France has launched two major new land programmes for up to 2,328 wheeled armoured vehicles as part of the French Army's Scorpion modernisation programme, it has been revealed.
A request for proposal (RfP) for the Véhicules Blindés Multi-roles (VBMR) and Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance au Combat (EBRC) programmes has been issued by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), French Army chief of staff General Bertrand Ract Madoux confirmed on 21 January.
Under the French defence programming act (LPM) of 2013, France will buy 2,080 VBMRs and 248 EBRCs. First deliveries are planned for 2018 and 2020 respectively. Restricted to only French companies, the RfP was released on 20 December 2013, Gen Ract Madoux stated.