Christopher F Foss gives us an overview of Nexter’s VBCI. The Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie 2 or VCBI 2 (French for “armoured vehicle for infantry combat”) is an 8*8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle developed by the French company Nexter Systems as a private venture. It was revealed publicly for the first time in 2015. The vehicle is an improved version of VBCI. It was built for potential export customers. Its developers took into consideration combat experience from the original VBCI in Mali and feedback from tests. A new engine, new air conditioner, and new vision cameras have been added. Images of cameras can be displayed on the commander’s, gunner’s or driver’s stations. There is another display in the troop compartment for the dismounts. The driver’s station is fitted with a thermal viewer for operation at night.
