“Transformative Tales: The French Army’s Journey Through Canjuers During SCORPION Days”

The inaugural units of the SCORPION project were obtained in 2019. Since then, significant investments have been funneled into the final assembly plant of KNDS France in Roanne, elevating production capability from 92 to 300 units per year—a remarkable threefold increase in just five years. The objective is to reach 450 units annually for all models within the initiative. Moreover, KNDS France oversees all machining operations related to protection and integration.

          The SCORPION fleet’s adaptability continues to be a key advantage a decade after the program’s launch. Initially, only three versions of the GRIFFON were expected; presently, the lineup has expanded to six. In this frame, the introduction of the GRIFFON MEPAC (Mounted Mortar for Close Support) took place at the end of 2024. The MEPAC is poised to demonstrate its firepower during a tactical showcase at SCORPION Days. Additionally, the GRIFFON Medical Evacuation variant, which significantly boosts the ability to transport critically injured soldiers compared to the older VAB SAN, is currently in the rollout phase.

SCORPION: a noteworthy modernization for the French Armed Forces

The industrial partners of the SCORPION project persist in supplying the French Army with cutting-edge ground capabilities, including sophisticated communication systems compatible with Syracuse IV. The EBMR Temporary coalition (GME EBMR) has adeptly integrated the first stations associated with this next-generation satellite network, delivering unmatched communication reliability and high data transfer rates, whether stationary or in motion. All adaptation kits from the initial order have been successfully completed.

SCORPION is also enhanced by modifications informed by operational experiences from GRIFFON deployments in the Sahel and Eastern Europe. These enhancements, referred to as Increment 2, focus on bolstering vehicle durability, ergonomic improvements, and stealth enhancements. Qualification tests are slated for Q2 and Q3 of this year, with new vehicles incorporating these improvements expected to launch in 2026.

SCORPION’s armored platforms are fundamentally crafted to integrate the SCORPION Combat Information System (SICS), which facilitates real-time digitization of the battlefield and collaborative combat by allowing units to exchange tactical data instantaneously.

To fully leverage these new combat functionalities, the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB) has emerged as the first fully “SCORPIONized” combined arms brigade (BIA).

During the landmark BIA23 exercise, the GME EBMR consortium played a crucial role in upgrading and supplying vehicles, enabling the groundbreaking deployment of advanced artillery targeting (VOA) and satellite communication (EPC) capabilities during the exercises. This year has seen an expedited delivery of VOA vehicles, equipped with the latest targeting technology enhancements. These units are set to replace older VAB OBS models, substantially strengthening France’s artillery capabilities in accordance with lessons learned from recent conflicts.

JAGUAR, GRIFFON, SERVAL: an unmatched technological leap      
        35 JAGUAR vehicles were delivered in 2024. The JAGUAR has now been fully validated and deployed at the R2 standard, enabling comprehensive use of its digitized 40mm turret designed by KNDS France, including mobile fire-on-the-move capabilities. The R3 standard, anticipated for validation in 2025, will introduce real-time missile redirection functionalities and airburst munitions, which have just entered their final development phase under the supervision of the French defense procurement agency (DGA).

         151 GRIFFON units were delivered in 2024. Offered in various versions, the GRIFFON is capable of executing multiple roles, including troop transport, command post, communications relay, medical evacuation, artillery observation, and 120mm mortar support (MEPAC).

The GRIFFON was initially deployed in 2021 in the Sahel, where it quickly garnered praise for its operational effectiveness, mobility, and ease of maintenance. It shares standard equipment with other SCORPION vehicles, which includes vetronics and HORNET remote-controlled turrets from ARQUUS.

The CaMo program (Capacité Motorisée) is progressing as planned. The assembly of Belgium’s GRIFFON vehicles commenced in early 2025 at the Mol Cy facility in Belgium, with initial deliveries scheduled for July 2025. The first JAGUAR deliveries to Belgium are expected in late 2026.

103 SERVAL units were delivered in 2024. An agreement finalized by the DGA in late 2024 extends production to an extra 627 SERVAL vehicles and introduces two new variants: 

• Counter-drone warfare, equipped with the ARX30 turret (KNDS France).
• Ground-based air defense MISTRAL, fitted with the ATLAS RC turret (MBDA).

         KNDS France and Texelis have developed the SERVAL based on a shared core chassis, producing four versions and 16 major variants, addressing a wide array of missions, including Electronic Warfare, Armored Patrol Vehicle, Tactical Communication Node, and Surveillance, Support, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance.

By the end of 2024, the French Army had acquired the 34th upgraded Leclerc tank, part of the 200 currently undergoing modernization.

An international display for the SCORPION project

         International delegations attending SCORPION Days will have the chance to broaden their understanding of the initiative via discussion forums organized by the French Army. Topics will include:

• Evolving doctrine
• Organization of digitized units
• Operational impacts of SCORPION vehicles
• Interoperability
• Vehicle support and logistics, an essential aspect of the program from the outset

        These shared insights and operational feedback will enrich discussions, offering a crucial perspective on the future of land warfare.