Qatar will purchase 490 French Nexter VBCI 8x8 IFV armoured vehicles.

According a Tweet from the French Ministry of Defense of December 6, 2017, Qatar has signed a letter of intent to purchase 490 French-made VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie) 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicles designed and manufactured by the French Defense Company Nexter Systems.

VBCI 2 8x8 armoured infantry fighting vehicle fitted with CTA 40 turret at Eurosatory Defense Exhibition in June 2016. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Some few years ago, Qatar has showed a great interest to purchase the French-made VCBI 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle. In August 2015, an improved version of the VBCI, the VBCI 2 fitted with CTA40 40mm turret was spotted in Qatari video report showing the French-made 8x8 vehicle in trial tests in Qatar.

The VBCI is in service with the French army, it has already been successfully deployed for combat operations in Afghanistan and Mali.

The VBCI in the French Army is equipped with a one-man Nexter Dragar turret armed with a dual feed 25mm NATO cannon type 25 M811 with 150 rounds in the turret and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.

The hull and the turret of the VBCI Nexter Systems are composed by welded steel and aluminium, who offers a protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. To increase the protection, the welded steel and aluminium alloy hull is fitted with spall liners and add-on titanium armour plate to protect against anti-tank weapons.

The VBCI 2 is an improved version of the previous version of the VBCI which was unveiled at the Defense Exhibition DSEI in September 2015. The VBCI has more internal volume thanks to an higher roof hull. The vehicle can also be fitted with additional armour to increase protection against ballistic and mine threats.

The VBCI 2 is motorized with a more powerful engine Volvo D13 turbocharged diesel developing 600 hp.

The CTA 40 turret is armed with the CTA International 40 mm Cased Telescoped Cannon System (CTCS). A 40mm CTA APFSDS round penetrates more than 140mm of armoured steel. Second armament includes a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine gun. Two launchers for anti-tank guided missiles can be mounted on each side of the turret.