Infantry Fighting Vehicle
VBCI
The VBCI is a French wheeled 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle developed by Nexter, now KNDS France, Renault Trucks Defense, now Arquus, and Thales. In French Army service since 2008, 630 were ordered and delivery was completed in 2018.
France|KNDS France (Nexter) & Arquus & ThalesWhat Is the VBCI? Overview, History and Development
The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie entered French service in 2008. It weighs 28.5 to 32 t and has a Renault 550 hp diesel, a speed of 100 km/h, a range of about 750 km and a crew of 2 plus up to 9 troops. The main versions are the VCI infantry vehicle with a 25 mm M811 cannon and the VPC command post. The VBCI-2 export and upgrade version has 40 mm CTA (T40) options, a Volvo 600 hp engine and more protection.
Combat use includes Afghanistan, Mali in Operation Serval and Lebanon. Qatar announced in 2017 a plan to buy up to 490 vehicles, but no firm deliveries are confirmed, and 120 VBCI-2 were under negotiation in 2024. The French army plans to upgrade the VBCI to a new standard. Rivals include the Boxer, Patria AMV, Piranha V, Stryker and Puma.
VBCI Specifications: Weight, Armament, Armor and Mobility
VBCI Variants and Versions Compared
The VBCI VCI is the infantry version with a 25 mm M811 cannon.
The VBCI VPC is the command post version.
The VBCI-2 is the export and upgrade version with 40 mm CTA options and a 600 hp Volvo engine.
Which Countries Use the VBCI? Operators and Users
FranceVBCI FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many VBCI does France have?
France ordered 630 VBCI vehicles, and delivery was completed in 2018. The type has been in French Army service since 2008.
How fast is the VBCI?
The VBCI has a top speed of 100 km/h and a range of about 750 km. It weighs 28.5 to 32 t and has a Renault 550 hp diesel.
Which countries use the VBCI?
The VBCI is used by France. Qatar announced in 2017 a plan for up to 490 vehicles, but no firm deliveries are confirmed, and 120 VBCI-2 were under negotiation in 2024.
VBCI vs Boxer: which is better?
The VBCI is a French 8×8 with a 25 mm cannon and a speed of 100 km/h, while the Boxer is a German-Dutch 8×8 competitor. Both are modern wheeled vehicles, so the better choice depends on the role.
What weapons does the VBCI have?
The VBCI VCI has a 25 mm M811 cannon, while the VBCI-2 has 40 mm CTA (T40) options. The VPC is a command post version.
Has the VBCI been in combat?
Yes, the VBCI has been used in Afghanistan, in Mali in Operation Serval and in Lebanon.