The first version of VBCI mk 2 Nexter Systems shown at DSEI 2015 and Eurosatory 2016 international defense exhibition was fitted with the two-man turret CTA40 armed with one 40mm automatic cannon with a thermal sleeve and Ammunition Handling System (AHS) able to automatically manage the loading of ammunition in the gun. The turret is equipped with a CTAS controller to control the cannon and the AHS. It also incorporates the control of the weapon azimuth and elevation along with the ballistic calculation, coincidence control, and the programming of the Airburst rounds (GPR-AB-T and A3B). The 40mm cannon can fire different types of ammunition including APFSDS-T (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot - Tracer), TP-T (Target Practice - Tracer), TPRR-T (Target Practice Reduced Range-Tracer), GPR-PD-T (General Purpose Round Point Detonating - Tracer), GPR-AB-T (General Purpose Round Point - Airburst - Tracer) and A3B-T (Anti-Aerial Airburst-Tracer). The second armament of the CTA4 turret includes one remotely operated weapon station mounted on the right side of the roof turret which can be armed with a 7.62mm or a 12.7mm machine gun. Two launchers for anti-tank guided missiles is mounted on each side of the turret. There is also two smoke grenade dischargers at the front of the turret, on the right and left side of the main armament. The VBCI 2 can be fitted with other turret or weapon stations according to the customer's requirements.

The layout of the VBCI 2 is very similar to the original VBCI with the driver at the front left side of the hull with the powerpack on its right, the turret is mounted in the middle of the roof hull and the troop's compartment at the rear. The hull is longer and higher than the previous version of the VBCI offering more internal space. The VBCI 2 has a crew of three including a driver, commander and gunner, and can carry six infantrymen. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via a large power-operated ramp in the hull rear that opens downwards and is also provided with an emergency door on the left side. The troops compartment is equipped with individual anti-mine blast seats, three on each side of the hull facing inside. The hull and the turret of the VBCI 2 are made of all-welded aluminium offering protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The hull has an additional layer of modular passive armor and internal spall liners. The VBCI 2 can be fitted with additional steel armor or titanium armor plates to increase ballistic protection. The VBCI 2 is fully qualified for protection Level 4A/4B of the AEP55 against Mines and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs). It has already demonstrated that it can even reach a higher level. Indeed, it has been tested in ”overmatch” conditions resisting to a Level 4 + 20% blast. For ballistic threats, the standard level 4 is proposed, and level 5 and protection against 30mm APFDS rounds are offered as options.