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[[Image:VIB 012 FR.JPG|thumb|VIB 20 mm turret variant]]
[[Image:VIB 012 FR.JPG|thumb|VIB 20 mm turret variant]]
[[Image:VAB Mephisto.JPEG|thumb|Mephisto anti-tank missile variant]]
[[Image:VAB Mephisto.JPEG|thumb|Mephisto anti-tank missile variant]]
⚫
[[Image:VBRG 501590 fh000024.jpg|thumb|The [[VXB]] VBRG Gendarmerie version being replaced by the VAB Variant]]


Variants may be 4x4 or 6x6 wheels. The French military mainly uses 4-wheel versions, with the Engineers Corps (Génie) having 6-wheels versions with enhanced amphibious capabilities. Export versions are also 6x6's.
Variants may be 4×4 or 6×6 wheels. The French military mainly uses 4-wheel versions, with the Engineers Corps (Génie) having 6-wheels versions with enhanced amphibious capabilities. Export versions are also 6×6s.


* VAB VTT: 4x4 APC version, crew of two and ten passengers
* VAB VTT: 4x4 APC version, crew of two and ten passengers
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* VAB AZURE: Urban warfare vehicle equipped with a dozer blade and with panoramic periscopes to observe and monitor.
* VAB AZURE: Urban warfare vehicle equipped with a dozer blade and with panoramic periscopes to observe and monitor.
* [[VBC-90]]: Armoured car variant in service with the [[Mobile Gendarmerie]]
* [[VBC-90]]: Armoured car variant in service with the [[Mobile Gendarmerie]]
⚫
Versions reserved for export:


⚫
Versions reserved for export:
* VCAC UTM800: Export model anti-tank vehicle, carries the Euromissile UTM800 turret, with four ready-to-launch HOT missiles, and 16 more in reserve. In service with Qatar and Cyprus
* VCAC UTM800: Export model anti-tank vehicle, carries the Euromissile UTM800 turret, with four ready-to-launch HOT missiles, and 16 more in reserve. In service with Qatar and Cyprus
* VAB Vehicle: Maintenance vehicle (with crane)
* VAB Vehicle: Maintenance vehicle (with crane)
* VAB workshop
* VAB workshop


⚫
[[Image:VBRG 501590 fh000024.jpg|thumb|The [[VXB]] VBRG Gendarmerie version being replaced by the VAB Variant]]
The [[French Gendarmerie]] also uses a variant of the VAB, which replaced the [[VXB]], called [[VBRG]] (''Véhicule Blindé de Reconnaissance de la Gendarmerie'') for [[riot control]]. This version may be equipped with a [[water cannon]] and/or a [[bulldozer]] blade.
The [[French Gendarmerie]] also uses a variant of the VAB, which replaced the [[VXB]], called [[VBRG]] (''Véhicule Blindé de Reconnaissance de la Gendarmerie'') for [[riot control]]. This version may be equipped with a [[water cannon]] and/or a [[bulldozer]] blade.


Revision as of 07:05, 9 May 2008

Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
A VAB carrier during a Bastille Day celebration in Paris, France
TypeArmoured personnel carrier
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1976 to date
Specifications
Mass13 Mg (13 tonnes)
Length5.98 m
Width2.49 m
Height2.06 m
Crew2
Main
armament
1 × AA52 7.62 mm machine gun
Secondary
armament
-
EngineRenault MIDR 062045
224 kW (300 hp)
Power/weight17 W/kg (23 hp/t)
Payload capacity10 troops
Suspensionwheeled
Operational
range
1,000 km
Maximum speed 92 km/h

The Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé or VAB ("Armoured Vanguard Vehicle" in French) is an armoured personnel carrier designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976 and around 5000 were produced. They are amphibious (propelled in the water by two water jets mounted one either side of hull rear), NBC-proof, have excellent off-road capabilities, and can be configured in numerous versions. Modern versions of the VAB have had more than 1,000 improvements compared to the initial version. In 2003, Renault Trucks Défense took over marketing the VAB, as part of a commercial agreement with GIAT.

Combat history

VABs have been deployed in virtually all theatres where French infantry troops were present, notably Kuwait, the Ivory Coast, Yugoslavia, and Chad. VABs belonging to the Royal Moroccan Army ( FAR ) have seen heavy combat during the conflict with Polisario rebels of the Western Sahara.

Operators

Variants

VOA artillery spotting variant
VIB 20 mm turret variant
Mephisto anti-tank missile variant
The VXB VBRG Gendarmerie version being replaced by the VAB Variant

Variants may be 4×4 or 6×6 wheels. The French military mainly uses 4-wheel versions, with the Engineers Corps (Génie) having 6-wheels versions with enhanced amphibious capabilities. Export versions are also 6×6s.

  • VAB VTT: 4x4 APC version, crew of two and ten passengers
  • VAB T-20/13: VAB equipped with a turret mounted 20 mm gun recovered from old AMX-13 VCIs and refurbished and intended for fire support and for counter sniping
  • VIB: IFV version fitted with a 20 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine-gun. Used by the French Air Force for airfield defense
  • VAB VOA: Artillery observation vehicle
  • VAB RATAC: Radar Artillery target acquisition vehicle, carries a doppler radar with a range of 20 km
  • VAB RASIT: Reconnaissance vehicle, carries the RASIT ground surveillance radar
  • VAB PC: Command vehicle
  • VAB SIR: Digital regimental C4ISTAR information system
  • VAB Bromure: Electronic warfare vehicle
  • VAB Echelon: Maintenance and repair vehicle
  • VAB Génie: Engineering vehicle
  • VCAC Mephisto: Anti-tank vehicle, carries the Euromissile Mephisto system with four ready-to-fire HOT anti-tank missiles and eight more in reserve
  • VTM 120: Mortar towing vehicle, can carry 70 bombs for the Thomson-Brandt 120mm mortar
  • VPM 81: Mortar carrier with an 81mm mortar firing through a roof opening
  • VAB SAN: Armoured ambulance
  • VAB Reco: NBC reconnaissance vehicle
  • VAB ATLAS: Artillery fire command and control vehicle
  • VAB AZURE: Urban warfare vehicle equipped with a dozer blade and with panoramic periscopes to observe and monitor.
  • VBC-90: Armoured car variant in service with the Mobile Gendarmerie

Versions reserved for export:

  • VCAC UTM800: Export model anti-tank vehicle, carries the Euromissile UTM800 turret, with four ready-to-launch HOT missiles, and 16 more in reserve. In service with Qatar and Cyprus
  • VAB Vehicle: Maintenance vehicle (with crane)
  • VAB workshop

The French Gendarmerie also uses a variant of the VAB, which replaced the VXB, called VBRG (Véhicule Blindé de Reconnaissance de la Gendarmerie) for riot control. This version may be equipped with a water cannon and/or a bulldozer blade.

Weapon systems

Current:

Future:

  • In early May 2008, Renault Trucks Defence signed an eight-year contract with Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway, for equipping the VAB with subsidiary Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace's Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station.[1]

Gallery

  • Medical evacuation version
    Medical evacuation version
  • Inside view of the medical evacuation version
    Inside view of the medical evacuation version
  • version with 12.7 mm machine gun
    version with 12.7 mm machine gun
  • detail of propeller for amphibious operation
    detail of propeller for amphibious operation

References

  1. ^ Weapon Control Systems framework agreement with France – Kongsberg Gruppen press release, 02.05.2008
  • "Vehicle recognition (friendly armor): Light armored vehicle identification". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2008-01-11.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé.
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