR Griffon armored. (Picture source: French MoD)

The Minister also held discussions with the military on the management of the health crisis caused by the Covid-19 and on Operation Resilience. For the visit focused on the new VBMR Griffon armored vehicle, hydroalcoholic gel and masks were required before entering the vehicle. Florence Parly stressed the importance of these health measures for the army to continue to function. A pioneer unit of the operational preparation on Griffon, the regiment, therefore, adapts to sanitary measures and adopts protective equipment against the covid-19.

The 3rd RIMa received the first batch of ten VBMR Griffons last February. It should have received 29 this year. Since the first Griffons were received, the staff of the 3rd RIMa has been working on the complete assimilation of the system that should be completed by the second half of 2021, a date from which a first GTIA (Inter-Arms Tactical Group) Scorpion should be deployed in an external theater of operation.

The Griffon VBMR (Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle) is a new development of a 6x6 Multi-Role armored vehicle for the French Army under the program EBMR Scorpion (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôle - Armoured Multi-roles Vehicles). The vehicle was designed and developed by a consortium of French Companies including Nexter Systems, Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense), and Thales. The Griffon program will also include the French Company Sofran for optronics of fire control and observation devices. The vehicle will be used mainly as armored personnel carrier but six versions of the Griffon are planned, Armored Personnel Carrier, Command Post, Ambulance, Artillery Observation, Engineer and Recovery.

The Griffon will replace the standard armored personnel carrier of the French Army, the VAB. In Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) configuration, the Griffon is capable to carry a total of 11 soldiers including the driver, commander, gunner and 8 infantrymen. In option, the vehicle could be equipped with add-on armor to increase ballistic and mine protection.