French Army Deploys Serval Armored Vehicle on External Theater for First Time near Russian Border.

The French Army has recently deployed the multi-role armored vehicle (VBMR) Serval for the first time in an external theater of operations. These vehicles have arrived in Estonia, marking their engagement in the Lynx mission, a few days behind the originally planned schedule. This deployment aligns with France's ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic solidarity with its allies, as emphasized by General Pierre Schill, the Chief of Staff of the French Army.
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Armed with a remotely operated turret with a 12.7 mm machine gun and threat detectors, the Serval can transport eight soldiers equipped with the FELIN (Integrated Dismounted Soldier) system, in addition to its two crew members (Picture source: French MoD)

Unlike the VBMR Griffon and the Jaguar Armored Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle (EBRC), the Serval had not been tested in the harsh climate of the Sahel, as its delivery to the army coincided with France's withdrawal from the Sahel-Saharan strip. However, the military quickly sought to test the Serval in other operational conditions. The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (REC) had previously deployed several Jaguar vehicles to Estonia in May as part of the same Lynx mission.

In January, Colonel Patrick Ponzoni, then head of the French detachment in Estonia, announced that the Serval would be involved in the Lynx mission from August. Despite a slight delay, the recent arrival of the Serval in Estonia marks a significant step for the French Army in deploying its newest equipment.
The first four Serval vehicles were delivered to the Combat Support Center (CAPCIA) - 51st Infantry Regiment in Mourmelon, Marne. A year later, the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (RPIMa) became the first operational unit to be equipped with the Serval.

Designed to equip the rapid reaction force for national emergency response, the Serval is a 4x4 armored vehicle weighing between 15 and 17 tons, produced by KNDS France (formerly Nexter) in collaboration with Texelis. It shares several systems with other vehicles in the SCORPION program, such as vetronics and command information systems.

The operational projection in Estonia of this equipment is a major new capability milestone and marks an important step in the SCORPION modernization of the French Army (Picture source: French MoD)

Armed with a remotely operated turret with a 12.7 mm machine gun and threat detectors, the Serval can transport eight soldiers equipped with the FELIN (Integrated Dismounted Soldier) system, in addition to its two crew members. The vehicle has a range of 600 km and a maximum speed of 90 km/h.

The VBMR-L Serval was developed as part of the SCORPION program to meet the French Army's needs. Production began following a contract awarded in February 2018. The French Ministry of Defense plans to acquire more than 2,000 of these vehicles by 2030, with 978 expected to be in service by that date. The initial batch of 364 Servals was ordered in December 2020, with deliveries starting in 2022.

This deployment of the Serval in Estonia showcases its collaborative combat capabilities, along with its tactical and strategic mobility, which sets it apart from the Armored Forward Vehicle (VAB) it is meant to replace. According to the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT), these features enhance the versatility of the Serval in various operational environments.