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2020-11-08

Nexter Group, JCD Present Mock-up of Joint Product VBCI 8x8 at HEMUS

The Nexter Group, along with Belgium company John Cockerill Defense (JCD), presented a mock-up of a joint product - Nexter’s VBCI 8x8, on which JCD’s 30mm 3030 turret is integrated - at the 14th HEMUS exhibition in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The Nexter Group presented its defence solutions at the exhibition from 30 September to 3 October, while sharing the same stand with partner JCD.

The project concretises the cooperation recently initiated with Belgium that could serve as a model in Europe.

The intergovernmental agreement signed between France and Belgium seals a strategic alliance for the two armies, and also a long-term partnership for manufacturers in both countries.

The Nexter Group was represented at the HEMUS trade show by three of its subsidiaries, Nexter Systems, Nexter Robotics and Nexter Munitions.

The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA), meanwhile, has confirmed the delivery of 42 JAGUAR and 271 GRIFFON engines for the years 2022 and 2023, as scheduled in the 2019-2025 military programming law.

Among the new features, this tranche includes the delivery of the first GRIFFON Artillery Observation Vehicles (VOA) and GRIFFON Sanitary (SAN), which will join the Troop Transport Vehicle (TTV) and Command Post Vehicle (CPV) versions.

Collaborative Combat

The latest deliveries will contribute to the French Army’s ramp-up of the SCORPION programme. The new equipment, with the highest levels of protection and mobility, will provide users with new operational capabilities.

Collaborative combat, for example, consists in connecting all the SCORPION programme’s info-enhanced vehicles in real time.

The firing start detectors, telemetry tools and the many sensors integrated on the GRIFFON and JAGUAR communicate together to contribute to the decision making of the vehicle commander. The JAGUAR’s highly integrated and digitised turret and its innovative weapons, such as the CTA40 40 mm telescopic gun, the MMP medium-range missile and the Hornet remotely-operated turrets, substantially broaden their field of action.

These vehicles benefit from the latest technologies and innovations in the land-based field.

The Motorised Capability Programme (CaMo), notified to Nexter in 2019, plans to supply the Land component of the Belgian army with 382 GRIFFON multi-role armoured personnel carriers (MPCVs) and 60 JAGUAR armoured reconnaissance and combat vehicles (EBRCs).

Several Mock-ups

Nexter Systems unveiled several mock-ups on its stand.

The VBCI 3030 benefits jointly from Nexter’s know-how in terms of armoured vehicles and integration, as well as JCD’s expertise in the field of turrets.

In recent years, the VBCI has been successfully used by the French army in most theatres of operation (Afghanistan, Sahel, Central African Republic).

A version of the 6x6 TITUS armoured vehicle integrates a Nexter ARX20 turret. Two models of the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer were also presented, one with 6x6 mobility and the other with 8x8 mobility.

The CAESAR 6x6 self-propelled howitzer is a Nexter product in service in artillery regiments since 2008. The French army has used the CAESAR gun during most of its recent overseas operations where it has served in real engagement conditions and has given full satisfaction to its users.

Nexter produces and designs both CAESAR guns and ammunition. A wide range of conventional (LU 211 family) and smart (BONUS and KATANA) ammunition is available.

CAESAR is also available in an eight-wheel drive version for improved mobility, increased carrying capacity and enhanced protection. Nexter integrates systems capable of increasing the CAESAR’s capabilities: observation drones, handling robots and artillery C2s. Due to its combat experience – the longest and most varied in the 52-caliber class – the CAESAR enjoys an excellent reputation. Denmark and Morocco recently selected CAESAR to renew their fire support capabilities.

The robots of the Nerva range with their different modules were demonstrated by the Nexter Robotics teams around the stand. The French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) conducted an experiment on these micro-robots, which was concluded in 2019 with the order of 56 units as part of the SCORPION programme. Similarly, the Canadian Army received 88 robots.

Since their launch, NERVA products have been a great commercial success. Nexter Robotics is continuing to sell robots for export, particularly to Special Forces and intervention units.

Nexter exhibited several of its ammunition, ranging from 20 to 155mm. In the field of artillery, Nexter presented the family of 155mm “LU” shells (explosives, smoke, illuminants) and the BONUS intelligent shell that equip many NATO armies.

The stand also featured medium-calibre ammunition, 81mm and 120mm mortars and 76mm naval ammunition.

Three medium-calibre Nexter models of turret were also on display: the SH20 and the NC621 pod for aeronautical use, and the Narwhal for naval use. These mounts are used in about 60 countries.

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