DEFEA 2025: Local production of French VBCI Philoctetes IFV could support Greece's mechanized force renewal.

At the 2025 DEFEA defence exhibition in Athens, KNDS France formally presented the VBCI Philoctetes, an upgraded version of its 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle platform, developed with the involvement of Greek industrial partners. This platform is being offered to the Hellenic Army as part of a comprehensive procurement and industrial cooperation proposal. The offer includes the delivery of 280 new Philoctetes Mk II vehicles, together with 88 refurbished VBCI Mk I vehicles retired from the French Army. These used units would be upgraded by KNDS France before delivery. The Philoctetes program is part of a broader framework of Franco-Greek defence cooperation and aligns with the European Union’s ReArm Europe initiative, which supports local defence production within member states.
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The Philoctetes, based on the VBCI Mk II, is an upgraded evolution of the VBCI Mk I, developed in response to operational feedback and specific requirements of the Hellenic Army. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The VBCI Philoctetes is based on the original VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie), the French Army’s wheeled IFV developed by Nexter, now operating under KNDS. Since entering service in 2008, 630 VBCIs have been delivered to the French Army, including 510 infantry fighting variants and 120 command post versions. The VBCI Mk I is a wheeled 8×8 vehicle weighing between 28.5 and 32 tonnes depending on configuration. It is 7.6 meters long and 3 meters high, has a crew of two, and can transport up to nine dismounted troops. Its armament includes a 25mm automatic cannon capable of 400 rounds per minute and a 12.7mm machine gun. Powered by a 550-horsepower Volvo D12 turbo diesel engine, the vehicle reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h and has an operational range of 750 kilometers. Armor protection is rated against calibres up to 14.5mm.

The Philoctetes Mk II is an upgraded evolution of the VBCI Mk I, developed in response to operational feedback and specific requirements of the Hellenic Army. It integrates a remotely operated T40 turret armed with a 40mm CTA cannon, featuring a maximum effective range of 2,500 meters and a firing rate of up to 200 rounds per minute. It also includes two Akeron MP anti-tank missile launchers, and provisions for a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. The platform has been adapted with a 600-horsepower engine, an upgraded protection system scalable to STANAG 4569 Level 5, and updated electronics compatible with battlefield management systems. It accommodates a crew of three and can carry eight or nine infantry soldiers depending on configuration. The turret has 360-degree traverse, and the vehicle can cross 1.2-meter-deep water obstacles without preparation. The total combat weight is approximately 31 to 32 tonnes, with a payload capacity of 13 tonnes.

KNDS France signed a strategic agreement with Greek industrial group Metlen Energy & Metals on 26 March 2025 to enable local production of the Philoctetes platform. Metlen will be responsible for manufacturing welded chassis structures using aluminium armor and performing final integration of key components. The production will take place in Volos, where Metlen is constructing a new facility expected to be operational by 2026 and has acquired two additional industrial sites. Metlen is already involved in the Leopard 2 tank production through its collaboration with KNDS Deutschland and has worked for nearly three decades in defence export manufacturing. This agreement represents the first time KNDS France has entered into a production partnership of this scale for 8×8 armored vehicles. According to KNDS, the industrial cooperation will satisfy Greece’s offset policy, which requires at least 25% of defence contracts to be executed locally, potentially reaching 30%.

Additional Greek industrial partners are integrated into the program. SARACAKIS will provide maintenance services aimed at maximizing fleet availability. Other companies such as MILTECH HELLAS and MEVACO will contribute to the supply chain. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) will assist with quality control, testing, and acceptance phases throughout the program. Cypriot company Nemos Strategy LTD submitted a support proposal to the Hellenic Army General Staff on 22 January 2025, which includes long-term maintenance, component replacement, updates to electronic systems, and training of Greek maintenance personnel. These services are designed to maintain operational readiness and reduce dependence on external support.

The VBCI Philoctetes is proposed in multiple variants, including ambulance, recovery vehicle, command post, and a version with Thales’ 2R2M 120mm mortar. The Philoctetes was displayed at DEFEA 2025 and has been evaluated during previous demonstrations, including DEFEA 2021, a live-fire and mobility test at Canjuers in April 2023, and the joint Franco-Greek “Olympic Cooperation 23” and “Olympic Cooperation 24” exercises, where it operated alongside Greek Leopard 2 HEL tanks. KNDS France had previously signed a separate cooperation agreement with Hellenic Defence Systems (EAS) in April 2022, outlining Greek participation in subsystem production, final assembly, and long-term support if the platform is selected.

As previously reported by Army Recognition, the Greek Army General Staff (GES) has received a “package” proposal from KNDS France, which now involves the sale of 280 new Philoctetes Mk II IFVs and 88 upgraded VBCI Mk I vehicles from French Army stocks. The proposal also includes ammunition stocks, maintenance, and operational support, with financing options available through French banks. The Greek Armed Forces have not renewed their mechanized infantry vehicles since the early 2000s and are evaluating several options to address capability gaps caused by aging platforms. The KNDS proposal is under political review, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expected to make a decision. The vehicle’s estimated cost is approximately 10 million euros per unit. Alternative proposals include a U.S. offer of 300 surplus M2A2 Bradley IFVs and a modernization package by the Israeli company Rafael in cooperation with Greek firm METKA for M-113 upgrades.

KNDS France considers a potential Greek order as the first export of the VBCI platform. Previous export discussions, such as a proposal to Qatar for 490 vehicles, have not resulted in sales. The current offer positions Greece as both a customer and a regional production center. According to the company’s CEO Nicolas Chamussy, the industrial plan allows compliance with Greek offset requirements and supports regional job creation and defence manufacturing capacity.