French Army unveils new Serval armored vehicle during National Day military parade.

During the 2023 National Day military parade, the French army unveiled its new generation of 4x4 armored vehicles, known as the 'Serval'. These vehicles, which recently joined the French army's fleet, are set to replace the VAB, a 4x4 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) that has been in service since 1976.
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The new French army multi-role light armored vehicle Serval. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The DGA (French army procurement agency) awarded the contract development and realization of Serval to Nexter and Texelis in February 2018. The Military Planning Act 2019-2025 provides that 50% of new Scorpion program vehicles will be delivered in the period, which represents 489 Serval vehicles. The first deliveries of Serval will take place in 2022. French company Nexter takes on the responsibility of constructing the armored chassis and assimilating the systems, while Texelis supplies axles and drive trains for enhanced mobility solutions. The implementation of this driveline solution will offer better mobility in tough terrains, simultaneously improving protection.

Nexter and Texelis, as part of the temporary grouping of companies (GME) light-VBMR (véhicule blindé multi-rôles - Léger) Serval, were notified on December 23, 2020, by the French Delegation for Armaments (DGA) of the first production tranches of the Serval contract, i.e. 364 vehicles. This notification provides for the delivery in 2022 of the first 12 production vehicles in the first half of the year, followed by a further 96 in the second half.

In May 2022, the authorities received the initial batch of four Serval vehicles ahead of the target date, and on July 12, 2023, Nexter and Texelis jointly presented the 135th Serval to the General Directorate of Armaments. The French army is scheduled to receive a total of 978 Serval Scorpion vehicles by the end of 2030.

The Serval encompasses three main versions of this modular weapon system (patrol, intelligence and reconnaissance, and communications relay), each available in numerous variants such as armored patrol vehicles (VPB, Véhicule Patrouille Blindée), SA2R (Surveillance, Acquisition, Intelligence, and Reconnaissance), medical transports, air defense platforms, engineering and mortar versions, command posts, and tactical communication hubs (NCT, Nœud de Communication Tactique).

The Serval is a 15-ton multi-role armored vehicle equipped with a remote-controlled turret, known as the Tourelleau téléopéré, provided by Arquus. The turret can be armed with either a 12.7mm or 7.62mm weapon system, enhancing its combat capabilities. With dimensions measuring 6.7 meters in length, 3.5 meters in height, and 2.5 meters in width, the Serval offers a compact size. It boasts a maximum speed of 90 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 600 kilometers. The vehicle is designed to handle steep slopes with a gradient of up to 60 percent, enabling superior maneuverability across various terrains.

Designed for operation in combat zones, the Serval combines flexibility, strategic mobility, and payload-carrying capacity. It serves as a vital complement to the heavy multi-role armored vehicle Griffon and the armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle Jaguar, equipping the land task force's armored middle segment. Its introduction marks the gradual replacement of the existing Front Armored Vehicles (VAB) with this advanced 4x4 vehicle.

As part of the SCORPION program, the Serval benefits from advanced electronic systems shared by other SCORPION vehicles, including the Griffon, Jaguar, and Leclerc XLR main battle tank. These systems include the CONTACT radio for communication, the BARAGE jammer for electronic warfare, and the SICS (Système d'Information et de Communication Scorpion) for real-time data exchange. This integration empowers the Serval's crew and commanders with situational awareness and command capabilities on the battlefield, within the Scorpion systems network.