Rumors and prospects. VBL armored cars for Ukraine
A train with VBL armored cars in the Czech Republic, October 2023. Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
Already in February-March 2022, the Kiev regime began asking foreign patrons to provide it with modern armored combat vehicles of various classes and types. Some of these requests were subsequently fulfilled, while others were actually ignored. In particular, Ukraine tried to beg VBL multi-purpose armored vehicles from France, but did not even receive promises to supply them. However, according to recent rumors and assessments, such requests could be heard.
Requests and refusals
NATO countries, primarily the United States, began supplying the Kyiv regime with military-technical assistance several years ago. Ukraine compiled lists of desired products, and foreign partners decided whether to provide them or not. Thus, over the past years, information has appeared several times about the desire of Ukrainian formations to receive French VBL armored vehicles. However, requests for the supply of such equipment, if there were any, remained unanswered.
The topic of French armored cars was raised again at the beginning of April 2022. In connection with the start of the Russian Special Operation, the Ukrainian leadership began to ask foreign countries for any help. In particular, they again wanted to receive VBL cars from France. The corresponding document from Kyiv noted that we are talking about 250 armored cars that were previously removed from service with the French army and placed in storage.
These vehicles have long been taken out of service and are actually not needed by the French army, but they were not given to Kyiv. However, Paris found an opportunity to help the Ukrainian formations without VBL armored cars. Other types of equipment and weapons were supplied to Ukraine, incl. armored vehicles with higher tactical and technical characteristics.
According to new data
Recently, VBL armored cars have again attracted attention, and this time there have been speculations about the possible supply of such equipment to Ukraine. However, this version is based on ambiguous assessments and does not yet have any direct evidence.
Piranha armored personnel carrier on platforms. Photo Telegram / "Fisherman"
On October 14, the well-known telegram channel “Rybar” reported that in the city of Chocen in the north-east of the Czech Republic, a military train with a curious cargo was seen moving in the direction of Slovakia. The platforms carried several tanks Leopard 2, Piranha armored personnel carriers and no less than eight VBL armored vehicles in the characteristic camouflage livery of the French ground forces. TO news Attached were a couple of photographs of the train and its cargo.
It is unknown where different types of armored vehicles were transported and for what purpose. Information about Paris's plans to supply light armored cars to any countries in Eastern Europe has also not appeared recently. At the same time, the presence of actual transportation and the absence of official communication to date have become one of the signs of assistance to Ukraine.
In this regard, “Rybar” suggests that “Piranhas” could be transported to one of the Eastern European countries for the purpose of rotating units and/or updating the fleet. In turn, VBL could be intended for Ukraine. The authors of the channel also note that this technique has certain advantages, and Ukrainian formations could use them in practice.
It should be noted that a train with VBL armored cars and other equipment passed through the Czech Republic a week ago. By now it should have reached its destination, and all its cargo should have reached its recipients. In addition, if the cars were really intended for the Kyiv regime, then one would expect that he would talk about their receipt, or information of this kind would appear unofficially.
However, no reports of the appearance of VBL in Ukraine have yet appeared. Probably, this equipment was transported to another Eastern European country for the purpose of deployment within the framework of international NATO programs. However, the Ukrainian version cannot yet be completely ruled out, although it does not look the most likely.
VBL in basic configuration. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
In the light class
The “light armored vehicle” Véhicule Blindé Léger or VBL was developed by the French company Panhard in the first half of the eighties for the French armed forces. It was created as a lightweight multi-purpose protected platform for transporting people and cargo, as well as solving related combat missions.
Testing of experimental VBLs began in 1982, and already in 1984-85. the first orders for mass production appeared. France became the starting customer. Subsequently, she placed several additional orders, and in total purchased more than 1600 armored cars. The equipment was produced in several modifications and with different equipment and weapons. Production continued until 2010.
The VBL machine enjoyed some popularity abroad. So, almost simultaneously with France, Mexico placed its order. Subsequently, new export contracts appeared. A total of 18 foreign countries bought VBLs or received them as aid from the French army.
At one time, Paris reduced its fleet of armored vehicles and took some of the vehicles out of service. In particular, several hundred VBL armored cars were sent to storage sites. It was these that the Kiev regime asked to provide last year.
Features and Benefits
The VBL product is a light multi-purpose armored vehicle on a wheeled chassis. It is intended for use as a transport or carrier of various loads and has high mobility characteristics. The possibility of transportation by air and parachute landing is provided.
Armored cars in a column. Photo: Wikimeia Commons
The vehicle is built on the basis of a load-bearing armored hull. In order to facilitate the design, level 1 armor of the STANAG 4569 standard was used - the vehicle is protected only from non-armor-piercing bullets of the 7,62x51 mm NATO rifle cartridge and from the explosion of a hand grenade under the bottom. The hull has a hood layout and a habitable compartment of the largest possible size. There are two versions of the case, differing slightly in length.
Initially, the armored cars were equipped with a Peugeot XD3T diesel engine with a power of 90 hp. and automatic transmission. The latest modernization project used a new 130 hp diesel engine. With a combat weight of up to 4 tons, such engines accelerate the vehicle to 95 km/h. It is possible to swim using a water cannon.
In the basic configuration, the VBL armored car carries a 7,62 mm AN-F1 machine gun in an open mounting or a large-caliber M2HB (reconnaissance modification). There are also versions with a remote-controlled combat module for a machine gun. A command and staff modification, various self-propelled anti-tank systems, etc. were produced.
Practical benefits
Depending on the modification and equipment, the Panhadr VBL armored vehicle can solve different tasks and be used in various operations. Over decades of operation, this vehicle served as a protected transport for personnel, patrolled various areas, escorted convoys, etc. In all cases, operators tried to maximize the strengths of the design and reduce the impact of its disadvantages.
The positive qualities of the VBL armored car are its low weight and the associated high mobility. The machine is capable of moving at high speed on roads, off-road and water, as well as overcoming various obstacles. Without any significant modifications, an armored vehicle can carry various weapons or special equipment and solve the corresponding tasks.
Interior of the commander modification. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
At the same time, there are also characteristic disadvantages. First of all, this is a reservation. The VBL vehicle is protected only from small arms fire weapons, and not all classes and types. There is virtually no mine protection. As a result, any meeting with an enemy that has standard weapons for the current time is associated with a high risk of damage or complete destruction of the armored car.
The hypothetical delivery of VBL armored cars to Ukraine will have quite understandable consequences. Most likely, they would try to use these vehicles, like other equipment, as armored personnel carriers for a “counter-offensive.” Considering its features and characteristics, one can assume a high level of losses from almost all fire weapons - and a complete failure of the assigned tasks.
Deliveries in question
According to official reports, France has not yet transferred its VBL light armored cars to Ukraine. This is probably due to the obvious uselessness of such supplies, due to the technical features of these machines. At the same time, the French army provided “wheeled tanks” with higher performance and promised to provide other types of armored vehicles.
The transferred equipment performed poorly - the Ukrainian formations lost some of the vehicles, and several went to the Russian army as trophies. In light of these events, sending lightweight VBLs with lower performance to Ukraine would not be the most logical step. And in Paris, it seems, they are not going to do it.
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