Flash News: France Strengthens Ground Forces with an Order of 530 New Serval 4x4 Armored Vehicles.

On February 8, 2025, the French Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, announced a major defense procurement with the order of 530 additional Serval 4x4 wheeled armored vehicles for the French Army. This significant investment, valued at over one billion euros, is part of the SCORPION program, a long-term initiative aimed at modernizing France’s ground forces with advanced, connected, and highly mobile combat vehicles. The first deliveries are expected to begin at the end of 2025 and will continue until 2031.
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The French Army's Serval 4x4 armored vehicle, a latest-generation multi-role platform developed under the SCORPION program, enhances mobility and battlefield connectivity.  (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

This new order will significantly boost the French defense industry, mobilizing production across key sites in Roanne, Bourges, Limoges, Satory, Plessis-Robinson, and Toulon, as well as an extensive network of subcontractors. The Serval, developed and produced by KNDS- France previously Nexter and Texelis, is a light multi-role armored vehicle (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles – VBMR-L) that plays a crucial role in the SCORPION program, enhancing battlefield mobility, protection, and interoperability through advanced digital systems and networked combat capabilities.

The Serval is a highly mobile and modular armored vehicle designed to operate in reconnaissance, command and control, troop transport, and fire support roles. It is engineered to withstand modern battlefield threats, featuring advanced armor protection against small arms fire, artillery shrapnel, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Its V-shaped hull improves blast resistance, while additional modular armor kits provide scalable protection. The vehicle’s 4x4 wheeled configuration ensures high maneuverability across various terrains, making it suitable for operations in urban, desert, and rugged environments. Furthermore, the Serval is air-transportable by A400M Atlas military aircraft, allowing for rapid deployment in crisis zones.

Several specialized variants of the Serval are being developed to meet specific operational needs. One version will be equipped with a turret-mounted Mistral 3 missile system, providing ground-to-air defense (DSA) against aerial threats. Another, designed for counter-drone warfare (LAD), will feature radar, a radio frequency detection system, a fire control system, and a 30-113 mm automatic cannon, effectively countering unmanned aerial threats. Additionally, a tactical communication node (NCT) variant will integrate SYRACUSE IV satellite communications and advanced radio networking, ensuring secure and efficient battlefield connectivity.

The Serval is fully integrated into the SCORPION Information Communication System (SICS), a next-generation battlefield management system that enhances situational awareness and real-time coordination between units. This digital connectivity significantly increases the operational efficiency of the French Army’s armored forces, ensuring seamless interoperability between Serval and other SCORPION vehicles such as the Griffon VBMR, Jaguar EBRC, and Leclerc XLR main battle tank.

The SCORPION program (Synergie du Contact Renforcée par la Polyvalence et l’Infovalorisation), launched in 2014, is the cornerstone of France’s armored forces modernization strategy. Alongside the Serval, it includes other next-generation vehicles such as the Griffon 6x6 VBMR, replacing the older VAB troop transport vehicles, and the Jaguar EBRC, a reconnaissance and combat vehicle armed with a 40mm CTA cannon and anti-tank missiles. The program also includes the Leclerc XLR, a modernized version of France’s main battle tank, integrating advanced electronics, communications, and battle management systems.

The Serval program was officially launched in 2020, with the first 364 vehicles ordered by the French Army Procurement Agency (DGA). The initial four Serval units were delivered on May 5, 2022, marking the beginning of the vehicle’s entry into service. By 2030, the French Army is expected to field 978 Serval vehicles, with 70 delivered in 2022. The latest order for 530 additional units reinforces France’s long-term commitment to strengthening its land forces and maintaining technological superiority in modern warfare.

With this acquisition, the French Army continues its transformation, equipping its forces with highly mobile, versatile, and digitally connected armored vehicles. As modern conflicts evolve with threats such as drones, electronic warfare, and networked combat operations, the SCORPION program ensures that France remains at the forefront of military innovation. This order reflects not only a strategic investment in defense capabilities but also a strong commitment to supporting the national defense industry, securing jobs, and driving technological advancements in French military engineering.