French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) ordered 313 armoured vehicles as part of Scorpion army modernisation program. The order includes 42 Jaguar combat vehicles and 271 Griffon multirole armoured vehicles. Nexter, Arquus and Thales are part of the program.
The 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM) provides for both an increase in the numbers of the SCORPION program and an acceleration of deliveries. The target in 2030 was thus raised to 1,872 Griffon and 300 Jaguar vehicles.
After an initial order in 2017 for 319 Griffons and 20 Jaguars, the DGA awarded to the companies Nexter Systems, Arquus and Thales, a second phase vehicle production contract. Vehicles will be delivered to the forces between 2022 and 2023.
The Griffon is a Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (VBMR) intended to replace Front-line Armoured Vehicles (VAB). Weighing around 25 tonnes, it is equipped with a 6-wheel drive and a remotely operated cupola. It comes in several versions: troop transport, command post, artillery observation and medical evacuation.
Weighing around 25 tonnes, Jaguar is an Armoured Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle (EBRC) with 6-wheel drive. It is intended to replace the AMX10RC and Sagaie wheeled light tanks, as well as the VAB variant armed with HOT anti-tank missiles. It will be equipped with the 40 mm telescoped ammunition gun produced in Franco-British cooperation, the medium-range missile (MMP) and a remotely operated cupola.
In addition to Nexter Systems, Thales and Arquus, the program also involves Safran for the optronics and armament of the Jaguar, CTA International for its 40 mm gun and MBDA for its MMPs.
