Tempo continues on VBL Ultima and Hornet production
VB2L Ultimas, pictured ready for delivery by Arquus from its Marolles factory. (Photo: Jean-Marc Tanguy)
Work continues to upgrade about half of the 1,600 or so VBL Mk 1 reconnaissance and patrol vehicles in service with the French Army to the VBL Ultima configuration, as an interim step before introducing the VBAE armoured support vehicle for air assault and SOF missions.
Manufacturer Arquus shed light on the VBL upgrade and production of the Hornet remote weapon station (RWS) during a recent visit by Shephard to its factory in Marolles-en-Hurepoix, near Paris.
Arquus officials claimed to have significantly modified the VBL Mk 1 by renovating some components while adding new ones.
The original 95hp engine has
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system
The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.
-
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.