Military Vehicles [France]: Renault VAB (Armée de Terre)

Language of Video Presentation: English.

The VAB (French:Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) or in English, "Armoured Vanguard Vehicle", is an armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976 and around 5000 were produced.

The VAB was designed as a wheeled troop transporter, complementing the tracked AMX-10P. Specifications for the project called for an NBC-proof (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical), amphibious, lightly armoured vehicle to provide infantry with basic protection against shrapnels and light infantry weapons. These features were dictated by its possible usage in the event of an all-out conventional war breaking out against the Warsaw Pact; in particular, the amphibious capabilities were needed to bridge the rivers in Eastern France and in Germany.

Renault prototype was selected in May 1974, with 4000 units ordered. The first delivery occurred in 1976. With a modest 13-tonne mass, the VAB can easily be airlifted for deployment abroad. It is also capable of tracking a 4-tonne trailer. The large wheels of the VAB allow it to sustain up to 60% grades, and road/rail canting of up to 30%.

The amphibious design of the hull, the relatively light weight and the armour upgrade seem to give the VAB strong resistance against mines: when exposed to an explosion from below, the VAB tends to be lifted in the air, which allows most of the strength of the explosion to be dispersed away from the vehicle; furthermore, the shape of the hull and the disposition of the wheels deflect the shock wave, helping to maintain hull integrity.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9hicule_de_l%27Avant_Blind%C3%A9

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Renault
• VAB
• Véhicule
• de
• l'Avant
• Blindé
• Armoured
• Armored
• Vanguard
• Vehicle
• Personnel
• Carrier
• France
• French
• Army
• Military
• Armée
• Terre

[Puzzoozoo]

One of the great success stories of french military exports, and only the Russian BTR is as successful.