RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLES

VBL

 

The Panhard Véhicule Blindé Léger ("Light armoured vehicle") - VBL is a wheeled 4x4 all-terrain vehicle offered in various configurations.

The Panhard Véhicule Blindé Léger ("Light armoured vehicle") - VBL is a wheeled 4x4 all-terrain vehicle offered in various configurations.

It was designed to combine the agility of the Peugeot VLTT liaison vehicle with adequate protection against small arms fire, artillery fragments, mines and NBC weapons.

The VBL is fully amphibious and can swim at 5.4 km/h ; it is also air transportable by C-130 and C-160, and the future A400M.


The VBL was developed during the 80s and entered operational service in France in 1990.
 

VBL Specifications
Type Four wheel drive light armoured vehicle
Manufacturer Panhard
Crew 3 - 4
Armament 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7mm machine gun, Milan, TOW or Mistral missile launcher dependant on variant
Length 4.1m
Height 1.7m
Width 2m
Weight 4 tonnes
Powerplant Peugeot turbo diesel engine producing 195hp
Performance Max speed 95km/h, range 600km
Variants There are many variants, falling into two main categories combat/anti-tank equipped variously with Milan, Eryx, 84 mm AT4CS munitions or TOW missiles for anti-tank role, Mistral missiles for air defence and reconnaissance and command equipped with 7.62mm, 12.7mm machine guns or 20mm automatic cannon