VBMR Griffon

VBMR Griffon
Kevin.B · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Griffon
Origin	France
Type	Multi-role armoured vehicle
Service	2019–present
Used by	France
Manufacturer	Nexter Systems; Arquus; Thales
Produced	2019–present
Weight	~25 t (combat)
Length	~6 m
Crew	2 + 8 passengers
Armament	Remote weapon station up to 40 mm autocannon or 12.7 mm machine gun
Engine	diesel
Drive	6×6

VBMR Griffon The Griffon is a French six-wheeled multi-role armoured vehicle developed to replace a variety of legacy vehicles in French land forces. It entered service with the French Army as part of a family of modular platforms intended to standardize logistics and protection across brigades and regiments. The program is linked to broader French defence modernisation efforts and multinational interest in modular wheeled armour.

Development and Procurement

The Griffon emerged from requirements set during capability reviews influenced by the experiences of the Afghanistan War, Operation Serval, Operation Barkhane, and NATO transformation initiatives such as the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force and the Framework Nations Concept. Industrial proposals came from a consortium of Nexter Systems, Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense), and Thales, with political oversight from the French Ministry of Armed Forces and procurement handled by the Direction générale de l'armement. Contracts were negotiated amid debates in the French National Assembly and scrutiny by parliamentary defence committees and committees linked to the Comité des Armements. Export considerations involved liaison with the European Defence Agency, discussions at the DSEI and Eurosatory exhibitions, and coordination with procurement offices in partner states such as Belgium and Germany for interoperability with NATO logistics standards. Program milestones referenced industrial policies associated with the Plan de Relance and supplier audits by the Cour des comptes.

Design and Technical Characteristics

The Griffon’s architecture reflects influence from modular design philosophies seen in platforms like the Boxer (armoured fighting vehicle), Piranha V, and the Patria AMV. Its hull integrates blast protection informed by studies following incidents from Iraq War and Lebanese Civil War theatres, while survivability features align with protocols advocated by NATO Standardization Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross guidelines for combatant protection. Suspension and mobility systems draw on developments similar to Hägglunds CV90 derivative lessons and employ driveline systems comparable to those in modernised Mowag Piranha families. Sensor suites, battlefield management integration and communications are provided via systems interoperable with SIRF-like architectures and linked to national networks such as Système de Commandement et de Conduite derivatives and NATO's Federated Mission Networking efforts. Armament options include remote weapon stations compatible with modules produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, Rheinmetall, and remote turrets akin to those used on Leclerc reconnaissance variants. The vehicle’s powertrain meets emissions and logistics standards adopted by the European Union defence procurement frameworks and leverages maintenance doctrines taught at schools such as the École de Guerre and technical training at the Centre de Formation de la Défense.

Variants

The Griffon family was conceived with multiple mission modules echoing the modularity of the JLTV family and variants such as the Stryker brigade combat team adaptations. Key configurations include troop transport paralleling battalion mobility needs in units rotated to operations formerly supported by vehicles like the VAB (vehicle), command post versions integrating systems similar to those in the FELIN architecture, ambulance conversions analogous to Medevac platforms used by NATO partners, repair and recovery derivatives comparable to M88 Hercules support roles, and anti-tank or reconnaissance versions fitted with optics and missiles reminiscent of MILAN, MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée), or anti-armor suites fielded on AMX-10RC. These derivatives have been offered in exhibitions alongside other modular offerings from Fincantieri, Patria, and General Dynamics European Land Systems.

Operational History

Initial deployments followed trials conducted at ranges and proving grounds associated with the Centre d'Essais de Landes and exercises such as Anaconda-style multinational manoeuvres and national events including NATO Exercise Trident Juncture. Griffons entered service with units rotated through theatres influenced by counter-insurgency operations, relief operations linked to humanitarian missions coordinated with United Nations field operations, and domestic security tasks comparable to those seen during national crises involving the Préfecture de Police and civil protection entities. Reports from fielding cite logistic integration with platforms like VBCI and coordination with aviation assets such as NHIndustries NH90 and Eurocopter Tiger in combined-arms drills. International observations were made by delegations from countries shown interest at forums such as Land Forces and IDEF.

Operators

Primary operator remains the French Army, with units in the Brigade structures and regiments formerly equipped with VABs and other legacy fleets. Interest or evaluation trials have been conducted by delegations from Belgium, Greece, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom observers, and NATO liaison officers. Export offers have been discussed with procurement authorities in countries aligned with European Defence Agency cooperative projects and in dialogue with defence attachés at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France).

Evaluation and Future Upgrades

Ongoing evaluation focuses on integration with future battlefield networks promoted by the NATO Defence Planning Process and enhancements compatible with initiatives like the Future Combat Air System for joint force interoperability. Planned upgrades consider powerpack enhancements inspired by studies from ADEME and automotive partnerships with manufacturers such as Volvo Group and Iveco; sensor and countermeasure improvements reference technologies fielded by Thales, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Leonardo S.p.A., and Saab AB. Software-defined communications and cyber-hardening follow recommendations by the NATO Communications and Information Agency and national cybersecurity agencies mirrored on ANSSI processes. Prospective life-cycle plans align with acquisition strategies discussed in forums including the European Defence Fund and parliamentary white papers on defence procurement.

Category:Armoured fighting vehicles of France