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DGA Announces Key Development for French Army with Delivery of First Griffon MEPAC.
In a statement dated January 23, 2025, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced the delivery of the first Griffon MEPAC (Mortar for Embedded Close Support) armored vehicle in late December 2024. This vehicle was handed over to the Satory detachment of the 8th Equipment Regiment (8e RMAT), tasked with maintaining the operational readiness of military equipment. The delivery aligns with the objectives of the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law (LPM), which aims to strengthen the operational capacities of the French Armed Forces. Designed to provide rapid and precise indirect fire support in close-contact scenarios, the MEPAC introduces a significant evolution in the operational methods of infantry and artillery units.
The Griffon MEPAC also includes the T2 remotely operated turret developed by Arquus, offering flexibility in armament configurations, ranging from a 7.62 mm machine gun to a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Part of the Scorpion military program, the MEPAC is built on the Griffon multi-role armored platform. Weighing 24.5 tons, this all-terrain vehicle is designed to meet the needs of combined arms tactical groups (GTIA), delivering a critical balance of protection, mobility, and operational effectiveness. Operated by a crew of four, it is equipped with a 120 mm semi-automatic 2R2M mortar developed by Thales. This advanced system, based on the 120 mm RT mortar introduced in the 1990s, offers improved precision and a higher rate of fire compared to towed systems. Mounted on a rotating platform at the rear of the vehicle, the mortar can rotate 360 degrees and elevate between 40 and 85 degrees via a hydraulic system. Equipped with a computerized fire control system (FCS), an automatic laying system (ALS), and an inertial navigation system (INS), it is capable of firing up to 10 rounds per minute with a maximum range of 13 kilometers.
The Griffon MEPAC also includes the T2 remotely operated turret developed by Arquus, offering flexibility in armament configurations, ranging from a 7.62 mm machine gun to a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Integrated into the Scorpion program, the vehicle features the Scorpion Information and Command System (SICS), enabling advanced connectivity with other Scorpion platforms, such as the Jaguar, Serval, and Leclerc XLR. This system enhances coordination on the battlefield by creating a collaborative information network that improves the effectiveness of joint operations.
Historically, French artillery relied on 120 mm RT F1 mortars towed by VAB 4x4 vehicles until the early 2000s. These mortars have since been transferred to artillery units, while infantry support sections now use 81 mm mortars. With the MEPAC, the French Army introduces a modern, integrated solution tailored to contemporary operational requirements. In addition to its mortar system, the vehicle is equipped with the ATLAS artillery system, facilitating automated firing and efficient ground-to-ground artillery coordination.
The MEPAC program is the result of an industrial partnership involving KNDS France, Thales, and Arquus, working together within a temporary consortium (GME) dedicated to the multi-role armored vehicle (EBMR) program. Fifty-four MEPAC vehicles are scheduled for delivery to the French Army by 2028, with an additional twenty-four units destined for Belgium as part of the CaMo (Motorized Capability) partnership, underscoring a strategic European collaboration.
This initial delivery, with ten more vehicles planned for 2025, adheres to the program’s production schedule. The MEPAC integrates robust capabilities with advanced connectivity, reflecting the Scorpion program's objectives to modernize French military capabilities while fostering interoperability with European partners. The gradual deployment of the Griffon MEPAC represents a response to the demands of modern conflicts, enhancing the ability of French units to operate effectively in complex operational environments.