French Army to receive 90 additional Arquus VBL Ultima armored vehicles in 2021.

The Ground Force of the French Army is expected to receive 90 VBL Ultima 4×4 light armored tactical reconnaissance vehicles in 2021. Arquus, its manufacturer, will progressively modernize 800 VBLs to the new Ultima standard, which means half of the current fleet.
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Arquus VBL Ultima (Picture source: Army Recognition)

On September 22, 2020, Arquus announced that 50 VBL Ultimas would be delivered to the French army by the end of 2020. This enhanced variant of the original VBL benefits from a deeply improved rear axle and suspension, a new 130 hp PSA DW10F engine (compared to 95 hp previously) coupled to a Mercedes W5A580 automatic gearbox. The transmission and the cooling system have also been modified. The braking system is now fitted with an ABS. From 4.5 tons, the gross weight is now 5.2 tons for a load capacity of 1.3 tons.

Entrusted in 2015 to Arquus (then Renault Trucks Defense), the VBL upgrading program began in December 2016, leading to the qualification of the Ultima standard in 2019. Of the 800 units planned for this upgraded version of the VBL, 730 will be assigned to the Ground Force by 2025 and 70 others by 2030. The VBL is expected to be replaced by the VBAE (Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement, litterally Armored Vehicle for Assistance to Engagement) program.

Arquus VBL Ultima (Picture source: Army Recognition)