VBCI

VBCI
VBCI
	French Army VBCI in 2021
Type	Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	2008–present
Used by	France
Wars	War in Afghanistan ; Operation Serval
Production history
Designer	GIAT Industries; Renault Trucks Defense
Designed	2000–2007
Manufacturer	GIAT Industries; Renault Trucks Defense
Unit cost	VCI: €3.49m (FY2012) ; VPC: €2.74m (FY2012)
Produced	2008–2018
No. built	630 (510 VCI and 120 VPC)
Specifications
Mass	VCI: 28.5 t–32 t (normal combat load); VPC: 28.5 t–32 t (normal combat load)
Length	7.6 m
Width	2.98 m
Height	3 m
Crew	2 + 9-man combat group
Armour	Protection against 14.5 mm API
Main; armament	GIAT modèle M811 25 mm autocannon (400 rounds/ minute)
Secondary; armament	co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun
Engine	Renault Diesel; 550 hp (410 kW)
Suspension	Wheel
Operational; range	750 km (470 mi)
Maximum speed	100 km/h (62 mph)

The véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie (English: armoured infantry fighting vehicle) or VBCI is a French Infantry fighting vehicle designed and manufactured by GIAT Industries (now Nexter Systems) and Renault Trucks Defense (now Arquus) to replace the AMX-10P.^[4] The first units entered active service with the French Army in 2008. 630 units were ordered and full delivery was completed in 2018. They are available in two core variants, the VCI infantry fighting vehicle and the VPC command post vehicle.

The VBCI is built on an aluminium hull which carries a modular THD steel and titanium armour that can be replaced in the field. The 8x8 wheeled design was chosen to make the VBCI more comfortable as well as easier and less costly to maintain on war theaters than a tracked vehicle would be, while giving it sufficient mobility to complement the Leclerc tank. The VBCI is also designed to be transportable by the Airbus A400M.

^ ^a ^b Cite error: The named reference Francebudget2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Dossier: VBCI" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
^ "GTD y NEXTER Systems firman un acuerdo de colaboración para el desarrollo del Futuro Vehículo Blindado 8x8". Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
^ Jane's international defense review: IDR., Volume 37, Issues 1-6. Jane's Information Group. 2004. Retrieved 14 February 2011. It had therefore confined itself to wheeled vehicles in the VBM program and concentrated after 1996 on the development of a single 8x8 IFV, the Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI).

[Francebudget2012-1] Cite error: The named reference Francebudget2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Dossier_:_VBCI-2] "Dossier: VBCI" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2010.

[:0-3] "GTD y NEXTER Systems firman un acuerdo de colaboración para el desarrollo del Futuro Vehículo Blindado 8x8". Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 18 September 2009.

[Janes-4] Jane's international defense review: IDR., Volume 37, Issues 1-6. Jane's Information Group. 2004. Retrieved 14 February 2011. It had therefore confined itself to wheeled vehicles in the VBM program and concentrated after 1996 on the development of a single 8x8 IFV, the Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie (VBCI).

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