Nexter and Texelis from France deliver first Serval 4x4 armored vehicles to French MoD.

The French Companies Nexter and Texelis deliver the first Serval 4x4 armored vehicles to the French Ministry of Defense. This first delivery of the Serval vehicles is part of a contract signed in 2018 by Nexter and Texelis with the French army for an order of 364 vehicles.
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French MoD takes delivery of the first Serval, a new 4x4 armored vehicle. (Picture source Nexter)

Following the contract notified in 2018, French companies Nexter and Texelis announced on May 5, 2022, the first of the SERVALs 4x4 light multi-role armored vehicles (VBMR) to the French ministry of the Armed Forces. According to the delivery plan, 70 vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2022, out of a total of 364 SERVALs ordered to date by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA).

The French Company Nexter is in charge to produce the vehicle while Texelis is responsible for delivering the full vehicle driveline for integration with the systems produced by Nexter for Serval. With the Texelis solution, the Serval will have high mobility capabilities to respond to the extremely demanding and restrictive environment in which the French Army’s vehicle fleet operates on today’s battlefield, delivering advanced protection, and enhanced strategic and tactical mobility.

The Serval is a 15-ton multi-role armored vehicle that integrates various equipment common to other vehicles of the Scorpion program, especially the electronic core, a turret remotely operated from the passenger compartment, threat sensors and the Scorpion Combat Information System (SICS), which enables it to be integrated into the Scorpion systems network.

The Scorpion Program has been deemed as the most ambitious military program in the recent history of French land forces. It consists of a $6.8 billion multi-company modernization effort aimed at replacing all French frontline fighting vehicles, with improved platforms linked with new and unified communications and Battlefield Management System (BMS). This BMS is underpinned by the concept of “collaborative combat,” which seeks to connect squads, vehicles, battle groups, and brigades in a single network.

The Scorpion includes the delivery of new wheeled armored vehicles to replace the full family of VAB, wheeled armored vehicles and AMX-10RC and VAB HOT anti-tank vehicles in service with the French army. The Scorpion program also includes the modernization of the Main Battle Tank Leclerc and the integration of the VBCI, 8x8 armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles for French army mechanized infantry units.

The design of the Serval is standard for modern 4x4 armored vehicles with the engine at the front, crew in the middle and troops or cargo area at the rear. The front of the crew compartment is fitted with a large windscreen and one single door on each side of the hull. The Serval will have a crew of two and could carry 8 military personnel. The infantrymen can enter and leave the vehicle via two doors located at the rear of the hull.

The Serval will be fitted with a remote-controlled weapon station that can be armed with a 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm machine, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.