“France Bolsters Defense with 530 Cutting-Edge Serval Appui SCORPION Armored Vehicles”
Paris, February 8, 2025 – The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) issued a substantial order on December 31, 2024, for 530 Serval Appui SCORPION armored vehicles intended for the French Armed Forces. Shipments are anticipated to commence at the end of 2025 and extend through 2031.
This acquisition, valued at over one billion Euros, signifies a considerable investment in enhancing the capabilities of the French Armed Forces. It will mainly benefit local defense manufacturers, including KNDS France (operating in Satory, Bourges, and Roanne), TEXELIS (Limoges), MBDA (Plessis Robinson and Bourges), and CS GROUP (Plessis Robinson and Toulon).
The Serval Appui SCORPION, engineered for high-intensity warfare, builds upon the established performance and military characteristics of the Serval armored platform. Additionally, this order encompasses 97 extra Serval vehicles, elevating the total number of Serval and Serval Appui SCORPION units to 627.
This procurement is part of the Multipurpose Light Tactical Vehicle (VLTP) initiative and aligns with the 2024-2030 military programming legislation (LPM). It also enhances the Surface Air Low Layer Defense and Anti-Drone Warfare initiatives, which aim to develop ground-to-air defense and anti-drone operational systems, respectively.
The Serval Appui SCORPION’s fortified armor and integration within the SCORPION framework will bolster Army units functioning in combat zones, within the Joint Brigade and division, providing vital command, logistical support, and sustainability capabilities. The vehicle ensures elevated levels of mobility, protection, autonomy, and deployment capacity, along with modularity and innovative high-value functions.
This procurement addresses essential capability deficiencies, modernizing:
- Ground-to-Air Defense: A specialized variant of the Serval will be outfitted with a turret capable of launching Mistral 3 ground-to-air missiles while armored.
- Anti-Drone Warfare: Another type of Serval will be equipped with integrated radar, radio frequency detection, a fire control mechanism, a 30x113mm cannon mounted on a turret, and specialized munitions.
- Tactical Communication Node: A dedicated model will offer SYRACUSE IV satellite, radio, and communication service capabilities.
This order for 530 Serval Appui SCORPION vehicles represents phase 3 of the VLTP program. Phase 1 resulted in the provision of 4,380 VT4 vehicles, and phase 2 involved an order for 103 unprotected medical vehicles.
