Promising armored vehicle for the French army - EBRC Jaguar
BRM EBRC Jaguar on the test track
Currently, the French ground forces are implementing a major rearmament program and are switching to new models of light and medium armored combat vehicles of various classes. Thus, in the field of combat reconnaissance vehicles, rearmament is carried out through the new EBRC Jaguar product. This BRM was built using new components and technologies that improved all the main characteristics.
Joint development
In December 2014, the French Ministry of Defense launched the promising Scorpion program. Its goal was to create several new types of equipment, incl. armored personnel carrier VBMR Griffon and reconnaissance vehicle EBRC (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat) Jaguar. These products were supposed to enter service no later than 2020 and gradually replace the outdated AMX-10RC and ERC-90 vehicles in the army.
The development of the two projects was entrusted to a consortium consisting of Nexter Systems (now part of KNDS), Renault Trucks Defense and Thales. Design work on two armored vehicles was estimated at 752 million euros. According to the terms of the signed contracts, the Nexter company was supposed to carry out overall coordination of the project, as well as develop housings and equipment protection. Renault was to create the power plant and chassis, and Thales was responsible for the electronic component of the project.
The goal of the EBRC Jaguar project was to create a medium-weight reconnaissance vehicle with high mobility, protection and firepower characteristics. For this it was proposed to use modern technologies and components. Because of this, the French Ministry of Defense later called the Jaguar the most complex piece of locally developed technology.
The customer also wanted to reduce costs for the Scorpio program as a whole. According to the original assignment, the cost of the EBRC Jaguar car should not exceed 1 million euros. To do this, it was necessary to unify two promising models and take other measures. Thus, the Griffon armored personnel carrier was supposed to consist of 70% Jaguar parts. However, it was not possible to reduce the cost of the finished BRM to the required limit, and it continued to grow.
Despite all the difficulties and limitations, the Jaguar project was completed in just a few years. In 2016-17 Nexter Systems, together with other contractors, built the first prototype Jaguars for testing. Testing of equipment at the test site continued until 2020-21, and the prototypes coped with the assigned tasks. Based on the test results, two new armored vehicles received a recommendation for adoption.
In the process of rearmament
Since the start of the Scorpio project, French officials have repeatedly spoken about the need to purchase a large number of vehicles of two new types. At the same time, the exact numbers were not announced at first, and then began to change upward. In 2020, final plans were announced - the French army was going to order 300 EBRC Jaguars and more than 1870 VBMR Griffons.
In April 2017, the French Ministry of Defense placed the first order for mass production of new generation equipment. It included 20 Jaguar BRMs and approx. 320 Griffon armored personnel carrier. In September 2021, another contract appeared for 42 Jaguars and 270 Griffins. It was planned to spend several years completing these orders, and after that new ones would be placed.
It should be recalled that in the 2014 technical specifications, the cost of a serial Jaguar BRM was limited to 1 million euros. As development progressed, the estimated price of the equipment gradually increased, and the customer was forced to remove restrictions. As a result, in two contracts for mass production, the cost of one armored vehicle reaches 5-6 million euros.
According to known data, from 2020 to the present, the French army has received at least 25-30 EBRC Jaguar combat reconnaissance vehicles. They entered several army units and replaced their old ERC-90 products. This process will continue in the future until all relevant units and units receive modern equipment.
First test launch of the Akeron MP rocket, May 2021
Even at the development stage, the new French BRM attracted the interest of the Belgian army. As a result, by the end of 2018, an agreement appeared for the supply of equipment from the Scorpion family in the amount of approx. 1,5 billion euros. The Belgian army wants 60 new imported infantry fighting vehicles and approx. 380 standardized armored personnel carriers. With the help of French Jaguars they will replace the existing ATF Dingo armored cars.
Under the terms of the contract, French enterprises will manufacture the main units and send them to Belgium. Final assembly will take place at the customer's facilities. The Belgian army will receive the first batch of equipment in 2025. In 2026, deliveries of French Akeron MP missiles will begin for use on new armored vehicles.
On new solutions
The EBRC Jaguar is an armored combat vehicle on a wheeled chassis designed to perform multiple missions. First of all, this is reconnaissance - patrols and raids in specified areas in order to search for certain objects. If necessary, the BRM can independently hit a found target using various fire weapons. In addition, the Jaguar can be used to escort infantry, convoys, etc.
The vehicle is built on the basis of a hull with a front control compartment, a central fighting compartment and an aft engine compartment. The characteristically shaped hull is welded from aluminum parts and equipped with applied armor. This protection can withstand 14,5 mm bullets, fragments of 155 mm shells or the explosion of 10 kg of TNT under the wheel or bottom, which corresponds to level 4 of the STANAG 4569 standard.
The protection of the BRM has been enhanced by several additional systems. On board there are sensors for detecting missile launches and 14 smoke grenade launchers to counter guided weapons. An airborne jamming station is used against radio-controlled explosive devices.
At the rear of the hull there is a 500 hp diesel engine. An automatic transmission with torque distribution to all wheels is used. Suspension – hydropneumatic with the ability to control ground clearance. Key components of the power plant and chassis are borrowed from commercial trucks.
With a combat weight of 25 tons, the EBRC Jaguar has high performance characteristics. The maximum speed on the highway reaches 90 km/h, the range is 800 km. Provides movement on off-road and rough terrain with obstacles.
The Jaguar carries a full-size turret with weapons and various equipment. The front part of the hood and the side compartments are dedicated to the placement of weapons and necessary equipment. In the center there are workplaces and hatches for two crew members. Due to the installation of various systems and devices, the tower has large dimensions and a distinctive appearance.
The basic one weapons The BRM is a 40 mm CT40 automatic cannon from CT International. The gun uses 40x225 mm telescopic shots and is equipped with a rotating breech to receive them. All this reduces the size of the gun and ammunition system while achieving high fire performance. The gun's ammunition will include several types of shells - fragmentation, air blast, armor-piercing, etc. The design of the gun mount allows firing at an elevation angle of up to 45°.
On the left on the roof of the turret there is a combat module with a 7,62 mm machine gun. On the starboard side there is a retractable launcher for Akeron MP (formerly MMP) guided missiles. Launch range – up to 5 km.
All weapons of the combat vehicle are controlled by a single digital fire control system. It includes a panoramic commander's sight and a forward-facing gunner's sight. Both devices have a day and night channel, as well as a laser rangefinder. To monitor the shooting results, the Metravib Pilar V locator is used. The devices are interfaced with a ballistic computer that has a number of necessary functions. Provides own weather station, etc.
The crew of the Jaguar BRM consists of three people. The driver is located in the control compartment in the bow of the hull. Its place on top is covered with a small pilothouse with extensive glazing and good visibility. The commander and gunner-operator are located inside the fighting compartment and enter it through the turret hatches. Automated workstations with remote control of almost all processes are designed for them.
As part of all new projects, including Scorpio, the French army pays great attention to the development of communication and control systems, as well as the so-called. network-centric technologies. As a result, the Jaguar will be able to exchange large amounts of data with other combat vehicles, units or higher commanders. This should improve the efficiency of the exploration process and provide other benefits.
Technique of the future
Thus, as part of the Scorpion program, France has developed and brought to mass production a new combat reconnaissance vehicle, with the help of which in the distant future it plans to update the army fleet and replace outdated models. To date, approx. 30 EBRC Jaguar products, which is about 10% of the planned quantity. However, production will continue and has every chance of meeting the target of 300 armored vehicles.
The Jaguar project is of interest from a technical point of view. It shows what a promising BRM should look like according to the French army. This car was made on the original chassis, built, however, on available commercial units. They used a developed protection complex, including not only armor, but also additional means. The weapons complex was based on a promising weapon with special capabilities and supplemented with missiles. Also, special attention was paid to on-board electronics for various purposes.
A combat reconnaissance vehicle of this design passed the tests and satisfied the customer. This shows its compliance with the technical requirements and intended operating conditions. However, due to the small number and recent start of service, EBRC Jaguar products have not yet had time to fully show themselves and demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses. Whether the French army correctly assessed this model, only time and experience will tell.
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