Earlier this November month, the Griffon and the Jaguar were submitted to embarkation and disembarkation tests carried on with a Landing Craft Utility (CTM/Chaland de Transport de Matériel) and Landing Craft Utilities catamaran (EDAR/Engin de Débarquement Amphibie) of the French navy. The goal of these operational tests is to make sure these vehicles can embark on and disembark from the amphibious means currently used by the French navy. The ageing CTMs will be replaced by the new EDA-S starting in mid-2020.
The ongoing Jaguar and Griffon qualification tests program is conducted in collaboration between the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), the Technical Section of the French Army (STAT) and the industrial contractors: Nexter, Thales and Arquus. The tests cleared those doubts. The excellent mobility of both vehicle types enables them to land on an unprepared beach and immediately start their combat mission. The tests were progressive, starting from a concrete ramp, then from a wharf, and finally, embarkation from and landing on an unprepared beach with the support of engineer wheeled vehicles.
The VBMR Griffon (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles) is a French 6×6 Multi-Role armored vehicle that will replace the French Army’s VAB armored personnel carrier. The Griffon is equipped with a remote weapons station that can be armed with either a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The addition of two Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) anti-tank guided missiles is optional. Eight launchers for smoke grenades are fitted to the remote weapon station, which also includes an acoustic sniper localisation system. The vehicle has also been bought by the Belgian army.
The EBRC Jaguar (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Comba) is a French armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle that will replace the French Army’s VCAC, AMX 10 RC and ERC 90 Sagaie reconnaissance and fire support vehicles. The vehicle is built with STANAG 4569 Level 4 armor protection, giving it defense against 14.5×114mm armor-piercing rounds, 155mm artillery shell splinters, and 10 kg (22 lb) mine blasts. The Jaguar’s primary weapon, mounted in a two-man turret, is the CTA International CT40 cannon firing 40mm case telescoped ammunition with a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 1,500 meters.