FN Herstal and Nexter Forge Exciting New Alliance for Future Innovations

FN Herstal, a Belgian division of the Herstal Group, alongside the French consortium Nexter, declared on September 2, 2020, that they have entered into a strategic agreement under the CaMo (Capacité Motorisée, Motorized Capability) initiative to enhance the Belgian Army’s ground mobility capabilities.

This agreement entails the manufacturing and provision by FN Herstal of cutting-edge deFNder remote weapon stations intended for installation on Griffon multi-role armored vehicles (VBMR), which will be delivered by France to the Belgian Army from 2025 to 2030.

The accord between FN Herstal and Nexter, the primary contractor in the French consortium managing the program, stems from the intergovernmental pact of November 2018 between France and Belgium, reinforcing their commitment to forge a lasting strategic partnership in the domain of ground mobility.

The agreement also encompasses the delivery to the French Army of identical weapon stations for its Leclerc tank enhancement strategy (Leclerc XLR) as part of the Scorpion initiative.

Consequently, this could pave the way for forthcoming opportunities linked to Nexter’s global initiatives and maintenance agreements.

This recent achievement reinforces the significance of FN Herstal’s diversification strategy and technological advancements, upheld for over a decade through its integrated weapon systems across Land, Air, and Sea. It solidifies the company’s standing in high-value offerings that utilize a spectrum of technologies, fostering quality job creation.

Currently, FN Herstal’s integrated weapon systems division hires more than two hundred personnel at the Herstal site, in addition to supporting work for Belgian subcontractors.

Philippe Claessens, CEO of the Herstal Group (FN Herstal – Browning), stated: “This agreement marks a strategically vital progression in the Herstal Group’s expansion strategy, allowing us to forge a highly significant Franco-Belgian partnership aimed at developing a European Defense capability.”

The deFNder Medium represents a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) meticulously designed, developed, and produced by the Belgian defense firm FN Herstal. Capitalizing on its extensive firearms proficiency, FN Herstal has created a comprehensive range of remote weapon stations branded as deFNder. The deFNder Medium can be equipped with an FN M2/M3 12.7mm machine gun and a 40mm grenade launcher. This system can be integrated into various tracked or wheeled armored vehicles, along with light tactical vehicles, enabling fire from within the vehicle’s protective armor. Additionally, the turret has successfully undergone testing with a 30mm automatic cannon mounted on a UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle). The deFNder Medium is capable of executing numerous missions including self-defense, infantry support, and combat operations—also in urban settings—when affixed to light, medium, or heavy vehicles, along with surveillance, reconnaissance, escort duties, checkpoint operations, perimeter protection, and much more.