The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA, Direction générale de l’armement) has received 100 additional Arquus VT4 light tactical vehicles, bringing the number of vehicles received this year to 1,000 out of the 1,200 expected, and the total number of VT4s received since the launch of the French Military Programming Law (LPM) 2019-2025 to 4,000. The majority of the vehicles are destined for the French Army, the French Directorate General of Armaments noted in a 3 March statement. The Arquus VT4, known as the TRAPPER by the French converter, became the standard light utility vehicle of the French armed forces in 2018. The vehicles will replace the ageing Peugeot P4 off-road vehicle fleet, which has been operational with the French armed forces since 1983.
The Arquus TRAPPER VT4 is a military personnel carrier that is capable of performing cargo transport, patrol, command, and liaison missions developed by Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense). The VT4 is a mission-specific version of the Arquus TRAPPER, which was earlier a part of the second-generation Light Tactical Vehicle family developed by ACMAT, a subsidiary of Arquus Defense. Based on a commercial Ford Everest 4×4 design, which is the five-door body version of the Ford Ranger T6 model two-door pick-up truck, the Arquus TRAPPER is designed to carry five troops or four soldiers equipped with the FELIN system. Arquus equips the vehicles with weapon mounts and removable glazing protection.
The TRAPPER VT4 is in service with the French Army in configurations of Standard 1 and 2. The VT4 Standard 1 configuration comes with a base package of the Standard 2 specifications, while the Standard 2 version is installed with a pre-equipment package allowing for the integration of modern communication systems and other mission-specific equipment required for overseas deployments. The Standard 2 vehicle incorporates 350 new features along with advanced capabilities compared to Standard 1. The modern communication and positioning systems, additional racks, towing equipment, and blackout lights form part of the new package.
The VT4 is now present in units throughout France, both in mainland France and in French overseas departments and territories, from French Guyana to the Pacific. With its high performance and its versatility, the VT4 proves its qualities every day in all terrains and situations. The vehicles are still to be produced at the Arquus site in Saint-Nazaire. The VT4s have recently undergone their first external operation with a deployment in Lebanon as part of Operation Friendship. Within the Groupement Terrestre Ventoux, VT4s have contributed to missions in support of the population, including liaison and transportation of personnel and equipment. The VT4 program represents a total of 150 jobs for Arquus in the Saint-Nazaire and Versailles employment areas.
