Combat vehicles / Armored personnel carriers / VBCI

VBCI

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Infantry fighting vehicle

  • ORIGIN
    France

  • NICKNAMES
    Véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie

  • DESIGNED
    2003 - 2007

  • DESIGNER
    Giat

  • PRODUCTION
    2008 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    France - Nexter

  • QUANTITY
    510 VCI and 120 VPC on order

  • UNIT COST
    € 3.5 million for VBCI VCI in 2012
    € 2.8 million for VBCI VPC in 2012

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Powerful armament
    Good all around protection level
    Good on road mobility
    Mediocre frontal protection level

Introduction

The VBCI is a modern infantry combat vehicle of French origin. It was developed to supplement and replace both the wheeled VAB and tracked AMX-10P in French service. The name VBCI stands for Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie, which is French for wheeled infantry combat vehicle.

Layout

The VBCI has a conventional layout for an 8x8 armored personnel carrier. The engine, drivetrain and two steerable axles are located at the front. The one man Dragar turret is mounted in the middle. The troop compartment is located at the rear and features a ramp.

Firepower

The VBCI is armed with a 25mm M811 dual feed autocannon with 150 round ready to fire. A coaxial 7.62mm MAG machine gun is fitted. The armament is stabilized in both axis and can be fired on the move. APFSDS round can penetrate up to 85mm armor at a 1 km range. The command post version features a remote weapon system with 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun instead of the one man turret.

Protection

The aluminum and steel armor provides an all around protection against 14.5mm armour piercing heavy machine gun rounds. Add on armour can be fitted to improve armor level. An NBC system and fire suppression systems are fitted. The Galix smoke grenade launcher system improves self-defence.

Mobility

The 8x8 chassis with large wheeles provides good on road and off road mobility. The 550 hp diesel engine provides a maximum speed of 100 km/h on roads. The autonomous range is 750 km. The VBCI is not amphibious.

Users

The VBCI is in use with the French army, which operates over 600 vehicles in the infantry combat vehicle and command post roles. Other nations have shown interest in the VBCI and export orders are expected in the future.

Variants

VBCI VCI

VBCI VCI: Baseline infantry fighting vehicle version fitted with DRAGAR turret armed with 25mm M811 autocannon and 7.62mm MAG coaxial machine gun. The name VCI stands for Véhicule de Combat de l'Infanterie, which is French for infantry combat vehicle.

TypeInfantry fighting vehicle
Crew3 + 9 (commander, driver, gunner, 9 infantry)
Length7.6 m
Width2.98 m
Height3 m
Ground clearance?
Weight25.6 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 8x8
Turn radius17 m
EngineRenaul 6-cylinder diesel, 550 hp
Power ratio21.5 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic
Speed100 km/h
Fuel?
Range750 km
Wall0.7 m
Trench2 m
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
Fording1.2 m unprepared, 1.5 m prepared
ArmorSteel and aluminum armor, protects against 14.5mm API all around
NBC equipmentYes
Night vision?
SmokeGalix smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks?
Armament25mm M811 autocannon
7.62mm MAG coaxial machine gun
Weapon125mm M811 autocannon in turret
409 rounds, 150 ready to fire
360° traverse, powered
non-stabilized
Weapon27.62mm MAG coaxial machine gun
200 rounds, all ready to fire
traverse and elevation as main armament
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-
TypeCommand post
Crew2+ 7 (commander, driver, 7 operators)
Length7.6 m
Width2.98 m
Height2.26 m (hull roof)
Ground clearance?
Weight23.3 t combat load
Ground pressure?
WheelbaseWheeled chassis, 8x8
Turn radius17 m
EngineRenaul 6-cylinder diesel, 550 hp
Power ratio23.6 hp/t
TransmissionAutomatic
Speed100 km/h
Fuel?
Range750 km
Wall0.7 m
Trench2 m
Gradient60% gradient, 30% slope
Fording1.2 m unprepared, 1.5 m prepared
ArmorSteel and aluminum armor, protects against 14.5mm API all around
NBC equipmentYes
Night vision?
SmokeGalix smoke grenade dischargers
Remarks?
Armament12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun
Weapon112.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun in overhead weapon system
360° traverse, powered
non-stabilized
Weapon2-
Weapon3-
Weapon4-
Weapon5-
Weapon6-

VBCI VPC

VBCI VPC. Command post vehicle fitted with remote weapon system fitted with 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun. The name VPC stands for Véhicule de Poste de Commandement, which is French for command post vehicle.

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