The defence authorities of France and Belgium have entered a new era in their strategic partnership by signing a document that outlines the key features of the future VBAE (Engagement Support Armoured Vehicle) project. Signed on 19 May, this memorandum stands out as a critical milestone that concretises industrial and operational cooperation between the two countries under the CaMo strategic partnership.
Next‑Generation Capabilities on the Battlefield
Signed by Brigadier General Baugnée, Commander of the Land Forces, and General de Corps d’Armée Patrick Justel, the document reveals that the VBAE platform is being shaped around the needs of the high‑intensity battlefield. Designed in close cooperation between French and Belgian staff, the vehicle is intended to support the JAGUAR systems. The VBAE will actively take part in detecting and neutralising threats, thereby directly contributing to the operational capability of JAGUAR vehicles.
Technical Specifications and Operational Objectives
According to OCCAR, the VBAE is expected to have a maximum gross weight of 8 tonnes and will be equipped with enhanced armour protection against mines, IEDs and projectiles. The 4×4 platform, which can carry a crew of three, is being designed to be air‑transportable by Airbus A400M aircraft. The weapon systems planned for the vehicle include a remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) for medium calibres, manually operated small‑calibre turrets, as well as missile and rocket options.
Design Focused on Reconnaissance and Intelligence
The technical backbone of the project shows that the VBAE is not just an armoured vehicle but also a comprehensive reconnaissance platform. The vehicle is being optimised to carry out deep reconnaissance missions and to gather specialised intelligence data within an extended tactical depth. In addition, the platform is being designed with equipment that allows it to serve as a command‑and‑control vehicle on the battlefield.
The design phase (Stage 1) of the VBAE project was awarded in December 2023 to a consortium comprising Arquus, KNDS and John Cockerill Defense. This effort reflects the shared goals of both nations to develop modern, interoperable and sovereign defence capabilities. The industrial cooperation between Belgium and France is a tangible demonstration of co‑development capacity within the European defence industry ecosystem.
🔍 You might also like
Source: C4Defence– Belgium Army- OCCAR
