113 Griffon and 18 Jaguar: Nexter, Arquus and Thales have met their delivery targets for 2022

Versailles, December 22, 2022 – The temporary consortium of companies (GME) multi-role armored vehicle (EBMR), which includes Nexter, Thales and Arquus, delivered 113 GRIFFON vehicles and 18 JAGUAR vehicles to the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) this year.

• The GME EBMR thus achieves its delivery target for 2022.
• In 2022 the DGA placed an additional order for 88 JAGUAR, 302 GRIFFON and 54 MEPAC.

Continuation of deliveries and qualification

Nexter, Thales and Arquus ensured all deliveries of GRIFFON and JAGUAR scheduled for 2022, in accordance with the 2019-2025 military programming law. Thus, since 2019, 452 GRIFFON and 38 JAGUAR have been delivered to the DGA. In parallel, the GME EBMR ensured in 2022 the development of a new version of the GRIFFON configured as an ambulance vehicle; the GRIFFON SAN will allow the care and evacuation of the injured. This new version was qualified on September 12, 2022 by the DGA. It is equipped with a medical module, fittings adapted to the storage and integration of medical equipment, and a system for assisting the loading of the injured consisting of a mobile table and a lifting winch. The interior configuration can accommodate seated or lying wounded with a capacity of four stretchers. The SAN version has all the elements common to the other GRIFFON versions (mobility, arming, protection and connectivity).

An innovation in energy

In June 2022, the GME EBMR also jointly presented the results of the risk reduction study on the integration of Lithium-ion batteries in military vehicles. Conducted on a model and on a GRIFFON prototype, this experiment enabled the teams of DGA Techniques Terrestres center expertise and testing and those of the GME EBMR to test the complete system. These new batteries will be able to power the increasing number of electrical equipment of tomorrow while maintaining the current standby time, and recharging twice as fast. The study conducted by the GME thus opens the way to new options for equipping the most energy-hungry vehicles in theaters of operations.

SCORPION, an ambitious program

The JAGUAR armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle (EBRC) and the GRIFFON multi-role armored vehicle (VBMR) were developed as part of the SCORPION program led by the DGA, alongside the SERVAL light VBMR vehicle. They are natively designed to implement the SCORPION combat information system (SICS). SICS empowers our soldiers to conduct collaborative combat, through real-time communication of information between different units and digitization of the battlefield. Thus, in the event of a high-intensity conflict, the Army will be assured of being one step ahead of its adversary. To implement these new combat capabilities, the first SCORPION combined arms brigade (BIA) will be formed at the end of 2023.

The JAGUAR is a 25-ton armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle (EBRC), armed with a 40mm cannon with telescoped ammunition (CTA) and the MMP missile.

The JAGUAR is a unique vehicle on several levels

• its turret combines three state-of-the-art weapon systems: the 40mm CTA cannon from Nexter, two medium-range missiles (MMP) from MBDA and the remotely operated T3 turret;
• its state-of-the-art vetronics, developed by Thales, notably includes the latest generation optronics (IR/TV, missile launch detector, laser alert detector, etc.) and an on-board tactical training capability;
• its new-generation chassis, developed by Arquus, its six-wheel drive, its innovative suspension and its 400CV engine for 25 tonnes give it exceptional tactical, operational and strategic mobility.

The GRIFFON is a 24-ton multi-role armored vehicle (VBMR). Its many versions allow it to carry out multiple missions: troop transport, command post, communication relay, artillery observation or even 120mm mortar (MEPAC). Deployed in 2021 in the Sahel by the French Army, the GRIFFON is appreciated for its operational qualities, its mobility and its ease of maintenance. It shares equipment common to other SCORPION vehicles such as vetronics and SICS, as well as the remotely-operated Hornet cupola.

Unofficial translation by EDR On-Line

Photo courtesy GME EBMR