In a significant achievement, Nexter, Arquus, and Thales have jointly presented the French armament general directorate (DGA) with the 500th Griffon (VBMR) multirole armored vehicle and the 50th Jaguar (EBRC) armored reconnaissance and fighting vehicle. These deliveries mark a major milestone in the Scorpion program, with the three industry partners successfully meeting their contractual obligations. The program entails the production and delivery of a total of 1,872 Griffons and 300 Jaguars. The successful delivery of the 500th Griffon and 50th Jaguar demonstrates the commitment and collaboration between Nexter, Thales, and Arquus in meeting the requirements of the Scorpion program. These modern armored vehicles will undoubtedly strengthen the capabilities of the French military and contribute to their operational effectiveness.
Nexter, a subsidiary of KNDS, plays a key role in the manufacturing process. The company assembles the vehicles, builds their armored aluminum bodies, and equips the interiors. Additionally, Nexter manufactures the turrets for the Jaguar at its Roanne facility. The use of high-precision machining and robotic welding ensures that the welded aluminum structure of both the Griffon and Jaguar offers the highest level of protection to military personnel. Nexter’s facilities in Bourges and La Chapelle Saint-Ursin are responsible for producing the Jaguar’s 40 mm cannon and telescoped munitions. Various Nexter sites and subsidiaries contribute to the program as well. NBC-Sys, located in Saint-Chamond, supplies CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) protection systems. Toulouse-based facilities manufacture onboard electronics and computers, while Saint-Etienne is the production site for vision systems produced by OPT-Sys. Nexter is also responsible for the final assembly and integration of components, provided by both Arquus and Thales, into the vehicles.
Arquus brings its expertise in ground mobility to the Scorpion program. The company designs and manufactures complete powertrains for the Griffon and Jaguar, encompassing engines, gearboxes, running gear, and other essential parts. These mobility kits are produced at Arquus’ center of excellence for new vehicle production in Limoges, and then integrated into the vehicles at Nexter’s Roanne facility. Arquus manufactures the engines for the vehicles at its Marolles-en-Hurepoix site, which serves as the company’s center of excellence for engine militarization. A dedicated team from Arquus provides technical expertise and quality assurance throughout the integration process in Roanne. Additionally, Arquus manufactures the T1, T2, and T3 remotely operated turrets at its Marolles-en-Hurepoix site. These turrets are common components of the Scorpion program and are utilized in the Griffon, Jaguar, and Serval (VBMR-L) light multi-role armored vehicle.
Thales plays a crucial role in enabling vehicle interconnection within the Scorpion program. The company provides vehicle vetronics and data systems that facilitate networked deployment and collaborative engagements. This includes the implementation of Scorpion vetronics, onboard sensors, secure communication systems, and self-protection systems with collaborative combat algorithms. Thales is also responsible for the radars and sensor payload for the artillery observation vehicle (VOA). The onboard computing architecture developed by Thales interconnects various systems within the vehicles, including navigation, protection, observation, and communication systems. This integration enhances the intelligence and response capabilities of deployed units, giving them a significant advantage in theater of operations.
