Chinese-made VN1 8x8 armored vehicle in service with Gabonese army.

The Chinese-made VN1 8x8 armored vehicle personnel carrier is now in service with the Army of Gabon. The VN1 was displayed for the first time to the public during the Independence Day military parade that was held on August 17, 2019.

Chinese-made VN1 of the Gabonese army at Independence day military parade, August 17, 2019 (Picture source Printscreen video footage Présidence de la République du Gabon)

The VN1 of the Gabonese army is an 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored vehicle fitted with a one-man turret armed with one 30mm cannon and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The VN1 has a crew of two including driver and commander and the troop's compartment at the rear can accommodate 11 infantrymen. There is one single door at the rear of the hull which is used by the infantrymen to leave and enter in the vehicle and two roof hatches.

The VN1 is designed and manufactured in China by the Company NORINCO (North Industries Corporation) for the international military market. This vehicle is the export variant of the ZBL-09 (also called ZBD-09) 8x8 armored vehicle personnel carrier. The VN1 is based on an 8x8 chassis able to be fitted with weapon station up to 105mm cannon or 122mm howitzer.

The VN1 can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 800 km. It can climb a 30° slope, cross a 1.8m trench and climb over a 0.55 m vertical obstacle.