Eurosatory 2010: DGA reveals upgrades for Afghanistan-bound VBCI
The French procurement agency (DGA) has upgraded its ten 8x8 VBCI (Véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie) armoured infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) due to be deployed with French forces in Afghanistan, the organisation has told Land Warfare International.
According to the DGA, the ten upgraded vehicles left France on 11 May and are currently located in the United Arab Emirates. They are due to be airlifted to Afghanistan by Antonov airframe imminently. A further two upgraded VBCIs will remain in France for training purposes.
Upgrades include QinetiQ’s counter-rocket propelled grenade netting system; extra hull protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by
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