Home  /  News  /  Launching of Pre-Design Phase of Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) Programme with Signature of VBAE contract

Dec 6 2023

Launching of Pre-Design Phase of Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) Programme with Signature of VBAE contract

Paris 6 December 2023 – OCCAR, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, has signed with ARQUUS, and NEXTER, a (company of KNDS), the VBAE contract on behalf of the OCCAR VBAE Participating States Belgium and France.

The VBAE Programme stems from the need of the French and Belgian armies for a modern, innovative light armoured vehicle, fully integrated into the battlefield information system and offering a high added value in terms of reconnaissance and combat.

The VBAE Programme covers the preparation and definition phase anticipating further development, production and ISS contract in the near future. The overall value of this first phase is 15 M€ and it will last approximately two years.

The VBAE Programme takes advantage from studies performed in the frame of European projects, such as EDIDP FAMOUS and EDF FAMOUS II, in which ARQUUS and NEXTER are part of the beneficiaries. The Belgian company John Cockerill Defense (JCD), also member of the FAMOUS consortium, will be a major sub-contractor.