SOFINS 2019: ARQUUS Light tactical and armored vehicles for Special Forces.

As one of the most important manufacturer of military vehicles in Europe, the French Company ARQUUS presents three combat vehicles specially designed for Special Forces at the Defense Exhibition SOFINS 2019. Based on his long experience in the development of armored vehicles, ARQUUS is able to offer a wide range of combat and armored vehicles to respond to the new needs of armed forces and Special Forces from all over the world.

ARQUUS Bastion 4x4 APC Armored Personnel Carrier at SOFINS 2019, Special Forces Operations Equipment Exhibition near Bordeaux, France. April 3, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

At SOFINS, ARQUUS presents three vehicles which perfectly meet the Special Forces’ needs including the Bastion, the Sabre and the Trigger.

The ARQUUS Bastion is a modular range of 12-tonne armored vehicles. Its chassis, developed on the VLRA 4x4 light tactical vehicle, offers a combination of tactical performance, robustness and simplified maintenance. Bastion’s armored hull offers a large internal volume, as well as a protection against ballistic aggression, mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), according to the STANAG 4569 standard.

At SOFINS 2019, the Bastion APC is showed in APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) configuration that has a crew of two and can accommodate eight troops at the rear of the hull. Troops enter and exit the vehicle via a double door located on the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle has a length of 6 m, a width of 2.2m and a height of 2.4m. It has a gross weight of 10.5t and can carry a maximum payload of 2,000 kg.

The high hardness armored steel hull provides all-round protection against firing of small arms (ballistic protection Level 1 to Level 3, NATO STANAG 4569) and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle provides protection against anti-personnel and anti-tank mines and side explosives.

ARQUUS Sabre 4x4 Special Forces vehicle at SOFINS 2019, Special Forces Operations Equipment Exhibition near Bordeaux, France. April 3, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The SABRE is an export variant of the VLFS (Heavy Vehicle for Special Forces) which is now in service with the French Army Special. The vehicle will also be entered in service with two countries in the Middle East.

The Sabre is based on the Sherpa 4x4 light tactical vehicle designed with an open top architecture, the main feature requested by many Special Forces from all over the world.

The Sabre is a multi-echelon and joint combat vehicle, open to provide firepower, and designed with a large circular diameter that can accommodate all types of weaponry. Several secondary weapons posts are designed for the crew and it can also accommodate several communication systems (C4ISR).

ARQUUS Trigger 4x4 light tactical vehicle at SOFINS 2019, Special Forces Operations Equipment Exhibition near Bordeaux, France. April 3, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Trigger is a light tactical vehicle based on a Ford chassis which can be configured for different roles and missions. The Trigger is able to be used as troop’s carrier and logistic vehicle. In its category, the Trigger has the biggest payload capacity on the market, with 1.3 t of payload and 4.6 m2 cargo. The Trigger benefits from a reinforced platform for military needs and a larger, deep and modular flatbed.

The ARQUUS Trigger is motorized with a four-cylinder 2.2l turbo diesel engine developing 150 hp. coupled to an six-speed mechanical drive gearbox. The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 170 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km.

The Trigger LTV can integrate circular or swivel-mounted weapons systems such as 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns. It has proven records of offering greater stability with the 12.7mm machine gun.