French Army accelerates development of new EGC 8x8 armored vehicle to modernize engineering capabilities.

As reported by Opex360 on February 25, 2025, the future Engin du Génie de Combat (EGC), intended for the French Army, has reached a new stage in its development as part of the SCORPION modernization program. While initially focused on replacing medium-armored vehicles such as the Griffon, Serval, and Jaguar, the program also aims to enhance the capabilities of engineering units through the EGC, a new 8x8 armored engineering vehicle formerly known as the Moyen d’Appui au Contact (MAC).

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With the Auroch concept, further refinements have been undertaken by the French consortium of CNIM Systèmes Industriels, KNDS France, and Texelis to closely align with the expected requirements of the EGC program. (Picture source: CNIM)

The current engineering vehicle used by the French Army, the Engin Blindé du Génie (EBG), was introduced in 1989 and is based on the chassis of the AMX-30B2 main battle tank. Over the years, the EBG has undergone two modernization phases, with the most recent upgrades including an improved lifting arm for earth-moving tasks and an air conditioning system. The EGC is planned to replace the EBG, along with the Engins du Génie Rapide de Protection (EGRAP) and the Engins du Génie d’Aménagement (EGAME), to provide a modernized engineering capability on the battlefield. Belgium joined the project last year through the CaMo (Capacité Motorisée) strategic partnership, intending to use the EGC to replace its Pionnier vehicles.

According to the French military programming law (Loi de Programmation Militaire, LPM) for 2024-2030, the French Army was expected to receive its first five EGC units before 2030, with a total of 125 units by 2035. However, the recent market consultation published by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAR), which oversees the program on behalf of France and Belgium, indicates that deliveries will be delayed. The first EGCs, formerly referred to as the Moyen d’Appui au Contact (MAC), are now scheduled for delivery in 2031, with a total production target of 200 units by 2040. For its part, the Belgian Land Component has indicated a requirement for approximately 30 vehicles. The overall cost of the program, covering development, production, and initial support, is estimated at between €800 million and €1.2 billion.

OCCAR has announced plans to negotiate and award the contract through a competitive process starting in 2025, limited to suppliers from OCCAR member states and the European Union. A market consultation process is underway, with an Industry Day scheduled for May 14, 2025, in Bonn, Germany, where OCCAR will provide details to potential suppliers. Suppliers interested in participating must submit applications and capability briefs by April 4, 2025. The program follows a phased development approach, including a System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Qualification Review (QR). Qualification is expected by 2030, with prototypes for industrial qualification and testing available between 2028 and 2029.

OCCAR has also shared the requirements for the EGC program, defining the vehicle’s engineering, mobility, and protection capabilities. The EGC must feature a 4-in-1 bucket and an excavator arm capable of digging a tank firing position within 50 minutes, creating anti-tank ditches at a rate of 30 meters per hour with two vehicles, and lifting loads of up to three tons. Additionally, the system must be able to excavate trenches 90 cm wide and up to 2.5 meters deep, relocate soil, and construct protective berms using displaced earth. These capabilities must be functional both during the day and at night, with integrated equipment ensuring operability in low-visibility conditions. The EGC is also required to be certified for use on civilian roads in customer countries.

Beyond its engineering role, the EGC must feature multi-functional capabilities aligned with the SCORPION combat system. It will integrate communication systems such as CONTACT/SYNAPS radios, the SICS battlefield management system, and the BARAGE jammer. The vehicle must match the speed, protection, autonomy, and off-road mobility of the Griffon and Jaguar armored vehicles, ensuring operational continuity. Designed to function in muddy and sandy environments, the EGC will feature an adaptive tire pressure system for improved traction and a winch for self-recovery. It will operate with a three-person crew consisting of a commander, a driver, and a radio-gunner and must be capable of towing a trailer and functioning in CBRN-contaminated environments.

To date, one candidate is known: CNIM. This French company has proposed both an initial project and an evolution. When first introduced as a concept by CNIM in collaboration with Texelis in 2022, the Engin du Génie de Combat (EGC) was envisioned as a high-mobility, 8x8 wheeled engineering vehicle designed to operate in complex battlefield environments. It was intended to perform combat engineering tasks such as obstacle clearance and fortification construction while ensuring crew protection. Additionally, the EGC was already designed for integration into the SCORPION combat system, ensuring interoperability with other armored platforms in the French and Belgian armed forces.

With the Auroch concept, the French consortium of CNIM Systèmes Industriels, KNDS France, and Texelis has introduced refinements to align more closely with the anticipated requirements of the EGC program. Initially conceived with a more complex architecture, the Auroch now features a single forward-mounted arm capable of supporting either an excavator bucket or a loader. The vehicle which is based on an 8x8 chassis originally developed for the Singaporean Terrex armored vehicle, weighs 28.6 tons and is equipped with optronic systems for environmental monitoring and a remotely operated 7.62mm turret. Powered by a 600-horsepower diesel engine, it can reach speeds of 80 km/h on roads and has an operational range of 600 km. Designed for both combat and disaster response, it is capable of obstacle clearance and terrain modification.