Serval deliveries to begin in 2022
DGA orders first batch of 364 VBMR-L vehicles for French Army.
French defence procurement agency DGA has ordered the first batch of Serval VBMR-L 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicles from Nexter Systems and Texelis.
Delivery of the 364 vehicles will begin in 2022, the French MoD confirmed on 18 January. It did not confirm the value of the procurement but Shephard Defence Insight estimates the unit cost of VBMR-L at €500,000-€700,000 ($468,000-$819,000).
A total of 978 Servals are being procured under the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law, as part of the wider Scorpion modernisation programme for the French Army.
The vehicle will complement the Griffon heavy multi-role armoured vehicle and replace some variants of the 4x4 VAB APC, VLRA and P4 light trucks in service with the army.
Nexter and Texelis began development of Serval in February 2018. Tests began in September 2019 and the first deliveries were made in late 2020 despite ‘disruptions related to the [COVID-19] health crisis’, the French MoD stated.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
VBMR-L Serval (Batch 1) [France]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options]()
Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options
Firing trials of the Tulpar and Leonardo Hitfact Mk II combination follow an integration programme covering mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces.
-
![How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action]()
How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action
The news from Ukraine has again shown that antitank minefields and other obstacles on the battlefield, such as deep trenches, can play a key role in both offensive and defensive operations. Given this, there will always be a need to clear them, both during and after a conflict.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
