France deploys 16 additional Centaure armored vehicles in New Caledonia following deadly riots.

According to information from Europe 1 on May 30, 2024, France will send a total of 16 Centaure armored vehicles from the gendarmerie to New Caledonia. Six of these vehicles will arrive next week, with the remaining ten being deployed progressively over the following weeks. This deployment follows recent unrest in New Caledonia after the adoption of a local electoral body reform, which triggered riots on the archipelago. These disturbances have resulted in seven deaths, including two gendarmes.
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The French Gendarmerie's acquisition program involved the purchase of 80 vehicles, costing between 65-70 million euros, to enhance crowd control and public security operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

As of May 2024, New Caledonia is experiencing significant unrest following a controversial electoral reform imposed by France. This reform allows French residents who have lived in New Caledonia for ten years to vote in provincial elections. Indigenous Kanak leaders are concerned that this change will reduce their political influence, leading to violent protests and clashes.

The unrest has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. In response, France declared a state of emergency and increased police and military presence in the territory. President Emmanuel Macron visited New Caledonia to address the situation and emphasized the need to restore calm and security. He met with local officials to discuss economic reconstruction and the political future of the territory.

Neighboring Pacific nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and Vanuatu, have called for peaceful dialogue and expressed concerns over the regional impact of the riots. Measures taken by the French government, such as deploying additional forces and banning TikTok to limit the spread of unrest, have been points of contention. To date, approximately 3,500 security personnel have already been deployed to the archipelago, and the Centaure armored vehicles are expected to support the French security forces in better managing the current situation and helping to restore calm.

The Centaure, the new armored vehicle of the French National Gendarmerie, was acquired as part of an economic recovery plan initiated in December 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The acquisition involved the purchase of 80 vehicles, costing between 65-70 million euros, to enhance crowd control and public security operations. This program was accelerated with the deployment of Centaure vehicles during urban riots in June 2023. The French Court of Auditors has scrutinized this acquisition, particularly highlighting the rapid specification of requirements which led to initial gaps in technical needs, especially in vehicle maintenance. These gaps were later addressed by adding a maintenance plan to the technical specifications.

Manufactured by Soframe, the Centaure, also known as the Armored Infantry Vehicle (ARIVE), is a 4x4 armored vehicle weighing 14.5 tons, heavier than its predecessor, the VBRG. It measures 6.2 meters in length, 2.45 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height. Key features include blades mounted on pneumatic cylinders for pushing and clearance, modern optronic equipment, and capabilities for remote-controlled firing and grenade launching. Designed as a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, the Centaure can carry a combat infantry group and is protected against explosive devices and small arms fire.

Despite these capabilities, the French Court of Auditors questioned the overall relevance and integration of the Centaure into existing law enforcement operations, noting that other security forces, like the National Police, showed limited interest. The Ministry of the Interior defended the acquisition as a strategic project, acknowledging the need for further adaptation to the national mobility support scheme.

The Centaure armored vehicles were transferred to New Caledonia using Antonov 124 transport aircraft. (Picture source: Gendarmerie Nationale)

Weighing 14.5 tons, the Centaure measures 6.2 meters in length, 2.45 meters in width, and 2.5 meters in height. (Picture source: Gendarmerie Nationale)