French Army to receive first Griffon MEPAC 120mm self-propelled mortars in 2024.

As reported by Laurent Lagneau on February 17, 2024, General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army, disclosed during a session with the French Senate that the French Army will receive its first batch of eight Griffon MEPAC (Mortier Embarqué pour l'Appui au Contact) 120mm self-propelled mortar carriers in 2024. The initial units are slated for delivery to the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment, marking a new phase in the French military's artillery capability.
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The Griffon MEPAC is armed with the 2R2M 120mm semi-automatic mortar system, which achieves a firing rate of up to 10 rounds per minute and has a maximum range of up to 13 km. (Picture source: DGA)

The Griffon MEPAC is derived from the Griffon VBMR (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles), a 6x6 wheeled armored vehicle developed under the EBMR (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôles) program. Designed with modular armor for ballistic protection, capable of withstanding small arms fire and mine explosions, the Griffon aims to replace the aging VAB armored personnel carrier currently in service.

Primarily intended for indirect fire support, particularly in close-contact scenarios, the Griffon MEPAC offers infantry units adaptable artillery backing. Its self-propelled system coupled with the mobility of the Griffon vehicle ensures rapid response capability, facilitating quick positioning and firing.

Previously, French infantry regiments used 120 mm RT F1 (Mo 120 RT) heavy mortars towed by VAB 4x4 armored vehicles until the early 2000s. Presently, support sections are equipped with the 81 mm mortars model F1 (Mo 81 LLR F1), while the Mo 120 RT has been transferred to artillery units.

The Griffon MEPAC is armed with the 2R2M 120mm semi-automatic mortar system, manufactured by Thales, which includes the 120 mm RT that was introduced into service with the French artillery units in the mid-1990s. This mortar system, mounted in the rear of the Griffon, offers improved accuracy and firing speed compared to its towed counterparts. Within the vehicle, the turntable-mounted mortar can rotate through 360° and has an elevation range of 40–85°, powered hydraulically. Equipped with Thales' computerized fire-control system (FCS), automatic laying system (ALS), and inertial navigation system (INS), the 2R2M mortar system can achieve a firing rate of up to 10 rounds per minute and has a maximum range of up to 13 km.

Operated by a crew of four, the Griffon MEPAC also features the T2 remotely operated turret developed by the French company Arquus, offering flexibility in armament choices ranging from a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun to a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Integrated into the SCORPION program, the Griffon incorporates the SCORPION Information and Command System (SICS), fostering connectivity with other SCORPION vehicles such as the Leclerc XLR, Jaguar, and Serval, thus establishing a unified communications and battlefield management system. Additionally, the MEPAC is equipped with the ATLAS artillery system, facilitating automated firing and links for ground-to-ground artillery.