GENERAL   EQUIPMENT   INC.                    

Units reconditioned with air condition in our workshop

 France
APC – 5000+ built

The proverbial French wheeled APC

The VAB in brief

VAB means “Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé”, literally “Vanguard Armoured Vehicle” which does not tells that it was an armored personnel carrier and the most prolific of the French Army by far. 5000+ indeed has been built since its introduction in 1976, both in 4×4 and 6×6 configuration, declined into 35 variants and exported to 15 countries over time. With 3,900 vehicles the French Army is the largest operator of the type, and now most vehicles are modernized while there is a second generation VAB (called Mk.II) currently developed for escort.

The VAB design has been influential for several other vehicles of the same category, like the American Textron M1117 ASV, Indonesian Pindad Panseror Chinese WZ551.

Development

Contrary to the previous tracked AMX-VCI of the 1960s, the VAB was meant to be fast and therefore after the success of the Swiss Piranha family, the solution of a wheeled vehicle was chosen. The Army specifications published in 1974 asked for an amphibious vehicle, NBC protected by lightly armored, and complementing the tracked AMX-10P as the main army APC in case of a conventional war with the Warsaw pact (the amphibious capability would then play its full when crossing the numerous rivers in eastern France and Germany).

In 1973, several designs were presented from various manufacturers. At the end, only two designs match the requirement, one by Panhard and one by Saviem/Renault. Eventually, the latter won, as its design was chosen in May 1974 followed by an order for 4000 vehicles. The first delivery came in 1976 and was followed by the delivery rate of 30 to 40 units a month. From 1998 these vehicles underwent series of upgrades collectively known as VAB Valorisé or “Valo”. In 1990 a new model was developed called VAB NG (“New Generation”).

The marketing takeover of GIAT by Renault Trucks Defence was followed by a presentation at Eurosatory 2010 of the heavier VAB Mk.II, roomier and with a Level 4 protection (also mines and IEDs), meant for export. The VAB is scheduled to be replaced by the Scorpion program’s Véhicule Blindé Multirole (VBMR) Griffon, at the horizon 2019, taken over by Nexter, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales (€752 million development phase signed in November 2015).

Design

Protection and arrangements

Contrary to the wedge-shaped MOWAG Piranha, and like the Soviet BTR series or the contemporary German Fuchs, the VAB has regular windows and broken nose, on which was stored the usual trim vane raised for amphibious operations. The hull was entirely made of rolled homogenous steel, with a standard compartmentation for such vehicle: Left-side driver and right gunner at the front, left-side engine, right-side reserved for storage and passageway to the rear compartment large enough for eight infantry seated on inward-facing, foldable benches, with an exit through rear armoured doors with bulletproof windows.

The crew entered the vehicle through two lateral hatches above the front axle, while exit was facilitated by two additional hatches in the roof. Vision comprised the two front windows and two of smaller sides in the hatches, all heated and bulletproof, and given folding armored panels with a vision slit.

The rear compartment also had windows protected by folding panels. The armor was about 6-8mm thick and sloped with a central spine to protect against small arms fire and shrapnel at all angles. 1990s upgrades will also comprise MEXAS composite armor and improved mine protection.

Mobility

The VAB’s 13 tonnes allows the vehicle to be airlifted, a crucial tactical advantage, completed by its amphibious capabilities. In that area, the trim vane is erected, bilge pumps activated. Depending if the option is present the wheels are used to provide this mobility, or two water-jets fitted with a deflector for steering and reverse thrust, hydraulically controlled by a joystick mounted on the dashboard. The engine was the Renault Truck MIDR 062045 235 kW (320 hp) water-cooled turbocharged 6-cylinder turbodiesel which gave a 17 W/kg (23 hp/t) power to weight ratio. The 1976-1983 series were given the MAN D.2356 HM 72 in-line, water-cooled, 6-cylinder diesel which gave 220 hp at 2,200 rpm. It came either in 4×4 or 6×6 depending on versions. The 6×6 with its big wheels had an extra mobility guarantee in case of a mine blast.

Top speed was about 90 kph to 110 kph on flat, 8 kph in water for a top operational range of about 1000 km to 1200 km thanks to 310 liters capacity. As shown by trials the VAB could negotiate up to 60% slopes, 30% side grades. Optional equipment comprised water-jets, an air conditioning system, NBC protection system, passive night vision, front winch (7,000 kg cap.) and 60m steel cable, armored grenade thrower hood, gun/observation port, gas dispenser, or a public address system (for crowd control).

Armament

We can’t approach this chapter without peeking into the numerous variants the vehicle is known for. The basic APC, which constitutes the bulk of the models in service is armed with either a Browning cal.50 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun or the standard French AA-52 7.62mm light machine-gun or the NATO equivalent Herstal GMPG and others at export. The gunner is protected by an open turret (large frontal shield, side and rear armour up to the shoulders) and the two halves of the hatch doors when raised. Not an optimal protection, the Mk.II introduced in that area remote-controlled weapons stations rather than a fully enclosed turret.

Exports

The VAB since its introduction has been sold to 14 countries, and two more operators used it.
These are Brunei, Chad, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Lebanon (Internal Security Forces), Mauritius, Morocco (400), Oman, Qatar, The United Arab Emirates and Italy.
In addition, it has been used by Georgian HQ units (ISAF) in the Kabul area and also by the Amal Movement (1983-1990) through captures (Lebanon).

Active service

The VAB followed the French Infantry in all theatres where it was deployed, which includes Kuwait, the Côte d’Ivoire, Yugoslavia, and Chad. Royal Moroccan Army’s VABs saw combat with Polisario rebels (Western Sahara). French VABs operated with ISAF in Afghanistan. One survived an RPG hit in the Uzbin valley ambush but a gunner was later killed when the VAB rolled over when the road collapsed while a driver was killed by a rocket attack during the battle of Alasay in In March 2009.