“VBAE Achieves Milestone: A Bold New Beginning”

Montrouge, December 6, 2023 – The partnership between Arquus and Nexter, a subsidiary of KNDS; along with the Organisation for Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR) has finalized the pre-design agreement for the VBAE (Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement).

OCCAR, the European intergovernmental agency dedicated to managing collaborative defense procurement contracts, has been assigned the responsibility of establishing and overseeing the program. This agreement signifies the initial phase towards aligning the operational needs and design framework of this upcoming armored vehicle, which is anticipated to be developed and manufactured for the French and Belgian armed forces by 2030.

The VBAE is the outcome of a close partnership among the industry, OCCAR, and the nations involved, aimed at replacing the VBL (Light Armoured Vehicle) for France, which has been operational within French forces since the late 1980s. For Belgium, the VBAE will enhance its motorized capabilities by bolstering its reconnaissance and command and control functions. The VBAE is designed to be a multifaceted system adaptable for a variety of missions. A strong focus will be placed on key performance aspects such as mobility, stealth, protection, and combat capabilities. It will integrate compactness with an optimized payload capacity.

The realization of the project will be guaranteed by the Consortium led by Arquus and its partner Nexter, who will delegate some of its tasks to the Belgian firm John Cockerill Defense (JCD). This collaboration, beginning in the pre-design stage, embodies the intention for Franco-Belgian industrial synergy within a significant armaments program.

The VBAE initiative aligns seamlessly with the FAMOUS project, supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF) financed through the European Commission. FAMOUS (Future highly mobile Augmented ArMOUred Systems) encompasses the creation of advanced technological components common to future European armored vehicles. Arquus, Nexter, and JCD are key contributors within this FAMOUS initiative.

The commencement of the VBAE project signifies the beginning of an ambitious and pioneering collaboration. The teams from Arquus, Nexter, and JCD are entirely dedicated and optimistic about the success of this venture.