Photo Gallery
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Before disassembly, with coloured tags showing the status of the various subcomponents -
Hulls are sent to the Garchizy plant where they are renovated and painted with the new France earth colour adopted by the French Army. -
At Garchizy the hulls are fitted with the mounting points where add-on armour will be fitted at a later stage. -
The cabin where anti-noise mats are glued inside the hull. -
At Station 10 the hull is fitted with all hydraulic pipes and components. -
Rear and front axles are installed at Station 20. -
Station 30 sees the fitting of sub-components such as the braking system. -
A close-up of the upgraded brake fitted with the ABS system. -
A VBL Ultima, now on its wheels, moves forward along the assembly line. -
A close-up of the new rear suspension. -
Fitting the electric wiring at Station 40. -
Station 50 is where the new 130 hp engine is fitted into the VBL Ultima. -
Once the cooling system is installed, the engine is started for the first time. -
Checking convergence and bleeding brakes at Station 70. -
A close-up of the VBL Ultima powerpack. -
A first check is conducted at Station 80, before rolling out the vehicle at Station 90. -
No trespassing; VBL Ultima ready for inspection by DGA officials. -
Some VBL Ultima ready for delivery at Marolles; a second assembly line was created at the Saint-Nazaire facility. -
A vehicle ready for testing, in its new French earth camouflage. -
Arquus delivered to the DGA 55 VBLs and 15 VB2Ls, more vehicles being ready for delivery. -
VBLs Ultima currently produced will be fitted with the add-on armour at a later stage. -
A VBL Ultima on the side slope; the new engine will ensure batter mobility and a higher maximum speed. -
On the ramp; brakes were improved to cope with the higher GVW. -
The VBL Ultima, on the left, passes by the first prototype of the VBL displayed as a gate guardian at the Marolles-en-Hurepoix facility. The different MLC class shows well the weight increase.
