The VBMR Griffon, or shortly Griffon, has the challenging task of being the successor
of the legendary VAB.
Therefore, the engineers from the three major French defence companies combined their forces
for a job that was not so easy.
They had to create a new vehicle, which would be less complex and more affordable than the
current state-of-art examples in the market, but still highly effective.
As the Weapon Detective, we are now investigating the Griffon and how much it has achieved this
goal.
The Griffon was created by the EBMR consortium of Arquus, Nexter and Thales.
The VBMR comes from the initials of the French words "Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle", meaning
"Multirole Armoured Vehicle".
Because it fights on the ground and is an air and sea-transportable vehicle, the French
have also chosen the name of Griffon, a mythical creature.
Before we continue, we should note that the Griffon is replacing the higher-end versions
of the VAB in the higher-end missions.
Also, the French Army is partially taking the VBMR-L Serval for the battle taxi role.
The French Army began to seek a vehicle to replace the VAB in the early 2000s.
By studying the war experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, the French government defence procurement
and technology agency, Direction générale de l’armement, or shortly DGA, granted Arquus
an upstream studies plan to identify some concepts which would benefit the future VBMR
in 2010.
The company presented three different ideas.
After a careful study phase, Arquus developed the BMX01 demonstrator.
At the same time, another French defence company, Nexter, did similar development work and designed
the BMX02.
It would lead to the creation of the MRAP-class Titus later.
The DGA selected the BMX01 as the basis for the future VBMR.
However, it was not actually an open tender between Arquus and Nexter.
Paris wanted their major defence companies to cooperate in this project.
So, in 2014, France announced the consortium, called EBMR, formed by Arquus, Nexter and
Thales.
The EBMR was the abbreviation of Engins Blindés Multi-Rôles, meaning Multi-Role Armored Vehicles.
It would develop and produce not only the new VBMR but also the EBRC, which would replace
the AMX 10 RC and ERC 90 Sagaie reconnaissance and fire support vehicles and the VAB Mephisto,
a.k.a VAB HOT, anti-tank vehicle.
The VBMR and EBRC would share 70 per cent common components.
During the same announcement, the name Griffon for the VBMR and Jaguar for the EBRC were
also revealed.
In the EBMR consortium, Arquus is in charge of the mobility function, meaning developing
and producing the technology, from the wheel drive to the exhaust, including the chassis
axle, suspension, etc.
Besides, the company is responsible for the Hornet remote-controlled weapon stations with
a 12.7mm machine gun, which is also known as T1 in the French Army, and all the logistics
for spare parts.
Nexter is in charge of the armoured hulls, the ballistic and anti-mine/IED protection,
the CBRN equipment, the internal architecture, and the final assembly.
Thales is responsible for the SCORPION vetronics, the communication, vision, self-protection
and navigation systems.
The first prototype of the Griffon was presented in 2016.
One year later, the trials were conducted, in which the vehicle successfully fulfilled
all initial requirements.
In 2017, Belgium also ordered the Griffon to replace its Piranha IIICs and Dingo 2s.
The final configuration was revealed in 2018, and the serial production started in 2019.
Unlike many other military projects, all phases of the programme proceeded smoothly, and no
significant delay was encountered.
The French engineers did not prefer using off-the-shelf sub-systems, except the engine,
on the Griffon.
Surprisingly, this preference seems to have no considerable negative effect on the development
and manufacturing costs.
The high production volume has probably reduced the prices.
The vehicle is fitted with the SCORPION Combat Information System of the French Army to allow
troops to share information on the battlefield.
The SCORPION takes its name from the abbreviation of Synergie du COmbat Renforcée par la Polyvalence
et l'infovalorisatION, meaning Combat Synergy Reinforced by Versatility and Digitalization.
The DGA, the French Joint Chief of Staff and the French Army cooperatively launched the
programme in 2005, focused on air-land combat, as long-term prospective research.
The SCORPION gives the Griffon an efficient joint-operation capability with the Leclerc
main battle tanks, EBCR Jaguar, VBMR-L Serval, VBCI, VBL armoured vehicles, and Caesar self-propelled
howitzer in a network-centric warfare structure.
Also, thanks to this combat information system, the Griffon can establish a direct liaison
with the Light Aviation of the French Army helicopters.
For highly sophisticated sensors, displays and communication equipment, the Griffon has
an auxiliary power unit, which allows them to be used when the engine is not running.
The EBMR consortium is also working on a hybrid electric version of the Griffon, at first
for highly consuming versions, such as the command post.
The vehicle offers high comfort for its crew and passengers.
Compared with the VAB, the interior space is much more roomy and much less noisy.
Also, advanced automotive parts reduce vibration significantly.
The hull of the Griffon is resistant to up to 14.5mm rounds and shell splinters.
The ballistic protection can be increased depending on the mission using add-on kits
and slat armour.
Although no official data has ever been released, some sources claim that the vehicle can withstand
the explosion of a landmine containing a 10-kilogram TNT-equivalent explosive.
The French officials are content to say that this level is superior to what the VAB has.
Also, the Griffon's high ground clearance ensures that the blast effect of a possible
landmine or IED explosion has a minimum impact inside the crew compartment, which is strengthened
by spall liners.
Alongside the SCORPION network-centric warfare capability, the vehicle's sensors on the Hornet
remote-controlled weapon station, including day and night sighting, laser and missile
warning and the Metravib's SLATE acoustic sniper localization systems, increase the
survivability by enhancing situational awareness.
If an incoming missile or rocket is detected, the GALIX countermeasure system automatically
launches smoke grenades that operate in relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum
in the optimum direction.
It provides a 360-degree cover.
Besides, thanks to the network-centric warfare capability, one Griffon can automatically
launch countermeasures to protect another vehicle if its location and field of fire
are better than the endangered vehicle.
The French military doctrine prioritizes speed and mobility rather than armour in regard
to survivability.
So, the Griffon was designed as a fast and highly manoeuvrable vehicle and is comparable
to the VBCI in terms of mobility.
To ensure mobility, the Griffon has run-flat tyres, a central tire inflation system and
hydro-strut suspensions.
The time of removal/installation of the power pack is time less than 4 hours.
The engine compartment is at the front.
This design makes maintenance and repair easier compared to the previous VAB.
The Griffon also has a diagnostics suitcase/ toolbox.
The permanent 6x6 drive of the vehicle offers more off-road mobility compared to the 4x4
VAB.
Yet, unlike its predecessor, the Griffon has no amphibious capability.
The Hornet remote-controlled weapon station can be fitted with a 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine
gun or 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
It has a high accuracy even while the vehicle is on the move.
Also, the Akeron MP anti-tank missiles can be integrated into the turret.
But, currently, there is no such a plan.
After some modifications, the Hornet can be fitted with a 30mm gun.
The Belgian vehicles have an FN-Herstal-made remote-controlled weapon station.
Depending on possible future users, the Griffon can be equipped with heavier guns on different
turrets, such as 25mm or 40mm.
Besides the Griffon's personnel carrier variant, called VTT, France also ordered command and
artillery observation, mortar carrier, ambulance, combat engineering and CBRN defence variants
of the vehicle.
The mortar carrier model is called MEPAC, the abbreviation of the "Mortier Embarqué
Pour l'Appui au Contact".
The vehicle carries the 120mm 2R2M rifled mortar mounted on a 360-degree traversable
hydraulically-operated turntable.
Roof hatches are power-operated.
Thanks to onboard Thales-made computerized fire-control, automatic laying, and inertial
navigation systems, the MEPAC has high accuracy.
The 2R2M has a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute.
Also, some drawings have already shown the Griffon equipped with the 40mm RapidFire anti-aircraft
gun.
France and Belgium, the current users of the Griffon, ordered 1,872 and 382 vehicles, respectively.
The Belgian Griffons are being assembled by CMI Defense in Belgium.
The vehicle has a two-person crew consisting of a commander/gunner and driver and can carry
eight infantry.
The Griffon has a length of 7,7 metres, a width of 2.6 metres, and a height of 3.6 metres.
Its combat weight is 25 tons.
The 400-horsepower Volvo diesel engine provides a road speed of 90 kilometres per hour.
Its range is 800 kilometres.
The Griffon can negotiate 0.5-metre vertical steps and 0.9-metre trenches.
Why did the French Army, which already had the VBCI, require another wheeled armoured
vehicle, like the Griffon?
As mentioned in our Boxer video, France and Germany initiated a programme in 1993 to develop
a modular wheeled armoured vehicle.
Later, the United Kingdom joined the consortium.
However, in 1999, France left the partnership and decided to continue with its own VBCI
design, designed by the GIAT/RTD consortium, now Nexter/Arquus.
With the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, Germany continued the project, which led to
the development of the Boxer.
Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were seeking a battle taxi to replace their
fleet used in this role.
But, France needed an infantry fighting vehicle as the replacement for the AMX-10Ps.
So, the VBCI was designed as a front-line warrior, not a battle taxi.
Yet, by the 2010s, it was time to find a successor for the VAB.
France needed a new system, simple and affordable but highly effective because the potential
operational areas of the French Army required a VAB-like vehicle.
The Griffon is the child of this tactical thought.
It does the same job as the VAB but offers network-centric warfare capability alongside
superior mobility, ballistic protection, electronics, and firepower.
The best weapon system is the one that fulfils the operational requirements the most.
Offering higher ballistic protection or mobility is nothing but an expensive luxury if you
do not need them.
For a battle taxi, the simplicity and affordable prices are preferable choices.
Also, the combat capability, mobility and survivability of the Griffon are more than
enough for the current potential operational areas of the French Army.
Designed as the successor of the VAB, the Griffon is also an attractive choice for VAB
users other than France.
Today, the French defence industry can offer two individual vehicles for two specific jobs.
One is a sophisticated but expensive warrior for the infantry fighting vehicle roles.
And the other is a simpler and more affordable personnel carrier for battle taxi roles.
For many countries with modest budgets or low threat perceptions, having such an option
would be preferable.
Also, the Belgian acquisition programme has proved that the French are highly open to
industrial cooperation.
Besides, one of the parts of the EBMR consortium is Thales, which means if you chose the Griffon,
alongside the vehicle, you would also have the network-centric warfare capability given
by the SCORPION Combat Information System.
Thanks to its affordable price, the total number of the Griffon ordered by two countries
is higher than the Boxer ordered by six countries.
Yes, with its cutting-edge features, the Boxer is among the best in the wheeled armoured
vehicle market.
But only if you have adequate money.
Or if a relatively small fleet is enough for you.
The Griffon might answer the needs of the imminent future.
Currently, it indeed fulfils the requirement of France and Belgium.
Arquus, which continues the highly-prized traditions of Renault Trucks Defense, Panhard
and ACMAT, developed a new French armoured vehicle with its partners, Nexter and Thales.
And it can undoubtedly play crucial roles in the battlefield of the 21st century.
The Griffon has the potential to reach a large market just like the VAB.
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