2020: Arquus Shatters Records in Industrial Repair Excellence
The goals of Private Industrial Repairs (PIR) were successfully achieved for Arquus in 2020. The production targets not only reached fulfillment but also expanded across various initiatives throughout the year. The industrial framework has exhibited its robustness throughout the year, benefiting the armed forces by minimizing downtime due to the emerging health situation and adjusting the operational schedule to align with requirements.
The year 2020 stands out as an extraordinary period for Arquus’ support endeavors. Collectively considering all initiatives, the company has accomplished the refurbishment of 508 vehicles this year, in addition to over 2,500 components. These efforts constituted nearly 30% of Arquus’ overall industrial workload, a segment that continues to grow annually.
These achievements can be attributed to the commitment made by Arquus’ repair teams throughout the year across various sites and programs. They also underscore the trust-based relationship between Arquus, SIMMT (the Integrated Structure responsible for maintaining all army equipment), and SMITer, ultimately enhancing fleet uptime.
Since 2014, the Arquus facility in Limoges has been tasked with the industrial refurbishment of GBC180s. Developed as an upgrade of the GBC8KT from Berliet, the GBC180 is central to the Army’s logistics, with 5,000 vehicles operational in 2021. Over time, the site has cultivated specialized expertise in GBC180 renovations, gained through close collaboration with SMITer teams. The current setup, which is adaptable to institutional needs, features ten workstations.
The original goal for the year 2020 was to refurbish 125 vehicles. In spite of the escalation of the health crisis and a six-week halt for safety precautions, the aim was sustained in coordination with SIMMT to provide optimal support to the military during the peak of the crisis. The first 30 GBC180s were delivered to the armed forces in April 2020 and were subsequently deployed for operations. Beyond these 125 refurbishments, Arquus also undertook, at the request of SIMMT, minor repairs on an additional 13 GBC180s, which were also completed at the Limoges site.
As of 2019, 150 vehicles had been provided, in accordance with commitments. With this new round, the cumulative number of GBC180s refurbished in Limoges surpasses 675 since 2015 and the initial deliveries.
The Marolles-en-Hurepoix facility is also playing a role in the GBC180 refurbishment activities, handling mechanical parts, including transfer cases. The initial repair target of 150 transfer cases remained intact despite health challenges and was later increased upon SIMMT’s request. Despite the COVID situation, 160 transfer cases were refurbished and returned to the armed forces before the year concluded.
Since 2004, Marolles has been involved in repairing mechanical components (engines, axles, gearboxes, transfer cases, etc.) for the VBLs and PVPs of the French Army. These operations, conducted in collaboration with the SMITer branch at Marolles, guarantee the complete refurbishment of over 500 components annually.
Marolles has also undertaken the refurbishment of complete PVPs since 2018, with 44 vehicles processed in 2020. The plant’s teams volunteered to work on the PVP renovation line on November 11, 2020, to expedite their availability for the forces amid sustained operational demands. These activities, scheduled to extend until 2026, are currently transitioning to the Saint-Nazaire facility.
Since 2006 and the establishment of the Operational Maintenance Center (Centre de Maintien en Condition Opérationnelle, CMCO) at a former military site in Garchizy, Arquus has been ensuring, in partnership with the SMITer antenna at CMCO, comprehensive repair services for the VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé) for the benefit of the forces. With 135 projects executed throughout the year, the site successfully delivered its 1,000th refurbished VAB in 2020.
Since late 2019, at SIMMT’s request, to facilitate the maintenance of the training fleet and alleviate the manpower of the regiments, Arquus has undertaken newer, more operational services. These initiatives, which have addressed 112 VABs in 2020, are expected to expand, with a target of 230 vehicles supported in 2021.
Arquus also aims to decrease manpower and enhance vehicle uptime by renovating components of VABs. In 2020, the Limoges facility managed the refurbishment of 200 undercarriages, a task that is set to continue in 2021, potentially increasing volumes. These refurbishments are in addition to 600 other conventional repairs, including engines, gearboxes, and transmissions for VABs. This industrial efficiency underscores the plants’ flexibility and capacity to manage a range of new programs simultaneously.
Arquus can customize vehicle refurbishments according to client preferences, offering everything from minor repairs (brakes, oil changes, filters, belts…) to extensive overhauls (parts replacements, renovations, or enhancements). These capabilities guarantee the enduring support of equipment in service, including legacy vehicles.
These new initiatives allow for a more precise alignment with the forces’ requirements, with timelines from 200 hours for light refurbishments up to 800 hours for a complete overhaul.
Since 2014, Garchizy has also been responsible for deep curative maintenance (Maintenance Curative Profonde, MCP) of the CBH385, executed in close collaboration with the Operational Energy Service (Service de l’Energie Opérationnelle, formerly Service des Essences des Armées, SEA). Initially set for 40 vehicles, the series has been expanded to cover 50 trucks, the last of which was showcased in the final quarter of 2020. These MCP processes have restored significant capability to vehicles of vital importance in external operations, to the satisfaction of the forces.
Finally, 10 TRM10000CLDs were refurbished at the Garchizy facility in 2020, out of a target of 12 vehicles set for the year. This operation, in collaboration with the 12th BSMAT in Neuvy-Pailloux, is presently being transitioned to Saint-Nazaire.
In Saint-Nazaire, 33 VLRAs were designated for refurbishment in 2020, with the target raised to 37 at the beginning of the year. Despite the COVID challenges, it was decided to maintain this target and even to handle additional VLRAs, offering lighter repairs, totaling 41 vehicles and trailers.
The repair teams faced numerous additional technical challenges and obsolescence issues, which resulted in some delays in achieving this new target. Ultimately, 29 vehicles were handed over to the forces in 2020, with the remaining 12 scheduled for delivery in early 2021. This achievement is attributed to seamless teamwork between Arquus, SIMMT, and the SMITer branch in Marolles, characterized by shared expertise and coordinated resources to ensure the swift return of VLRAs to the units.
Saint-Nazaire is also managing the TRM2000 refurbishment initiative. The TRM2000 Private Industrial Repair program is the 7th truck support program backed by Arquus, following the six PIR programs encompassed within the MSSPL (Heavy Truck In-Service Support Market) contract. It is the result of close cooperation with SIMMT, SMITer, Bureau Conduite des Contrats et Partenariats Industriels (BCCP), and 13 Base de Soutien du MATériel (BSMAT).
This program focuses on extending the operational lifespan of TRM2000s, which were deployed between 1982 and 1992, and currently possess service lives of 28 to 38 years in the most challenging operational theaters. These tactical vehicles are highly valued by forces for their lightweight, compact design, and mobility. Functional and efficient, they are now designated for overseas units.
and operations.
On January 13, 2020, the initial 15 TRM 2000 units were introduced to the SIMMT and subsequently collected in May 2020 by the RIMAP-NC (Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine du Pacifique – Nouvelle-Calédonie).
For the year 2020, the target was 67 upgraded TRM2000s. A total of 57 were actually presented to the SIMMT after a year of development on the technical oversight and assistance of the vehicle. To offset some obsolescence challenges, a new sampling initiative has been established, ensuring the availability of components for the armed forces and the Arquus support network.
The minor delay in achieving the 2020 targets is expected to be resolved by 2021 to attain the planned 200 TRM2000 units in the program. The 100th TRM2000 was unveiled on January 21, 2021.
Targets for 2020 also included the provision of 6 TRM10000 APD heavy logistics trucks. One vehicle was dispatched to Garchizy, while the remaining five were sent to Saint-Nazaire, adhering to the commitments made. Future repairs for the TRM10000 conducted by Arquus will be executed exclusively at the Saint-Nazaire facility.
The Arquus facility in Saint-Nazaire is currently establishing a new line capable of managing 150 GBC180s annually. By 2022, this line is expected to take over the refurbishment activities presently conducted in Limoges.
With these enhanced capabilities, the Saint-Nazaire location is specializing and evolving into Arquus’ new Center of Expertise for Operational Maintenance. Consequently, the site will oversee all refurbishment activities related to the fleets and vehicles supported by the company, ranging from VBLs to TRM10000s. Simultaneously, the production of new vehicles that was once conducted in Saint-Nazaire will transition to Limoges, with the exception of the VT4 production line.
Private Industrial Repair initiatives play a vital role in the evolution of land maintenance to benefit the armed forces. As part of this transformation, Arquus is assuming a portion of the maintenance duties that were previously handled by the military itself. These activities are conducted in collaboration with the Army, notably with SIMMT and SMITer.
By facilitating the regeneration of equipment for the armed forces and empowering combatants to concentrate on the missions central to their commitment, Arquus is contributing to the realization of the Army’s strategic vision for 2030.
This collaboration prepares for solutions to the significant challenges of tomorrow’s operational maintenance, especially regarding infrastructure capacity, logistics channels, and support organization. Arquus is equipped to address these challenges through its maintenance expertise and obsolescence management initiatives. The company can scale the volume of activities conducted for the Army in alignment with operational demands.
During this particularly unique year, this industrial framework demonstrated its efficiency, agility, and resilience for the Army. These repair initiatives were executed in seamless cooperation with SIMMT, SMITer, and in a genuine relationship of trust.
Currently, Private Industrial Repairs constitute nearly 30% of Arquus’ overall industrial workload. This sector has been steadily increasing since 2014, with the inaugural PIRs performed successfully on GBC180s and CBH385s affirming the significance of such programs.
The essence of PIRs is to equip armies with capabilities through refurbishment instead of acquiring new equipment, by consolidating expertise, resources, and innovative ideas. As a collaboration between SIMMT, EM SMITer, BSMATs, and Arquus, these PIR operations are executed collaboratively, fostering a close partnership, strong connections, and mutual enrichment, all in service of the armed forces.
On the TRM2000, for instance, the enhancement of skills occurred simultaneously at Arquus and the 13th BSMAT, with each entity refurbishing 15 vehicles throughout 2019. Private Industrial Repairs embody the military spirit, balancing ruggedness, boldness, innovation, and the sharing of expertise.
These vehicles, from the GBC180 to the TRM10000, provide unparalleled capabilities that are now essential and irreplaceable in the field, necessitating a dedicated effort from both the institution and the industry while we await their replacement with a new generation of equipment. These vehicles, which are crucial for the Army’s logistics and resources daily, will continue to fulfill this role in future operations post-refurbishment, moving forward where others may not.
Arquus has been a partner of the SIMMT since the signing of the Land Maintenance charter in November 2019. The purpose of this charter is to enhance the relationships between the armed forces and its industrial partners for the benefit of the troops.
