Flash News: French Army Orders 24 State-of-the-Art Serval LAD Counter-Aerial Drone 4x4 Armored Vehicles.

To significantly enhance its ground forces' air defense capabilities, the French Armed Forces Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced the acquisition of 24 Serval LAD (Anti-Drone) armored vehicles on January 28, 2025. This new order is part of France’s expanding investment in counter-drone technologies, driven by lessons learned from recent conflicts, especially the ongoing war in Ukraine, where drones have played a pivotal role in shaping battlefield strategies.
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The new Serval LAD armored vehicle on display at the Eurosatory Exhibition in Paris, France, June 2024, showcasing cutting-edge counter-drone technology for modern ground defense. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Serval LAD vehicles are specifically tailored for anti-drone operations. Each vehicle will be equipped with an ARX30 remote-controlled turret designed by French-German defense company KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter Defense Systems). The ARX30 turret is armed with a 30mm cannon and integrated autonomous detection systems, including radar and radiofrequency detectors, which allow the vehicle to detect and neutralize drone threats efficiently.

The Serval is a modern 4x4 armored vehicle developed by Nexter, a leading French defense contractor. Known for its high mobility, protection, and adaptability, the Serval is part of France's VBMR (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles) program, designed to meet the operational needs of the French Army in a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, combat support, and logistics.

The vehicle's modular design makes it highly versatile, enabling it to be adapted for a wide range of roles, from troop transport to armored reconnaissance. Its armor provides protection against small arms fire, mine blasts, and IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), making it effective in diverse battlefield environments.

Equipped with a powerful engine, the Serval can travel at speeds up to 100 km/h, ensuring rapid deployment across different terrains. The vehicle is also capable of carrying up to 10 soldiers, making it suitable for various combat scenarios.

The Serval LAD variant, designed for anti-drone warfare, is particularly notable due to its innovative counter-drone capabilities, providing the French Army with a valuable asset to counter the increasing threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern combat.

The ARX30 turret, developed by KNDS, is an essential component of the Serval LAD armored vehicle. This turret is equipped with a 30mm cannon, providing significant firepower capable of engaging small drones and other threats at medium range. The turret is also fitted with autonomous detection systems—such as radar and radiofrequency detectors—to enable the vehicle to track and neutralize drone threats autonomously or via remote control.

The ARX30 turret is designed to offer superior firepower and operational efficiency for counter-drone and other battlefield engagements. The turret is equipped with a 30M781MPG weapon, which is compatible with Super Safe munitions, firing 30x113mm NATO standard ammunition. It features a mono-feed gun system for continuous ammunition supply and has a practical range of up to 1,500 m. The turret can fire 225 rounds per minute during land operations, with the possibility of reaching up to 720 rounds per minute when required. The turret generates a mean recoil force of 550 daN. Additionally, the turret is being developed as a dual feed gun to enhance its operational flexibility. The muzzle velocity of the cannon exceeds 800 m/s, ensuring fast and accurate projectile delivery.

The ARX30 turret weighs between 350-500 kilograms, depending on the selected configuration and options. It features an advanced sight system that includes a color CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera, uncooled infrared (IR) sensor, and eye-safe laser range finder (LRF) for accurate targeting and detection in various environments. The turret has 360° azimuth rotation and an elevation range from -15° to +55°, providing excellent dynamic operational capabilities. It also has two-axis stabilization to ensure targeting accuracy, even in challenging conditions. Additionally, there is an optional radar system for enhanced detection and tracking of aerial threats.

The ARX30 turret represents a significant advancement in counter-drone technology, integrating firepower with autonomous tracking systems, allowing the Serval to engage enemy drones and other threats with high precision. With its combination of rapid-fire capabilities and autonomous detection, the ARX30 enhances the Serval LAD's ability to neutralize aerial threats in contested environments quickly.

In the contemporary battle space, drones have become a significant threat, used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strikes. They are increasingly used to disrupt military operations or target high-value assets. This shift in warfare dynamics has pushed militaries worldwide to invest heavily in counter-drone solutions. These solutions protect forces and infrastructure from the growing proliferation of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The Serval LAD, with its advanced counter-drone capabilities, addresses this emerging threat. The integration of radar and radiofrequency detection systems on the vehicle allows it to rapidly identify and track drone threats, even in complex and jamming-prone environments. In high-intensity conflicts, like the war in Ukraine, where drones are becoming a primary tool for both sides, systems like the Serval LAD could be decisive in maintaining control over contested areas.

Counter-drone technologies, such as those featured on the Serval LAD, not only provide force protection but also ensure tactical advantage. The vehicle enhances battlefield superiority by limiting the effectiveness of enemy UAVs, which might be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, or loitering munitions attacks.

The order of 24 Serval LAD vehicles by the French Ministry of Armed Forces underscores the growing importance of counter-drone systems in modern warfare. As adversaries continue to develop and deploy increasingly advanced drones, military forces must integrate cutting-edge anti-drone technologies into their defense strategies. The Serval LAD and ARX30 turret are prime examples of how forces can adapt to the rapid evolution of drone threats, ensuring that counter-drone capabilities remain at the forefront of modern defense planning.