Photo Gallery
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.
