• The EBMR temporary consortium (Nexter, Thales and Arquus) delivered 113 GRIFFON and 18 JAGUAR vehicles to the French defence procurement agency (DGA) this year.
• The consortium therefore successfully achieved its delivery target for 2022.
• In 2022, the DGA placed an additional order for 88 JAGUAR, 302 GRIFFON and 54 MEPAC vehicles.

Ongoing deliveries and qualification

Nexter, Thales and Arquus met annual delivery milestones for 2022 in line with the provisions of the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law. Since 2019, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) has taken delivery of a total of 452 GRIFFON and 38 JAGUAR vehicles. The EBMR¹ consortium has also developed a new field ambulance version of the GRIFFON, the GRIFFON SAN. The new medevac version was qualified by the DGA on 12 September 2022. It includes a medical module, provisions for medical equipment integration and stowage and a patient support system with an adjustable table and stretcher lift. The interior is configured to accommodate patients seated or lying down, with room for four stretchers. The SAN version includes all the common features and functions (mobility, weapon systems, protection and connectivity) of the GRIFFON family.

Energy innovation

In June 2022, the consortium members also jointly submitted the results of a derisking study on the use of lithium-ion batteries in military vehicles. Trials were conducted on a vehicle mock-up and on a GRIFFON prototype to enable DGA Techniques Terrestres (the DGA's land forces centre of expertise) and the consortium to test the whole system. In the future, these new batteries could power larger numbers of electrical devices with the same stand-by time as existing batteries and half the charging time. The consortium's study opens up new opportunities for equipping the most energy-hungry vehicles in the theatre of operations.

SCORPION, an ambitious programme

The JAGUAR armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicle (EBRC²) and the GRIFFON multi-role armoured vehicle (VBMR³) were developed under the SCORPION programme led by the DGA, alongside the SERVAL light multi-role armoured vehicles. They are natively designed for the SCORPION combat information system (SICS⁴), enabling land forces to conduct collaborative combat operations, with real-time communications between deployed units and other digitalised battlefield solutions to ensure that the French Army would stay one step ahead of the adversary in a high-intensity conflict situation.

The first SCORPION combined arms brigade will be formed at the end of 2023 to deploy these new combat capabilities.

The JAGUAR is a 25-tonne armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicle armed with a 40 mm cannon with telescoped munitions (CTA) and the MMP missile.

The vehicle is unique in several respects:

• It has three advanced turret-mounted weapon systems: the 40 mm CTA cannon from Nexter, two medium-range missiles (MMP) from MBDA and the T3 remote weapon station.
• Its state-of-the-art vetronics, developed by Thales, includes latest-generation optronic systems (IR/TV, missile launch detector, laser warning receiver, etc.) and an onboard tactical training capability.
• Its new-generation chassis, developed by Arquus, as well as all-wheel drive (6x6), an innovative suspension system and a 400 CV engine, provide exceptional tactical, theatre-level and strategic mobility for a 25-tonne vehicle.

The GRIFFON is a 24-tonne multi-role armoured vehicle, available in numerous versions, including troop transport, command post, communications relay, artillery observation and 120 mm mortar (MEPAC). Deployed by the French Army in the Sahel in 2021, the GRIFFON is recognised for its operational performance, high mobility and ease of maintenance. It includes the common systems developed for the other SCORPION vehicles, such as the vetronics, the SICS combat information system and the Hornet remote weapon station.
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About Nexter

Nexter, the leading French land defence company and third-largest European player in the ammunition sector, is part of the KNDS Group. The scope of its business includes the supply of weapon systems and munitions for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions in the field of homeland security. The company continues to pursue its international development policy with several orders in 2021 destined for export markets. In France, Nexter is fully committed to meeting the objectives of the SCORPION programme, through the upgrade of the Leclerc tank and the development of the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar vehicles within the temporary consortium between Nexter, Thales and Arquus, as well as the VBMR-L Serval (with Texelis). The company's product range also includes the VBCI and TITUS® armoured vehicles, the CAESAR® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart munitions (BONUS, KATANA), robots, wide-ranging equipment and customer service, support and revaluation. Nexter generated revenue of €1.3 billion in 2021. Customer services, training, fleet management, maintenance and through-life support services accounted for 30% of sales.

More information at www.nexter-group.fr    

Press contact

Gabriel Massoni

+33 7 64 26 37 88

g.massoni@nexter-group.fr

 

About Arquus

Arquus is a French defence company and a leader in ground mobility solutions. As a long-standing partner of the armed forces, Arquus has almost 25,000 vehicles of all types in service with the French Army, including 20,000 supported by the company. Arquus is involved in the production of the new generation of Army vehicles, the VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar, produced by the temporary consortium. In particular, Arquus is responsible for supplying the drivelines and the remotely operated self-defence systems for these two vehicles. Arquus also provides all the logistics for replacement parts and units for the VBMR and EBRC vehicles under the Scorpion programme through its new logistics platform at Garchizy. As a support specialist, with almost 20,000 vehicles supported on a routine basis, Arquus offers complete solutions, drawing on the company's historic competencies. These solutions rely on an international logistics network supported by the network of the Volvo Group, of which Arquus is a member. Arquus is an innovative company, investing in major projects such as architecture, survivability, mobility, energy, robotics, fire support and support. As a complete systems integration manufacturer, Arquus also offers remotely operated turrets (Hornet range, developed for the Scorpion programme), vetronics solutions (Battlenet) and mobility solutions (4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 chassis). Arquus exports to more than 60 countries.

Press contact

Marin Tollet

+33 (0)6 51 00 04 18

marin.tollet@arquus-defense.com

 

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organisations and governments – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.

Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2021, the Group generated sales of €16.2 billion.

Press contact

Camille Heck

+33 (0) 6 73 78 33 63

camille.heck@thalesgroup.com

​¹ EBMR: Engin Blindé Multi Rôles

² EBRC: Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat

³ VBMR: Véhicule Blindé Multi Rôles

⁴ Système d’Information du Combat SCORPION